UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 40-F
☐ | Registration Statement pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
or
☒ | Annual Report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021
Commission File Number: 001-39966
.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
British Columbia, Canada |
| 1040 |
| |
(Province or other jurisdiction of | (Primary Standard Industrial | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
Suite 1430 - 800 West Pender Street
Vancouver, BC
Canada V6C 2V6
Tel: 604-562-9664
(Address and telephone number of Registrant’s principal executive offices)
C T Corporation System
28 Liberty Street
New York, New York 10005
Telephone: (212) 894-8940
(Name, address (including zip code) and telephone number (including area code) of agent for service in the United States)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class |
| Trading Symbol(s) |
| Name of each exchange on which registered |
Common Shares, no par value | NFGC | The NYSE American LLC |
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: None
For annual reports, indicate by check mark the information filed with this Form:
☒ Annual Information Form | ☒ Audited Annual Financial Statements |
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report:
164,205,700 Common Shares outstanding as of December 31, 2021
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit such files).
Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Emerging growth company ☒
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the Registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This annual report on Form 40-F (the “Annual Report”) of New Found Gold Corp. (the “Company”) contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (referred to together herein as “forward-looking information”). Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “continue”, “plans” or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements and information are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this Annual Report, and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding discussions of results from operations (including, without limitation, statements about the Company’s opportunities, strategies, competition, expected activities and expenditures as the Company pursues its business plan, the adequacy of the Company’s available cash resources and other statements about future events or results), performance (both operational and financial) and business prospects, future business plans and opportunities and statements as to management’s expectations with respect to, among other things, the activities contemplated in this Annual Report.
Forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report include, without limitation, statements related to the Company’s Queensway Project located in Newfoundland, Canada (the “Queensway Project”) and the Company’s planned and future exploration on the Queensway Project and its other mineral properties; the Company’s goals regarding exploration and potential development of its projects; the Company’s future business plans; expectations regarding the ability to raise further capital; the market price of gold; expectations regarding any environmental issues that may affect planned or future exploration and development programs and the potential impact of complying with existing and proposed environmental laws and regulations; the ability to retain and/or maintain any require permits, licenses or other necessary approvals for the exploration or development of its mineral properties; government regulation of mineral exploration and development operations in the Provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador and Ontario; the Company’s compensation policy and practices; the Company’s expected reliance on key management personnel, advisors and consultants; effects of the COVID19 outbreak as a global pandemic and the Company’s expectations with respect to the ThreeD Claim (as such term is defined in the Company’s Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2021 (the “Annual Information Form”)).
These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of New Found to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Important factors that may cause actual results to vary include without limitation, the Company may fail to find a commercially viable deposit at any of its mineral properties; there are no mineral resources or mineral reserves on any of the properties in which the Company has an interest; the Company’s plans may be adversely affected by the Company’s reliance on historical data compiled by previous parties involved with its mineral properties; mineral exploration and development are inherently risky; the mineral exploration industry is intensely competitive; additional financing may not be available to the Company when required or, if available, the terms of such financing may not be favorable to the Company; fluctuations in the demand for gold; the Company may not be able to identify, negotiate or finance any future acquisitions successfully, or to integrate such acquisitions with its current business; the Company’s exploration activities are dependent upon the grant of appropriate licenses, concessions, leases, permits and regulatory consents, which may be withdrawn or not granted; the Company’s operations could be adversely affected by possible future government legislation, policies and controls or by changes in applicable laws and regulations; there is no guarantee that title to the properties in which the Company has a material interest will not be challenged or impugned; the Company faces various risks associated with mining exploration that are not insurable or may be the subject of insurance which is not commercially feasible for the Company; public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic may adversely impact the Company’s business; the volatility of global capital markets over the past several years has generally made the raising of capital more difficult; inflationary cost pressures may escalate the Company’s operating costs; compliance with environmental regulations can be costly; social and environmental activism can negatively impact exploration, development and mining activities; the success of the Company is largely dependent on the performance of its directors and officers; the Company’s operations may be adversely affected by First Nations land claims; the Company and/or its directors and officers may be subject to a variety of legal proceedings, the results of which may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business; the Company may be adversely affected if potential conflicts of interests involving its directors and officers are not resolved in favor of the Company; the Company’s future profitability may depend upon the world market prices of gold; dilution from future equity financing could negatively impact holders of the Company’s
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securities; failure to adequately meet infrastructure requirements could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business; the Company’s projects now or in the future may be adversely affected by risks outside the control of the Company; the Company is subject to various risks associated with climate change; and other factors discussed under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Information Form.
In making the forward-looking statements in this Annual Report, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, the assumptions that: the ability to raise any necessary additional capital on reasonable terms to advance exploration and development of the Company’s mineral properties; future prices of gold and other metal prices; the timing and results of exploration and drilling programs; the demand for, and price of gold; that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner; the Company’s ability to procure equipment and operating supplies in sufficient quantities and on a timely basis; the geology of the Queensway Project as described in the Company’s most recent technical report; the accuracy of budgeted exploration and development costs and expenditures; future currency exchange rates and interest rates; operating conditions being favorable such that the Company is able to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner; the Company’s ability to attract and retain skilled personnel; political and regulatory stability; the receipt of governmental, regulatory and third-party approvals, licenses and permits on favorable terms; obtaining required renewals for existing approvals, licenses and permits on favorable terms; requirements under applicable laws; sustained labor stability; stability in financial and capital goods markets; expectations regarding the level of disruption to exploration at the Queensway Project as a result of COVID 19; availability of equipment.
Certain of the risks and assumptions are described in more detail under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Information Form and in the Company’s audited financial statements and management discussion and analysis for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
The actual results or performance by the Company could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, any forward-looking statements relating to those matters. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what impact they will have on the results of operations or financial condition of the Company. Except as required by law, the Company is under no obligation, and expressly disclaim any obligation, to update, alter or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
DIFFERENCES IN UNITED STATES AND CANADIAN REPORTING PRACTICES
The Company is permitted, under a multijurisdictional disclosure system adopted by the United States, to prepare this report in accordance with Canadian disclosure requirements, which are different from those of the United States. The Company prepares its financial statements, which are filed with this Annual Report in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, and the audit is subject to Canadian auditing and auditor independence standards.
Disclosure regarding the Company’s mineral properties, including with respect to mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates included in this Annual Report, was prepared in accordance with NI 43-101. NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators that establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. NI 43-101 differs significantly from the disclosure requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) generally applicable to U.S. companies. Accordingly, information contained in this Annual Report is not comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies reporting pursuant to SEC disclosure requirements.
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INCORPORATED DOCUMENTS
Annual Information Form
The Registrant’s Annual Information Form is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Annual Report.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
The Registrant’s amended management’s discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2021 (“MD&A”) is filed as Exhibit 99.2 to this Annual Report.
Audited Annual Financial Statements
The Registrant’s financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 and the auditor’s report thereon are filed as Exhibit 99.3 to this Annual Report.
DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
At the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was carried out under the supervision of and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act). The evaluation included documentation review, enquiries and other procedures considered by management to be appropriate in the circumstances. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s CEO and CFO have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
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The Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, does not expect that its disclosure controls and procedures or internal controls and procedures will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, control may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
NOTICES PURSUANT TO REGULATION BTR
The Company was not required by Rule 104 of Regulation BTR to send any notices to any of its directors or executive officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
The Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) has determined that it has at least one audit committee financial expert serving on its Audit Committee. The Board has determined that Douglas Hurst is an audit committee financial expert and is independent, as that term is defined by the Exchange Act and the NYSE American LLC’s (the “NYSE American”) corporate governance standards applicable to the Company.
The Commission has indicated that the designation of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not make such person an “expert” for any purpose, impose on such person any duties, obligations or liability that are greater than those imposed on such person as a member of the Audit Committee and the Board in the absence of such designation and does not affect the duties, obligations or liability of any other member of the Audit Committee or Board.
CODE OF ETHICS
The Board has adopted a written code of business conduct and ethics (the “Code”), by which it and all officers and employees of the Company, including the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer or controller, abide. There were no waivers granted in respect of the Code during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. The Code is posted on the Company’s website at www.newfoundgold.ca. If there is an amendment to the Code, or if a waiver of the Code is granted to any of Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, the Company intends to disclose any such amendment or waiver by posting such information on the Company’s website. Unless and to the extent specifically referred to herein, the information on the Company’s website shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Annual Report.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Crowe MacKay LLP, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Auditor Firm ID: 01462, acted as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. See page 80 of the Company’s Annual Information Form, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, for the total amount billed to the Company by Crowe MacKay LLP for services performed in the last two fiscal years by category of service (for audit fees, audit-related fees, tax fees and all other fees).
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AUDIT COMMITTEE PRE-APPROVAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
See page 80 of the Company’s Annual Information Form, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. No audit-related fees, tax fees or other non-audit fees were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company was not a party to any off-balance-sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future effect on the financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, cash requirements or capital resources of the Company.
IDENTIFICATION OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Board has a separately designated standing Audit Committee established in accordance with section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act and satisfies the requirements of Exchange Act Rule 10A-3 (“Rule 10A-3”). The Company’s Audit Committee is comprised of Quinton Hennigh, Douglas Hurst and Vijay Mehta, all of whom, in the opinion of the Board, are independent (as determined under Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act and the NYSE American Company Guide) and all of whom are financially literate.
The Company’s registration statement on Form 40-F under the Exchange Act, became effective on September 28, 2021 and the Company’s common shares began trading on the NYSE American LLC (the “NYSE American”) on September 29, 2021. At that time, Denis Laviolette served on the Company’s Audit Committee. By virtue of Denis Laviolette’s position as President of the Company, he was not considered independent. Denis Laviolette served as a member of the Company’s Audit Committee pursuant to the exemption from such independence requirements set forth in Rule 10A-3(b)(1)(iv)(2) until May 16, 2022. On April 14, 2022, Vijay Mehta was appointed to the Board and he joined the Audit Committee on May 16, 2022 replacing Denis Laviolette. Vijay Mehta is independent as determined under Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act and the NYSE American Company Guide. We believe that the Company’s reliance on such exemption did not materially adversely affect the ability of the Audit Committee to act independently and to satisfy the other requirements of Rule 10A-3.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES
The Company’s common shares are listed on the NYSE American. Section 110 of the NYSE American Company Guide permits the NYSE American to consider the laws, customs and practices of foreign issuers and to grant exemptions from NYSE American listing criteria based on these considerations. Below is a description of the significant ways in which the Company’s governance practices differ from those followed by U.S. domestic companies pursuant to NYSE American standards:
Quorum
Section 123 of the NYSE American Company Guide recommends a quorum of not less than one-third of a listed company’s shares issued and outstanding entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders. The Company’s quorum requirement under its Articles is one person present or represented by proxy who, in the aggregate, holds at least 5% of the issued shares entitled to be voted at the meeting.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Section 804 of the NYSE American Company Guide requires Board of Director nominees to be selected or recommended by either a Nominating Committee comprised solely of independent directors or by a majority of such company’s independent directors. As permitted by the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSXV”), the Company’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consists of three directors, of which one is independent.
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Compensation Committee
Section 805 of the NYSE American Company Guide requires the compensation of a listed company’s chief executive officer to be determined or recommended to the Board of Directors for determination, either by a Compensation Committee comprised of independent directors or by a majority of such company’s independent directors. As permitted by the TSXV, the Company’s Compensation Committee consists of three directors, of which one is independent.
Shareholder Approval
Section 711 of the NYSE American Listed Company Guide requires shareholder approval of all equity compensation plans and material revisions to such plans. The definition of “equity compensation plans” includes plans that provide for the delivery of both newly issued and treasury securities, as well as plans that include securities re-acquired in the open market by the issuing company for the purpose of redistribution to employees and directors. The Company will follow the shareholder approval requirements listed in Policy 4.4 of the TSXV Corporate Finance Manual in connection with equity compensation arrangements.
Section 713 of the NYSE American Listed Company Guide requires a listed company to obtain the approval of its shareholders for certain kinds of securities issuances, including private placements that result in the issuance of common shares (or securities convertible into common shares) equal to 20% or more of presently outstanding shares for less than the greater of book or market value of such shares. The Company will follow the shareholder approval requirements listed in Policy 4.1 of the TSXV Corporate Finance Manual in connection with certain securities issuances, including private placements.
In addition, the Company may from time-to-time seek exemption from NYSE American corporate governance requirements under Section 110 of the NYSE American Company Guide, in which case the Company will make any required disclosures of such exemptions. The foregoing is consistent with the laws, customs and practices in Canada.
MINE SAFETY
Not applicable.
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UNDERTAKING AND CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS
A.Undertaking
The Company undertakes to make available, in person or by telephone, representatives to respond to inquiries made by the Commission staff, and to furnish promptly, when requested to do so by the Commission staff, information relating to: the securities in relation to which the obligation to file an annual report on Form 40-F arises; or transactions in said securities.
B.Consent to Service of Process
The Company has filed an Appointment of Agent for Service of Process and Undertaking on Form F-X with respect to the class of securities in relation to which the obligation to file this Annual Report arises.
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. |
| Description |
---|---|---|
99.1 | Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2021 | |
99.2 | Amended Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2021 | |
99.3 | Financial Statements for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
99.4 | ||
99.5 | ||
99.6 | ||
99.7 | ||
99.8 | Consent of Crowe MacKay LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | |
99.9 | ||
99.10 | ||
99.11 | ||
101 | Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL) | |
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) |
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, New Found Gold Corp. certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 40-F and has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.
Dated: May 19, 2022
NEW FOUND GOLD CORP. | ||
By: | /s/ Michael Kanevsky | |
Name: Michael Kanevsky | ||
Title: Chief Financial Officer |
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Exhibit 99.1
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| NEW FOUND GOLD CORP. | |
ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM | ||
For the year ended December 31, 2021 Dated: May 19, 2022 |
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13 INTEREST OF MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS | 84 | |
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SCHEDULE “A” CHARTER OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF NEW FOUND GOLD CORP. | A-1 |
1 |
In this Annual Information Form (“AIF”), “New Found” or the “Company” refers to New Found Gold Corp.
All information contained herein is as at December 31, 2021 unless otherwise stated.
1.1 |
New Found’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 were prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).
This AIF should be read in conjunction with New Found’s audited financial statements and notes thereto, as well as the management’s discussion and analysis for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. The financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis are available at New Found’s website https://newfoundgold.ca/ or under New Found’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
1.2 |
All sums of money which are referred to in this AIF are expressed in lawful money of Canada, unless otherwise specified. References to “US$” are to United States Dollars.
1.3 |
This AIF contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (referred to together herein as “forward-looking information”). Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “continue”, “plans” or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements and information are not historical facts, are made as of the date of AIF, and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding discussions of results from operations (including, without limitation, statements about the Company’s opportunities, strategies, competition, expected activities and expenditures as the Company pursues its business plan, the adequacy of the Company’s available cash resources and other statements about future events or results), performance (both operational and financial) and business prospects, future business plans and opportunities and statements as to management’s expectations with respect to, among other things, the activities contemplated in this AIF.
Forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference in this AIF include, without limitation, statements related to the Queensway Project (as such term is defined herein) and the Company’s planned and future exploration on the Queensway Project and its other mineral properties; the Company’s goals regarding exploration and potential development of its projects; the Company’s future business plans; expectations regarding the ability to raise further capital; the market price of gold; expectations regarding any environmental issues that may affect planned or future exploration and development programs and the potential impact of complying with existing and proposed environmental laws and regulations; the ability to retain and/or maintain any require permits, licenses or other necessary approvals for the exploration or development of its mineral properties; government regulation of mineral exploration and development operations in the Provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador and Ontario; the Company’s compensation policy and practices; the Company’s expected reliance on key management personnel, advisors and consultants; effects of the COVID19 outbreak as a global pandemic and the Company’s expectations with respect to the ThreeD Claim (as defined below).
These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of New Found to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Important factors that may cause actual results to vary include without limitation, the Company may fail to find a commercially viable deposit at any of its mineral properties; there are no mineral resources or mineral reserves on any of the properties in which the Company has an interest; the Company’s plans may be adversely affected by the Company’s reliance on historical data compiled by previous parties involved with its mineral properties; mineral exploration and development are inherently risky; the mineral exploration industry is intensely competitive; additional financing may not be available
1
to the Company when required or, if available, the terms of such financing may not be favourable to the Company; fluctuations in the demand for gold; the Company may not be able to identify, negotiate or finance any future acquisitions successfully, or to integrate such acquisitions with its current business; the Company’s exploration activities are dependent upon the grant of appropriate licenses, concessions, leases, permits and regulatory consents, which may be withdrawn or not granted; the Company’s operations could be adversely affected by possible future government legislation, policies and controls or by changes in applicable laws and regulations; there is no guarantee that title to the properties in which the Company has a material interest will not be challenged or impugned; the Company faces various risks associated with mining exploration that are not insurable or may be the subject of insurance which is not commercially feasible for the Company; public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic may adversely impact the Company’s business; the volatility of global capital markets over the past several years has generally made the raising of capital more difficult; inflationary cost pressures may escalate the Company’s operating costs; compliance with environmental regulations can be costly; social and environmental activism can negatively impact exploration, development and mining activities; the success of the Company is largely dependent on the performance of its directors and officers; the Company’s operations may be adversely affected by First Nations land claims; the Company and/or its directors and officers may be subject to a variety of legal proceedings, the results of which may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business; the Company may be adversely affected if potential conflicts of interests involving its directors and officers are not resolved in favour of the Company; the Company’s future profitability may depend upon the world market prices of gold; dilution from future equity financing could negatively impact holders of the Company’s securities; failure to adequately meet infrastructure requirements could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business; the Company’s projects now or in the future may be adversely affected by risks outside the control of the Company; the Company is subject to various risks associated with climate change; and other factors discussed under “Risk Factors”.
In making the forward-looking statements in this AIF, New Found has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, the assumptions that: the ability to raise any necessary additional capital on reasonable terms to advance exploration and development of the Company’s mineral properties; future prices of gold and other metal prices; the timing and results of exploration and drilling programs; the demand for, and price of gold; that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner; the Company’s ability to procure equipment and operating supplies in sufficient quantities and on a timely basis; the geology of the Queensway Project as described in the Technical Report (as such term is defined herein); the accuracy of budgeted exploration and development costs and expenditures; future currency exchange rates and interest rates; operating conditions being favourable such that the Company is able to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner; the Company’s ability to attract and retain skilled personnel; political and regulatory stability; the receipt of governmental, regulatory and third-party approvals, licenses and permits on favourable terms; obtaining required renewals for existing approvals, licenses and permits on favourable terms; requirements under applicable laws; sustained labour stability; stability in financial and capital goods markets; expectations regarding the level of disruption to exploration at the Queensway Project as a result of COVID 19; availability of equipment.
Certain of the risks and assumptions are described in more detail under the heading “Risk Factors” herein and in New Found’s audited financial statements and management discussion and analysis for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, available at New Found’s website https://newfoundgold.ca/ or under New Found’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
The actual results or performance by New Found could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, any forward-looking statements relating to those matters. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what impact they will have on the results of operations or financial condition of the Company. Except as required by law, New Found is under no obligation, and expressly disclaim any obligation, to update, alter or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
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2 |
2.1 |
New Found was incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) as Palisade Resources Corp. on January 6, 2016. By articles of amendment effective June 20, 2017, the Company’s name was changed to New Found Gold Corp.
On June 23, 2020, the Company continued into British Columbia under the provisions of the Business Corporations Act, British Columbia, (the “BCBCA”). The Company’s head office is located at Suite 1430 – 800 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 2V6, Canada. The Company’s registered office is located at Suite 2600, Three Bentall Centre, 595 Burrard Street, P.O. Box 49314, Vancouver, British Columbia, V7X 1L3, Canada.
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3.1 |
3.1.1 | General |
New Found is a mineral exploration company involved in the identification, acquisition and exploration of mineral properties primarily in the Provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador and Ontario. The Company’s exploration is focused on discovering and delineating gold resources. The Company has one material property: the Queensway Project located in Newfoundland, Canada (the “Queensway Project”). At present, the Queensway Project does not have any known mineral resources or reserves.
Since incorporation, the Company has taken the following steps in developing its business: (i) identified and acquired mineral properties with sufficient merit to warrant exploration; (ii) raised funds to progress the Company’s exploration activities on its mineral properties, as described herein; (iii) completed technical reports on the Queensway Project, including the recent technical report titled “Exploration Update of the Queensway Project, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada” with an effective date of February 18, 2022, prepared by Alan Lambden, P.Geo. and R. Mohan Srivastava, P.Geo. of RedDot3D Inc. in compliance with NI 43-101 (the “Technical Report”); and (iv) retained directors, officers and employees with the skills required to successfully operate a public mineral exploration company.
The Company is a reporting issuer in all provinces in Canada, except Québec. The Common Shares (as defined herein) of the Company trade on the TSX Venture Exchange (the “TSXV”) under the symbol “NFG” and on the NYSE American stock exchange (the “NYSE American”) under the symbol “NFGC”.
3.2 |
3.2.1 | Principal Operations |
The Company is a mineral exploration company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and evaluation of resource properties with a focus on gold properties located in the Provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador and Ontario, Canada.
3.2.2 | Competitive Conditions |
The mineral exploration and mining industry is competitive in all phases of exploration, development and production. The Company competes with a number of other entities and individuals in the search for and the acquisition of attractive mineral properties. As a result of this competition, the Company may not be able to acquire attractive properties in the future on terms it considers acceptable. The Company may also encounter competition from other mining companies in efforts to hire experienced mining professionals. Increased competition could adversely affect
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the Company’s ability to attract necessary funding or acquire suitable properties or prospects for mineral exploration in the future. See “Risk Factors – Competition and Mineral Exploration”.
3.2.3 | Specialized Skills and Knowledge |
Various aspects of the Company’s business require specialized skills and knowledge. Such skills and knowledge include, but are not limited to, expertise related to mineral exploration, geology, drilling, permitting, metallurgy, logistical planning, and implementation of exploration programs, as well as legal compliance, finance and accounting. The Company expects to rely upon various legal and financial advisors, consultants and others in the operation and management of its business. See “Risk Factors – Dependence on Management and Key Personnel”.
3.2.4 | Cycles |
The Company’s mineral exploration activities may be subject to seasonality due to adverse weather conditions including, without limitation, inclement weather, frozen ground and restricted access due to snow, ice or other weather-related factors. In addition, the mining and mineral exploration business is subject to global economic cycles effecting, among other things, the marketability and price of gold products in the global marketplace.
3.2.5 | Employees |
At December 31, 2021, the Company had 73 employees, and at the date of this AIF, the Company has 75 employees. The Company also relies on consultants and contractors to carry on its business activities and, in particular, to supervise and carry-out mineral exploration on its Queensway Project and other mineral properties.
3.2.6 | Environmental Protection |
The Company is currently engaged in exploration activities on its Queensway Project and other mineral properties and such activities are subject to various laws, rules and regulations governing the protection of the environment. Corporate obligations to protect the environment under the various regulatory regimes in which the Company operates may affect the financial position, operational performance and earnings of the Company. A breach of such legislation may result in imposition of fines and penalties. Management believes all of the Company’s activities are in material compliance with all applicable environmental legislation. See “Risk Factors – Environmental Risks”.
3.2.7 | Social or Environmental Policies |
The Company is committed to conducting its operations in accordance with sound social and environmental practices. At present, the scale of operations has not required the adoption of formal policies. The Company will re-evaluate this position if and when necessary.
The Company is subject to the laws and regulations relating to environmental matters in all jurisdictions in which it operates, including provisions relating to property reclamation, discharge of hazardous materials and other matters. The Company may also be held liable should environmental problems be discovered that were caused by former owners and operators of its properties. The Company conducts its mineral exploration activities in compliance with applicable environmental protection legislation.
3.3 |
3.3.1 | Stock Exchange Listings |
Initial Public Offering on the TSXV
On August 11, 2020, the Company completed an initial public offering on the TSXV of an aggregate of 21,000,000 Common Shares at a price of $1.30 per share for gross proceeds of $27,300,000 and on August 14, 2020, Canaccord
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Genuity Corp., BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. and Desjardins Securities Inc. (together the “Agents”) exercised their overallotment option in full to offer and sell an additional 3,150,000 Common Shares for gross proceeds of $4,095,000.
NYSE American Listing
On February 1, 2021, the Company announced it filed a Form 20-F registration statement with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) with the intention of applying to list its Common Shares on the NYSE American. On September 24, 2021, the Company announced that it expected its Common Shares to commence trading on the NYSE American on or about September 29, 2021. On September 29, 2021, the Company announced that the Common Shares commenced trading on the NYSE American under ticker symbol “NFGC” at the open of markets on September 29, 2021. Concurrent with the start of trading on the NYSE American, the Common Shares ceased trading on the OTC Markets.
3.3.2 | Financings |
November 2021 Flow-Through Private Placement
On November 24, 2021, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement to Eric Sprott of 5,000,000 Common Shares of the Company that qualified as “flow-through shares” for the purposes of the Tax Act at a price of $9.60 per Common Share, for gross proceeds to New Found of $48,000,000.
August 2021 Flow-Through Public Offering
On August 17, 2021, the Company announced it entered into an agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Canaccord Genuity Corp. and BMO Capital Markets on behalf of a syndicate of underwriters, pursuant to which the underwriters agreed to purchase, on a “bought deal” basis, 4,390,000 Common Shares of the Company that qualify as “flow-through shares” (within the meaning of the Tax Act) at a price of $11.39 per Common Share for gross proceeds of $50,002,100. The Company granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 15% of the number of Common Shares sold under the offering to cover over-allotments, if any and for market stabilization purposes.
On August 24, 2021, the Company announced it closed the offering of 5,048,500 Common Shares for gross proceeds of $57,502,415, which included the full exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. Eric Sprott participated for approximately 19.9% of the financing to maintain his interest in the Company. The Common Shares were offered by way of a prospectus supplement in each of the provinces of Canada (other than Québec) and were also offered by way of private placement in the United States.
Base Shelf Prospectus
On July 27, 2021, the Company filed a final short form base shelf prospectus with respect to offerings of securities of the Company to raise aggregate gross proceeds of up to $100 million over 25 months.
April 2021 Non-Brokered Flow-Through Private Placement
On April 8, 2021, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement of 2,857,000 Common Shares that qualified as “flow-through shares” for the purposes of the Tax Act at a price of $5.25 per share for gross proceeds to New Found of $14,999,250.
2020 Flow-Through Private Placements
On June 10, 2020, the Company completed the second and final tranche of a non-brokered private placement financing by issuing 68,462 Common Shares that qualified as “flow-through shares” (within the meaning of the Tax Act) at a price of $1.30 per Common Share, for gross proceeds of $89,001. In connection with the private placement, the Company issued certain finders non-transferable common share purchase warrants, in an aggregate amount of 4,107 finder warrants, representing 6% of the Common Shares sourced by certain finders. Each Finder Warrant issued in
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connection with this private placement entitles the holder thereof to purchase one additional Common Share at a price of $1.30 per Common Share for a two-year period expiring on June 10, 2022.
On June 4, 2020, the Company completed the second and final tranche of a non-brokered private placement financing by issuing of 1,227,753 Common Shares that qualified as “flow-through shares” (within the meaning of the Tax Act) at a price $1.50 per Common Share, for gross proceeds of $1,841,630. In connection with the private placement, the Company issued certain finders an aggregate amount of 28,230 finder warrants, representing 6% of the Common Shares sourced by certain finders. Each Finder Warrant issued in connection with this private placement entitles the holder thereof to purchase one additional Common Share at a price of $1.50 per Common Share for a two-year period expiring on June 4, 2022.
On May 13, 2020, the Company completed the first tranche of the non-brokered private placement financing by issuing 2,766,844 Common Shares that qualified as “flow-through shares” (within the meaning of the Tax Act) at a price of $1.50 per Common Share, for gross proceeds of $4,150,266. In connection with the private placement, the Company issued an aggregate of 36,052 finder warrants, representing 6% of the Common Shares sourced by certain finders. Each Finder Warrant issued in connection with this private placement entitles the holder thereof to purchase one additional Common Share at a price of $1.50 per Common Share for a two-year period expiring on May 13, 2022.
On May 12, 2020, the Company completed the first tranche of a non-brokered private placement financing of 797,923 Common Shares that qualified as “flow-through shares” (within the meaning of the Tax Act) at a price of $1.30 per Common Share, for gross proceeds of $1,037,299. In connection with the private placement, the Company issued an aggregate of 39,475 finder warrants, representing 6% of the Common Shares sourced by certain finders. Each Finder Warrant issued in connection with this private placement entitles the holder thereof to purchase one additional common share at a price of $1.30 per Common Share for a two-year period expiring on May 12, 2022.
2019 Private Placements
On November 29, 2019, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement financing of 16,000,000 units at a price of $0.50 per unit for gross proceeds of $8,000,000 (the “November 2019 Private Placement”). Each unit consisted of one Common Share and one common share purchase warrant (the “2019 Warrants”). Each 2019 Warrant entitled the holder thereof to purchase one additional Common Share at a price of $0.75 per Common Share for a three year period expiring on November 29, 2022. In accordance with the terms thereof, 12,000,000 of the 2019 Warrants were exercised on July 21, 2020 and the remaining 4,000,000 of the 2019 Warrants were exercised on August 10, 2020.
On July 3, 2019, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement financing of 1,250,000 Common Shares at a price of $0.40 per Common Share for gross proceeds of $500,000.
On June 18, 2019, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement financing of 1,875,000 Common Shares at a price of $0.40 per Common Share for gross proceeds of $750,000.
3.3.3 | Exercise of Queensway Project Option Agreements |
On June 23, 2020, the Company fully exercised the final remaining active option agreement with respect to the Queensway Project, being an option agreement with Unity Resources Inc., Gary Lewis, Donna Lewis, Nigel Lewis, Leonard Lewis, and Aubrey Budgell, entered into in November 2016, which covered 100% of the Unity Property portion of the Queensway Project. As a result, the Company is now the 100% owner of the interests comprising the Queensway Project. Pursuant to the option agreement, an NSR grant of 1.6% is payable to the optionors which can be reduced by 1.0% by paying the optionors $1,000,000. This agreement contains a 2 km area of influence that subjects adjacent lands to the east and north of the subject lands and does not impact the optioned property.
In November 2019, the Company fully exercised an option agreement covering the 100% interest in the JBP Linear Property portion of the Queensway Project, being an option agreement with Roland Quinlan and Eddie Quinlan, entered into in May 2017. Under the terms of the option agreement, the Company paid the optionors a total of $45,000
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in cash over a 30-month period and granted an NSR of 1.6% to the optionors which can be reduced by 1.0% by paying the optionors $1,000,000.
In November 2019, the Company fully exercised an option agreement covering the 100% interest in the Golden Bullet Property portion of the Queensway Project, being an option agreement with Roland Quinlan, Eddie Quinlan and Larry Quinlan, executed in November 2016. Under the terms of the option agreement, the Company paid the optionors a total of $125,000 in cash and issued $100,000 in Common Shares to the optionors over a 36-month period. Pursuant to the option agreement, an NSR of 1.6% is payable to the optionors which can be reduced by 1.0% by paying the optionors $1,000,000. This option agreement contains a 2 km area of influence that subjects adjacent lands to an additional 0.6% NSR.
In July 2019, the Company fully exercised an option agreement covering the 100% interest in the Linear and JBP Linear Property portion of the Queensway Project, being an option agreement with Krinor Resources, Kevin Keats and Allan Keats entered into in July 2016. Under the terms of the option agreement, the Company paid the optionors a total of $54,000 and issued 45,000 Common Shares to the optionors over a 36-month period. An NSR of 0.6% is payable to the optionors along with an underlying net smelter royalty of 1.0% covering five of the six claims, which is payable to Paragon Minerals Corp (“Paragon”). This option agreement contains a 2 km area of influence that subjects adjacent lands to the additional 0.6% NSR.
In April 2019, the Company fully exercised an option agreement covering the 100% interest in the Guinchard Property portion of the Queensway Project, being an option agreement with Wayde Guinchard, Myrtle Guinchard and Peter Rogers executed in April 2017. Under the terms of the option agreement, the Company paid the optionors a total of $45,000 and issued 105,000 Common Shares to the optionors over a 24-month period. Pursuant to the option agreement, an NSR of 1.0% is payable to the optionors which can be reduced by 0.5% by paying the optionors $1,000,000.
In September 2018, the Company acquired a 100% interest in the Lush Property via a purchase agreement with Paragon Minerals Corp. The Lush property is comprised of one map staked licence covering 50 hectares. Under the terms of the purchase agreement the Company is to grant a net smelter royalty of 0.5% payable to Paragon Minerals Corp along with an underlying net smelter royalty of 2.0% payable to Tom Lush which can be reduced by 1.0% by paying $1,000,000 to Tom Lush.
In May 2017, the Company acquired a 100% interest in the P-Pond Property via an option agreement with Stephen Stockley, Mark Stockley and Edward Stockley. The P-Pond property is comprised of three map staked licences covering 175 hectares and under the terms of the agreement the Company is to pay the optionor a total of $30,000 and $10,000 worth of shares are to be issued over a 12-month period; this option agreement has been fully executed and the Company is the sole owner of the property. A net smelter royalty grant of 1.0% is payable to the optionor which can be reduced by 0.5% by paying the optionor $250,000.
In December 2016, the Company acquired a 100% interest in the Blackmore Property via an option agreement with Neal Blackmore. The Blackmore property is comprised of two map staked licences covering 175 hectares and under the terms of the agreement the Company is to pay the optionor a total of $10,000; this option agreement has been fully executed and the Company is the sole owner of the property. A net smelter royalty grant of 0.6% is payable to the optionor.
In October 2016, the Company acquired a 100% interest in the United Gold Property via an option agreement with Noreen Kennedy. The United Gold property is comprised of one map staked licence covering 275 hectares and under the terms of the agreement the Company is to pay the optionor a total of $16,500 and $16,500 worth of shares are to be issued over a 6-month period; this option agreement has been fully executed and the Company is the sole owner of the property. A net smelter royalty grant of 0.6% is payable to the optionor.
3.3.4 | Royalty Purchases |
On November 15, 2021, the Company announced that it entered into three royalty purchase agreements (the “Royalty Purchase Agreements”) with arm’s length royalty holders (together, the “Vendors” and each, a “Vendor”), whereby New Found would purchase 100% of each Vendor’s royalty interests, each equal to 0.2%, for an aggregate of 0.6% of net returns from the Company’s Linear and JBP Linear properties (the “Royalty Interests”). New Found had previously granted the Vendors the Royalty Interests under a Net Smelter Royalty Agreement dated as of July 15, 2016. These properties cover key target areas on the Company’s Queensway project and include the Company’s Keats, Golden Joint, and Lotto discoveries. Subsequent to completion of the transaction, there was to remain a low royalty burden of just 0.4% on the ground covering the Keats-Golden Joint-Lotto-Big Dave corridor. On November 25, 2021, the Company announced that it closed its previously-announced acquisition of three royalty interests (the “Royalty Interest Acquisition”) with the Vendors whereby New Found purchased the Royalty Interests. Pursuant to the Royalty Interest Acquisition, New Found paid $1,300,000 cash consideration and issued 152,941 Common Shares in the capital of the Company to each Vendor, for an aggregate cash
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consideration of $3,900,000 and aggregate share consideration of 458,823 Common Shares. All securities issued pursuant to the Royalty Purchase Agreements were subject to a hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws, which expired four months plus one day from the date of closing of the Royalty Interest Acquisition.
3.3.5 | Exploits Transaction |
On December 11, 2020, the Company entered into a purchase and sale agreement with Exploits Discovery Corp. (“Exploits”) pursuant to which the Company sold a 100% interest in two mineral claims representing 12.0 km ² of land at the Queensway Project for non-cash consideration of 6,562,799 common shares in the capital of Exploits. The Company will also retain a 2% net smelter returns royalty on production from the mineral claims sold to Exploits.
3.3.6 | Novo Transaction |
On March 6, 2020, the Company issued 15,000,000 Common Shares to Novo Resources Corp., a TSXV listed mineral exploration and development corporation (“Novo”), at a subscription price of $1.12 per Common Share, which was paid to the Company by the issuance of 6,944,444 common shares in the capital of Novo. Upon closing of the transaction, Novo owned approximately 15.97% of the Company’s issued and outstanding Common Shares and New Found owned approximately 3.73% of the issued and outstanding common shares of Novo. Pursuant to the terms of the transaction, Novo has the right to appoint a director to the Board at any time until March 6, 2023, provided that Novo holds no less than 10% of New Found’s issued and outstanding Common Shares. In connection with Novo’s right to appoint a director to the Board, Novo appointed Dr. Quinton Hennigh as its director nominee. Dr. Hennigh was elected to the Board on June 17, 2020.
Mr. Eric Sprott, a principal securityholder of the Company, is also a principal securityholder of Novo.
3.3.7 | Mexican Gold Transaction |
On January 26, 2020, New Found entered into a binding letter agreement (the “Mexican Gold Agreement”) with Mexican Gold Corp. (“Mexican Gold”), pursuant to which Mexican Gold agreed to acquire all of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares (the “Proposed Mexican Gold Transaction”). The Proposed Mexican Gold Transaction would have constituted a reverse takeover pursuant to TSXV policies as, following completion of the Proposed Mexican Gold Transaction, the Company’s shareholders would have owned approximately 88.4% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the resulting issuer.
On February 19, 2020, the Company mutually agreed with Mexican Gold to terminate the Mexican Gold Agreement and the Proposed Mexican Gold Transaction.
3.3.8 | Recent Events |
Director and Officer Appointments and Resignations
On April 14, 2022, the Company announced that Craig Roberts resigned as Chief Executive Officer and as a director of the Company, Collin Kettell was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Vijay Mehta was appointed as a director of the Company. As part of a planned transition, Craig Roberts will continue with the Company as a full-time consultant in the role of Lead Advisor.
On September 27, 2021, the Company announced the appointment of Melissa Render, P.Geo. as Vice President of Exploration.
On May 11, 2021, the Company announced the appointment of Douglas Hurst as a director of the Company and the resignation of John Anderson as a director of the Company.
COVID-19 Developments
The Company continues to have no material disruption to operations or supply chains as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the onset of COVID-19 in early 2020, the Company has continued to take extraordinary measures to mitigate the possible impact of COVID-19 on its workforce and operations. Some of these measures include: (i) eliminating all non-essential travel to and from the Queensway Project and (ii) reducing physical interaction throughout the organization as much as possible by moving to a work-from-home format. The Company continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and is engaged in active operational and financial contingency planning to prudently manage the potential impact of the pandemic on its operations.
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4 |
The business and operations of New Found are speculative due to the high-risk nature of its business, which is the exploration of mineral properties. The risks listed below are not the only risks and uncertainties that New Found faces. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to New Found or that New Found currently considers immaterial may also materially impair its business. These risk factors could materially affect New Found’s business, financial condition and future operating results and could cause actual events to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements relating to the Company.
If any of the following risks occur, New Found’s business, financial condition and operating results could be materially adversely affected.
4.1 |
4.1.1 | Exploration Stage Company |
The Company is an exploration stage company and cannot give any assurance that a commercially viable deposit, or “reserve,” exists on any properties for which the Company currently has or may have (through potential future joint venture agreements or acquisitions) an interest. Determination of the existence of a reserve depends on appropriate and sufficient exploration work and the evaluation of legal, economic, and environmental factors. If the Company fails to find a commercially viable deposit on any of its properties, its financial condition and results of operations will be materially adversely affected.
4.1.2 | No Mineral Resources |
Currently, there are no mineral resources (within the meaning of NI 43-101) on any of the properties in which the Company has an interest and the Company cannot give any assurance that any mineral resources will be identified. If the Company fails to identify any mineral resources on any of its properties, its financial condition and results of operations will be materially adversely affected.
4.1.3 | No Mineral Reserves |
Currently, there are no mineral reserves (within the meaning of NI 43-101) on any of the properties in which the Company has an interest and the Company cannot give assurance that any mineral reserves will be identified. If the Company fails to identify any mineral reserves on any of its properties, its financial condition and results of operations will be materially adversely affected.
4.1.4 | Reliability of Historical Information |
The Company has relied on, and the disclosure in the Technical Report is based, in part, upon, historical data compiled by previous parties involved with the Queensway Project. To the extent that any of such historical data is inaccurate or incomplete, the Company’s exploration plans may be adversely affected.
4.1.5 | Mineral Exploration and Development |
Resource exploration and development is a speculative business, characterized by a number of significant risks including, among other things, unprofitable efforts resulting not only from the failure to discover mineral deposits but from finding mineral deposits which, though present, are insufficient in quantity and quality to return a profit from production. The marketability of minerals acquired or discovered by the Company may be affected by numerous factors which are beyond the control of the Company and which cannot be accurately predicted, such as market fluctuations, the proximity and capacity of milling facilities, mineral markets and processing equipment and such other factors as government regulations, including regulations relating to royalties, allowable production, importing and exporting of minerals and environmental protection, the combination of which factors may result in the Company not receiving an adequate return of investment capital.
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There is no assurance that the Company’s mineral exploration and any development activities will result in any profitable extraction of ore. The long-term profitability of the Company’s operations will in part be directly related to the costs and success of its exploration programs, which may be affected by a number of factors. Substantial expenditures are required to establish mineral resources through drilling and to develop the mining and processing facilities and infrastructure at any site chosen for mining. Although substantial benefits may be derived from the discovery of a major mineralized deposit, no assurance can be given that minerals will be discovered in sufficient quantities to justify commercial operations or that funds required for development can be obtained on a timely basis.
Substantial expenditures are required to establish ore reserves through exploration and drilling, to develop metallurgical processes to extract the metal from the ore and, in the case of new properties, to develop the mining and processing facilities and infrastructure at any site chosen for mining. Although substantial benefits may be derived from the discovery of a major mineralized deposit, no assurance can be given that minerals will be discovered in sufficient quantities and grades to justify commercial operations or that funds required for development can be obtained on a timely basis. Estimates of reserves, mineral deposits and production costs can also be affected by such factors as environmental permitting regulations and requirements, weather, environmental factors, unforeseen technical difficulties, unusual or unexpected geological formations and work interruptions. In addition, the grade of ore ultimately mined may differ from that indicated by drilling results. Short term factors relating to reserves, such as the need for orderly development of ore bodies or the processing of new or different grades, may also have an adverse effect on mining operations and on the results of operations. Material changes in ore reserves, grades, stripping ratios or recovery rates may affect the economic viability of any project.
4.1.6 | Competition and Mineral Exploration |
The mineral exploration industry is intensely competitive in all of its phases and the Company must compete in all aspects of its operations with a substantial number of large established mining companies with greater liquidity, greater access to credit and other financial resources, newer or more efficient equipment, lower cost structures, more effective risk management policies and procedures and/or greater ability than the Company to withstand losses. The Company’s competitors may be able to respond more quickly to new laws or regulations or emerging technologies or devote greater resources to the expansion of their operations, than the Company can. In addition, current and potential competitors may make strategic acquisitions or establish cooperative relationships among themselves or with third parties. Competition could adversely affect the Company’s ability to acquire suitable new mineral properties or prospects for exploration in the future. Competition could also affect the Company’s ability to raise financing to fund the exploration and development of its properties or to hire qualified personnel. The Company may not be able to compete successfully against current and future competitors, and any failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.
4.1.7 | Additional Funding |
The exploration and development of the Company’s mineral properties will require substantial additional capital. When such additional capital is required, the Company will need to pursue various financing transactions or arrangements, including joint venturing of projects, debt financing, equity financing or other means. Additional financing may not be available when needed or, if available, the terms of such financing might not be favourable to the Company and might involve substantial dilution to existing shareholders. The Company may not be successful in locating suitable financing transactions in the time period required or at all. A failure to raise capital when needed would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. Any future issuance of securities to raise required capital will likely be dilutive to existing shareholders. In addition, debt and other debt financing may involve a pledge of assets and may be senior to interests of equity holders. The Company may incur substantial costs in pursuing future capital requirements, including investment banking fees, legal fees, accounting fees, securities law compliance fees, printing and distribution expenses and other costs. The ability to obtain needed financing may be impaired by such factors as the capital markets (both generally and in the gold industry in particular), the Company’s status as a new enterprise with a limited history, the location of the Company’s mineral properties, the price of commodities and/or the loss of key management personnel.
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4.1.8 | Acquisition of Additional Mineral Properties |
If the Company loses or abandons its interests in its mineral properties, there is no assurance that it will be able to acquire another mineral property of merit or that such an acquisition would be approved by applicable securities regulatory authorities. There is also no guarantee that applicable securities regulatory authorities will approve the acquisition of any additional properties by the Company, whether by way of an option or otherwise, should the Company wish to acquire any additional properties.
4.1.9 | Government or Regulatory Approvals |
Exploration and development activities are dependent upon the grant of appropriate licences, concessions, leases, permits and regulatory consents, which may be withdrawn or made subject to limitations. There is no guarantee that, upon completion of any exploration, a mining licence will be granted with respect to exploration territory. There can also be no assurance that any exploration licence will be renewed or if so, on what terms. These licences place a range of past, current and future obligations on the Company. In some cases, there could be adverse consequences for breach of these obligations, ranging from penalties to, in extreme cases, suspension or termination of the relevant licence or related contract.
4.1.10 | Permits and Government Regulation |
The future operations of the Company may require permits from various federal, state, provincial and local governmental authorities and will be governed by laws and regulations governing prospecting, development, mining, production, export, taxes, labour standards, occupational health, waste disposal, land use, environmental protections, mine safety and other matters. Although Canada has a favourable legal and fiscal regime for exploration and mining, including a relatively simple system for the acquisition of mineral titles and relatively low tax burden, possible future government legislation, policies and controls relating to prospecting, development, production, environmental protection, mining taxes and labour standards could cause additional expense, capital expenditures, restrictions and delays in the activities of the Company, the extent of which cannot be predicted. Before development and production can commence on any properties, the Company must obtain regulatory and environmental approvals. There is no assurance that such approvals can be obtained on a timely basis or at all. The cost of compliance with changes in governmental regulations, has the potential to reduce the profitability of operations. The Company is currently in compliance with all material regulations applicable to its exploration activities.
4.1.11 | Limited Operating History |
The Company has a limited operating history and its mineral properties are exploration stage properties. As such, the Company will be subject to all of the business risks and uncertainties associated with any new business enterprise, including under-capitalization, cash shortages, limitations with respect to personnel, financial and other resources and lack of revenues. The current state of the Company’s mineral properties require significant additional expenditures before any cash flow may be generated. Although the Company possesses an experienced management team, there is no assurance that the Company will be successful in achieving a return on shareholders’ investment and the likelihood of success of the Company must be considered in light of the problems, expenses, difficulties, complications and delays frequently encountered in connection with the establishment of any business. There is no assurance that the Company can generate revenues, operate profitably, or provide a return on investment, or that it will successfully implement its plans.
An investment in the Company’s securities carries a high degree of risk and should be considered speculative by purchasers. There is no assurance that the Company will be successful in achieving a return on shareholders’ investment and the likelihood of its success must be considered in light of its early stage of operations. You should consider any purchase of the Company’s securities in light of the risks, expenses and problems frequently encountered by all companies in the early stages of their corporate development.
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4.1.12 | Title Risks |
Although the Company has or will receive title opinions for any properties in which it has a material interest, there is no guarantee that title to such properties will not be challenged or impugned. The Company has not conducted surveys on all of the claims in which it holds direct or indirect interests. The Company’s properties may be subject to prior unregistered agreements or transfers or native land claims and title may be affected by unidentified or unknown defects. Title insurance is generally not available for mineral properties and the Company’s ability to ensure that it has obtained secure claims to individual mineral properties or mining concessions may be constrained. A successful challenge to the Company’s title to a property or to the precise area and location of a property could cause delays or stoppages to the Company’s exploration, development or operating activities without reimbursement to the Company. Any such delays or stoppages could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
4.1.13 | Laws and Regulation |
The Company’s exploration activities are subject to extensive federal, provincial and local laws and regulations governing prospecting, development, production, exports, taxes, labour standards, occupational health and safety, mine safety and other matters in all the jurisdictions in which it operates. These laws and regulations are subject to change, can become more stringent and compliance can therefore become more costly. The Company applies the expertise of its management, advisors, employees and contractors to ensure compliance with current laws.
4.1.14 | Uninsured and Underinsured Risks |
The Company faces and will face various risks associated with mining exploration and the management and administration thereof including those associated with being a public company. Some of these risks are not insurable; some may be the subject of insurance which is not commercially feasible for the Company. Those insurances which are purchased will have exclusions and deductibles which may eliminate or restrict recovery in the event of loss. In some cases, the amount of insurance purchased may not be adequate in amount or in limit.
The Company will undertake intermittent assessments of insurable risk to help ensure that the impact of uninsured/underinsured loss is minimized within reason. Risks may vary from time to time within this intermittent period due to changes in such things as operations, operating conditions, laws or the climate which may leave the Company exposed to periods of additional uninsured risk.
In the event risk is uninsurable, at its reasonable and sole discretion, the Company may endeavor to implement policies and procedures, as may be applicable and/or feasible, to reduce the risk of related loss.
4.1.15 | Public Health Crises such as the COVID-19 Pandemic |
The Company’s business, operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected by the outbreak of epidemics or pandemics or other health crises, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. To date, there have been a large number of restrictions, business closures, quarantines and a reduction in various activities in many countries as a result of the pandemic. The pandemic has resulted in travel, gathering and other public health restrictions. The duration of the various disruptions to businesses locally and internationally and the related financial and other impacts cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. Such public health crises can result in volatility and disruptions in the supply and demand for gold and other minerals, global supply chains and financial markets, as well as declining trade and market sentiment and reduced mobility of people, all of which could affect commodity prices, interest rates, credit ratings, credit risk, share prices and inflation. The risks to the Company of such public health crises also include risks to employee health and safety, additional slowdowns or temporary suspensions of operations in geographic locations impacted by an outbreak, increased labour, transportation and fuel costs, regulatory changes, political or economic instabilities or civil unrest. The extent to which COVID-19 will or may impact the Company is uncertain and these factors are beyond the Company’s control. Any increase in the severity of the pandemic or future outbreaks of COVID-19, particularly if the number of COVID-19 cases in Newfoundland rises could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.
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4.1.16 | Global Economy Risk |
The volatility of global capital markets, including the general economic slowdown in the mining sector, over the past several years has generally made the raising of capital by equity or debt financing more difficult. The Company may be dependent upon capital markets to raise additional financing in the future. As such, the Company is subject to liquidity risks in meeting its operating expenditure requirements and future development cost requirements in instances where adequate cash positions are unable to be maintained or appropriate financing is unavailable. These factors may impact the ability to raise equity or obtain loans and other credit facilities in the future and on terms favourable to the Company and its management. If these levels of volatility persist or if there is a further economic slowdown, the Company’s operations, the Company’s ability to raise capital and the trading price of the Company’s securities could be adversely impacted.
COVID-19 and any future emergence and spread of similar pathogens could have a material adverse impact on global economic conditions, which may adversely impact: the market price of the Common Shares, the Company’s operations, its ability to raise debt or equity financing for the purposes of mineral exploration and development, and the operations of the Company’s suppliers, contractors and service providers.
In addition, as the Company’s operations expand and reliance on global supply chains increases, the impact of significant geopolitical risk and conflict globally may have a sizeable and unpredictable impact on the Company’s business, financial condition and operations. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the global response to this conflict as it relates to sanctions, trade embargos and military support has resulted in significant uncertainty as well as economic and supply chain disruptions. Should this conflict go on for an extended period of time, expand beyond Ukraine, or should other geopolitical disputes and conflicts emerge in other regions, this could result in material adverse effects to the Company.
4.1.17 | Inflation |
The Company’s operating costs could escalate and become uncompetitive due to supply chain disruptions, inflationary cost pressures, equipment limitations, escalating supply costs, commodity prices and additional government intervention through stimulus spending or additional regulations. The Company’s inability to manage costs may impact, among other things, future development decisions, which could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial performance.
4.1.18 | Environmental Risks |
The Company’s activities are subject to extensive laws and regulations governing environment protection. The Company is also subject to various reclamation related conditions. Although the Company closely follows and believes it is operating in compliance with all applicable environmental regulations, there can be no assurance that all future requirements will be obtainable on reasonable terms. Failure to comply may result in enforcement actions causing operations to cease or be curtailed and may include corrective measures requiring capital expenditures. Intense lobbying over environmental concerns by non-governmental organizations has caused some governments to cancel or restrict development of mining projects. Current publicized concern over climate change may lead to carbon taxes, requirements for carbon offset purchases or new regulation. The costs or likelihood of such potential issues to the Company cannot be estimated at this time.
The legal framework governing this area is constantly developing, therefore the Company is unable to fully ascertain any future liability that may arise from the implementation of any new laws or regulations, although such laws and regulations are typically strict and may impose severe penalties (financial or otherwise). The proposed activities of the Company, as with any exploration, may have an environmental impact which may result in unbudgeted delays, damage, loss and other costs and obligations including, without limitation, rehabilitation and/or compensation. There is also a risk that the Company’s operations and financial position may be adversely affected by the actions of environmental groups or any other group or person opposed in general to the Company’s activities and, in particular, the proposed exploration and mining by the Company within the Provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador and Ontario.
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4.1.19 | Social and Environmental Activism |
There is an increasing level of public concern relating to the effects of mining on the natural landscape, on communities and on the environment. Certain non-governmental organizations, public interest groups and reporting organizations (“NGOs”) who oppose resource development can be vocal critics of the mining industry. In addition, there have been many instances in which local community groups have opposed resource extraction activities, which have resulted in disruption and delays to the relevant operation. While the Company seeks to operate in a social responsible manner and believes it has good relationships with local communities in the regions in which it operates, NGOs or local community organizations could direct adverse publicity against and/or disrupt the operations of the Company in respect of one or more of its properties, regardless of its successful compliance with social and environmental best practices, due to political factors, activities of unrelated third parties on lands in which the Company has an interest or the Company’s operations specifically. Any such actions and the resulting media coverage could have an adverse effect on the reputation and financial condition of the Company or its relationships with the communities in which it operations, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or prospects.
4.1.20 | Dependence on Management and Key Personnel |
The success of the Company is currently largely dependent on the performance of its directors and officers. The loss of the services of any of these persons could have a materially adverse effect on the Company’s business and prospects. There is no assurance the Company can maintain the services of its directors, officers or other qualified personnel required to operate its business. As the Company’s business activity grows, the Company will require additional key financial, administrative and mining personnel as well as additional operations staff. There can be no assurance that these efforts will be successful in attracting, training and retaining qualified personnel as competition for persons with these skill sets increases. If the Company is not successful in attracting, training and retaining qualified personnel, the efficiency of its operations could be impaired, which could have an adverse impact on the Company’s operations and financial condition. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic may cause the Company to have inadequate access to an available skilled workforce and qualified personnel, which could have an adverse impact on the Company’s financial performance and financial condition.
4.1.21 | First Nations Land Claims |
Certain of the Company’s mineral properties may now or in the future be the subject of First Nations land claims. The legal nature of First Nations land claims is a matter of considerable complexity. The impact of any such claim on the Company’s material interest in the Company’s mineral properties and/or potential ownership interest in the Company’s mineral properties in the future, cannot be predicted with any degree of certainty and no assurance can be given that a broad recognition of First Nations rights in the areas in which the Company’s mineral properties are located, by way of negotiated settlements or judicial pronouncements, would not have an adverse effect on the Company’s activities. Even in the absence of such recognition, the Company may at some point be required to negotiate with and seek the approval of holders of First Nations interests in order to facilitate exploration and development work on the Company’s mineral properties, there is no assurance that the Company will be able to establish practical working relationships with the First Nations in the area which would allow it to ultimately develop the Company’s mineral properties.
4.1.22 | Claims and Legal Proceedings |
The Company and/or its directors and officers may be subject to a variety of civil or other legal proceedings, with or without merit. From time to time in the ordinary course of its business, the Company may become involved in various legal proceedings, including commercial, employment and other litigation and claims, as well as governmental and other regulatory investigations and proceedings. Such matters can be time-consuming, divert management’s attention and resources and cause the Company to incur significant expenses. Furthermore, because litigation is inherently unpredictable, the results of any such actions may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, operating results or financial condition.
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4.1.23 | Conflicts of Interest |
Most of the Company’s directors and officers do not devote their full time to the affairs of the Company. All of the directors and officers of the Company are also directors, officers and shareholders of other natural resource or public companies, and as a result they may find themselves in a position where their duty to another company conflicts with their duty to the Company. Although the Company has policies which address such potential conflicts and the BCBCA has provisions governing directors in the event of such a conflict, none of the Company’s constating documents or any of its other agreements contain any provisions mandating a procedure for addressing such conflicts of interest. There is no assurance that any such conflicts will be resolved in favour of the Company. If any such conflicts are not resolved in favour of the Company, the Company may be adversely affected.
4.1.24 | Gold and Metal Prices |
If the Company’s mineral properties are developed from exploration properties to full production properties, the majority of its revenue will be derived from the sale of gold. Therefore, the Company’s future profitability will depend upon the world market prices of the gold for which it is exploring. The price of gold and other metals are affected by numerous factors beyond the Company’s control, including levels of supply and demand, global or regional consumptive patterns, sales by government holders, metal stock levels maintained by producers and others, increased production due to new mine developments and improved mining and production methods, speculative activities related to the sale of metals, availability and costs of metal substitutes.
Moreover, gold prices are also affected by macroeconomic factors such as expectations regarding inflation, interest rates and global and regional demand for, and supply of, gold as well as general global economic conditions. These factors may have an adverse effect on the Company’s exploration, development and production activities, as well as on its ability to fund those activities. Additionally, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and efforts to contain it, including future restrictions on travel and other advisories issued may have a significant effect on gold prices.
4.1.25 | Negative Cash Flow from Operating Activities |
The Company has no history of earnings and had negative cash flow from operating activities since inception. The Company’s mineral properties are in the exploration stage and there are no known mineral resources or reserves and the proposed exploration programs on the Company’s mineral properties are exploratory in nature. Significant capital investment will be required to achieve commercial production from the Company’s existing projects. There is no assurance that any of the Company’s mineral properties will generate earnings, operate profitably or provide a return on investment in the future. Accordingly, the Company will be required to obtain additional financing in order to meet its future cash commitments.
4.1.26 | Going Concern Risk |
The Company’s financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis under which an entity is considered to be able to realize its assets and satisfy its liabilities in the ordinary course of business. The Company’s future operations are dependent upon the identification and successful completion of equity or debt financings and the achievement of profitable operations at an indeterminate time in the future. There can be no assurances that the Company will be successful in completing equity or debt financings or in achieving profitability. The financial statements do not give effect to any adjustments relating to the carrying values and classifications of assets and liabilities that would be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
4.1.27 | Reporting Issuer Status |
The Company is subject to reporting requirements under applicable securities law, the listing requirements of the TSXV and NYSE American and other applicable securities rules and regulations. Compliance with these requirements can increase legal and financial compliance costs, make some activities more difficult, time consuming or costly, and increase demand on existing systems and resources. Among other things, the Company is required to file annual, quarterly and current reports with respect to its business and results of operations and maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting. In order to maintain and, if required, improve
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disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting to meet this standard, significant resources and management oversight is required. As a result, management’s attention may be diverted from other business concerns, which could harm the Company’s business and results of operations. The Company may need to hire additional employees to comply with these requirements in the future, which would increase its costs and expenses.
4.1.28 | Risks Associated with Acquisitions |
If appropriate opportunities present themselves, the Company may acquire mineral claims, material interests in other mineral claims, and companies that the Company believes are strategic. The Company currently has no understandings, commitments or agreements with respect to any material acquisition, other than as described in this AIF, and no other material acquisition is currently being pursued. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to identify, negotiate or finance future acquisitions successfully, or to integrate such acquisitions with its current business. The process of integrating an acquired Company or mineral claims into the Company may result in unforeseen operating difficulties and expenditures and may absorb significant management attention that would otherwise be available for ongoing development of the Company’s business. Future acquisitions could result in potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities, the incurrence of debt, contingent liabilities and/or amortization expenses related to goodwill and other intangible assets, which could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.
4.1.29 | Force Majeure |
The Company’s projects now or in the future may be adversely affected by risks outside the control of the Company, including the price of gold on world markets, labour unrest, civil disorder, war, subversive activities or sabotage, fires, floods, explosions or other catastrophes, pandemics, epidemics or quarantine restrictions.
4.1.30 | Infrastructure |
Exploration, development and processing activities depend, to one degree or another, on adequate infrastructure. Reliable roads, bridges, power sources and water supply are important elements of infrastructure, which affect access, capital and operating costs. The lack of availability on acceptable terms or the delay in the availability of any one or more of these items could prevent or delay exploration or development of the Company’s mineral properties. If adequate infrastructure is not available in a timely manner, there can be no assurance that the exploration or development of the Company’s mineral properties will be commenced or completed on a timely basis, if at all. Furthermore, unusual or infrequent weather phenomena, sabotage, government or other interference in the maintenance or provision of necessary infrastructure could adversely affect its operations.
Exploration operations depend on adequate infrastructure. In particular, reliable power sources, water supply, transportation and surface facilities are necessary to explore and develop mineral projects. Failure to adequately meet these infrastructure requirements or changes in the cost of such requirements could affect the Company’s ability to carry out exploration and future development operations and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or prospects.
4.1.31 | Climate Change Risks |
The Company acknowledges climate change as an international and community concern and it supports and endorses various initiatives for voluntary actions consistent with international initiatives on climate change. However, in addition to voluntary actions, governments are moving to introduce climate change legislation and treaties at the international, national, state/provincial and local levels. Where legislation already exists, regulation relating to emission levels and energy efficiency is becoming more stringent. Some of the costs associated with reducing emissions can be offset by increased energy efficiency and technological innovation. However, if the current regulatory trend continues, the Company expects that this could result in increased costs at some of its operations in the future.
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The Company and the mining industry are facing continued geotechnical challenges, which could adversely impact the Company’s production and profitability. Unanticipated adverse geotechnical and hydrological conditions, such as landslides, floods, seismic activity, droughts and pit wall failures, may occur in the future and such events may not be detected in advance. Geotechnical instabilities and adverse climatic conditions can be difficult to predict and are often affected by risks and hazards outside of the Company’s control, such as severe weather and considerable rainfall. Geotechnical failures could result in limited or restricted access to mine sites, suspension of operations, government investigations, increased monitoring costs, remediation costs, loss of ore and other impacts, which could cause one or more of the Company’s projects to be less profitable than currently anticipated and could result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s business results of operations and financial position.
4.1.32 | Information Systems and Cyber Security |
The Company’s operations depend on information technology (“IT”) systems. These IT systems could be subject to network disruptions caused by a variety of sources, including computer viruses, security breaches and cyber-attacks, as well as disruptions resulting from incidents such as cable cuts, damage to physical plants, natural disasters, terrorism, fire, power loss, vandalism and theft. The Company’s operations also depend on the timely maintenance, upgrade and replacement of networks, equipment, IT systems and software, as well as pre-emptive expenses to mitigate the risks of failures. Any of these and other events could result in information system failures, delays and/or increase in capital expenses. The failure of information systems or a component of information systems could, depending on the nature of any such failure, adversely impact the Company’s reputation and results of operations.
Although to date the Company has not experienced any material losses relating to cyber-attacks or other information security breaches, there can be no assurance that the Company will not incur such losses in the future. The Company’s risk and exposure to these matters cannot be fully mitigated because of, among other things, the evolving nature of these threats. As a result, cyber security and the continued development and enhancement of controls, processes and practices designed to protect systems, computers, software, data and networks from attack, damage or unauthorized access remain a priority. As cyber threats continue to evolve, the Company may be required to expend additional resources to continue to modify or enhance protective measures or to investigate and remediate any security vulnerabilities.
4.2 |
4.2.1 | Speculative Nature of Investment Risk |
An investment in the Company’s securities carries a high degree of risk and should be considered as a speculative investment. The Company has no history of earnings, limited cash reserves, a limited operating history, has not paid dividends, and is unlikely to pay dividends in the immediate or near future. The likelihood of success of the Company must be considered in light of the problems, expenses, difficulties, complications and delays frequently encountered in connection with the establishment of any business. An investment in the Company’s securities may result in the loss of an investor’s entire investment. Only potential investors who are experienced in high-risk investments and who can afford to lose their entire investment should consider an investment in the Company.
4.2.2 | Price may not Represent the Company’s Performance or Intrinsic Fair Value |
The market price of a publicly-traded stock is affected by many variables not directly related to the corporate performance of the Company, including the market in which it is traded, the strength of the economy generally, the availability of the attractiveness of alternative investments, and the breadth of the public market for the stock. The effect of these and other factors on the market price of the Common Shares on the TSXV and the NYSE American in the future cannot be predicted.
4.2.3 | Securities or Industry Analysts |
The trading market for the Common Shares could be influenced by research and reports that industry and/or securities analysts may publish about the Company, its business, the market or its competitors. The Company does not have any control over these analysts and cannot assure that such analysts will cover the Company or provide favourable
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coverage. If any of the analysts who may cover the Company’s business change their recommendation regarding the Company’s stock adversely, or provide more favourable relative recommendations about its competitors, the stock price would likely decline. If any analysts who may cover the Company’s business were to cease coverage or fail to regularly publish reports on the Company, it could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause the stock price or trading volume to decline.
4.2.4 | Price Volatility of Publicly Traded Securities |
The Common Shares are listed on the TSXV and NYSE American. Securities of mineral exploration and development companies have experienced substantial volatility in the past, often based on factors unrelated to the companies’ financial performance or prospects. These factors include macroeconomic developments in North America and globally and market perceptions of the attractiveness of particular industries.
The price of the Common Shares is also likely to be significantly affected by short-term changes in gold or other mineral prices or in the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. Other factors unrelated to the Company’s performance that may affect the price of the Common Shares include the following: the extent of analytical coverage available to investors concerning the Company’s business may be limited if investment banks with research capabilities do not follow the Company; lessening in trading volume and general market interest in the Common Shares may affect an investor’s ability to trade significant numbers of Common Shares; the size of the Company’s public float may limit the ability of some institutions to invest in the Common Shares; and a substantial decline in the price of the Common Shares that persists for a significant period of time could cause the Common Shares to be delisted from such exchange, further reducing market liquidity. As a result of any of these factors, the market price of the Common Shares at any given point in time may not accurately reflect the Company’s long-term value. Securities class action litigation often has been brought against companies following periods of volatility in the market price of their securities. New Found may in the future be the target of similar litigation. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and damages and divert management’s attention and resources.
The market price of the Common Shares is affected by many other variables which are not directly related to the Company’s success and are, therefore, not within New Found’s control. These include other developments that affect the market for all resource sector securities, the breadth of the public market for the Company’s Common Shares and the attractiveness of alternative investments. The effect of these and other factors on the market price of the Common Shares is expected to make the price of the Common Shares volatile in the future, which may result in losses to investors.
4.2.5 | Dilution |
Future sales or issuances of equity securities could decrease the value of the Common Shares, dilute shareholders’ voting power and reduce future potential earnings per Common Share. New Found may sell additional equity securities in future offerings (including through the sale of securities convertible into Common Shares) and may issue additional equity securities to finance the Company’s operations, development, exploration, acquisitions or other projects. New Found cannot predict the size of future sales and issuances of equity securities or the effect, if any, that future sales and issuances of equity securities will have on the market price of the Common Shares. Common Sales or issuances of a substantial number of equity securities, or the perception that such sales could occur, may adversely affect prevailing market prices for the Common Shares. With any additional sale or issuance of equity securities, investors will suffer dilution of their voting power and may experience dilution in the Company’s earnings per Common Share.
4.2.6 | Dividends |
To date, the Company has not paid any dividends on the outstanding Common Shares. Any decision to pay dividends on the Common Shares of the Company will be made by the Board on the basis of the Company’s earnings, financial requirements and other conditions. See “Dividends and Distributions”.
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4.2.7 | Exchange Listings |
The Company may fail to meet the continued listing requirements for the Common Shares to be listed on the TSXV and/or the NYSE American. If the TSXV or the NYSE American, as applicable, delists the Common Shares from trading on its respective exchange, the Company could face significant material adverse consequences, including: a limited availability of market quotations for the Common Shares; a determination the Common Shares are a “penny stock” which will require brokers trading in the Common Shares to follow more stringent rules and possibly resulting in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary market for the Common Shares; a limited amount of news and analysts coverage for the Company; and a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future.
5 |
5.1 |
New Found commissioned RedDot3D Inc. (“RD3D”) to prepare the Technical Report in compliance with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects within Canada (“NI 43-101”), for its 100% owned Queensway Project, located near Gander, Newfoundland, Canada. The Technical Report documents all data and data collection procedures for the Queensway Project up until mid-February 2022. The Technical Report is titled “Exploration Update of the Queensway Project Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada”. The effective date of the Technical Report is February 18, 2022.
The Qualified Persons for the Technical Report are Alan Lambden, P.Geo. of RD3D and R. Mohan Srivastava, P.Geo of RD3D (each a “QP” and together, the “QPs”), and “independent” of the Company, as defined in NI 43-101. Mr. Lambden takes sole responsibility for sections 2-9, 12, 23-25 of the Technical Report. Mr. Srivastava takes sole responsibility for sections 10, 11, 13-22 and Appendix A. Messrs. Lambden and Srivastava take joint responsibility for sections 1, 26 and 27. Mr. Srivastava has not visited the Queensway Project site; for matters that require verification during a personal inspection of the project, he relies on the site visit of Mr. Lambden.
The scientific and technical information in this section relating to the Queensway Project is derived from, and in some instances is a direct extract from, and is based on the assumptions, qualifications and procedures set out in, the Technical Report. Such assumptions, qualifications and procedures are not fully described in this AIF and the following summary does not purport to be a complete summary of the Technical Report. Reference should be made to the full text of the Technical Report, which is available for review under the Company’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Section 5 have the meanings given to such terms in the Technical Report.
The technical content disclosed in this Section 5 was reviewed and approved by the authors of the Technical Report who are a Qualified Persons as defined in NI 43-101.
5.2 |
Location and Access
The Queensway Project lies near the geographic centre of the island of Newfoundland on the east coast of Canada. The mineral claims of New Found cover 151,025 hectares in a swath of land approximately 100 km long and 10-20 km wide, from north of the TransCanada Highway (“TCH”) near the town of Gander to the Bay d’Espoir Highway (Figure 1). The approximate centre of the New Found mineral claims is UTM (Zone 21N): 650000E, 540000N, Latitude/Longitude: 48°45’N, 55°W.
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Figure 1. Location of the Queensway Project mineral claims (Source: RedDot3D)
The property can be reached by the TCH which passes through the Queensway North portion of the property. It can also be accessed by the road along the Northwest Gander River, which runs on the west of the Queensway South claims area from Gander Lake and crosses the river into the Queensway South claims at a steel bridge approximately 15km south of Gander Lake. Within the claims area, most of the Queensway Project is accessible via gravel forest access roads, including the Appleton Fault Zone (“AFZ”) road, the Joe Batt’s Pond Fault Zone (“JBPFZ”) road to H Pond, and Joe Batt’s Pond Road. Many quad/harvester trails and winter roads provide access for heavy equipment when required. The areas with the most difficult access are those in the far south of the Queensway South area. These are best reached by forest roads from Route 360, the Bay d’Espoir Highway, that leaves the TCH at Bishop’s Falls.
Mineral licenses along the shores of Gander Lake can easily be accessed by boat. Convenient and inexpensive air travel to most of the Queensway Project is available from helicopter bases in Appleton and Gander, and from bush planes based at the international airport in Gander. The nearest seaports are north of the TCH at Lewisporte and Botwood, 40 and 70km, respectively, by road from Glenwood. Both have good harbours; however, sea ice has disrupted winter shipping in some years.
The nearest large community is Gander, 12 km to the east of the Queensway North claims along the TCH, which has an international airport and most of the equipment, labour and supplies required for exploration. The small town of Appleton lies within the Queensway North claims area and the neighbouring town of Glenwood lies across the Gander River, just to the west of the Queensway Project’s claims. Combined they have a population of ~1400, many of whom work in the resource sectors, and are also a source for workers and support staff. A helicopter base and an environmental remediation company are located in Appleton. Skilled and semi-skilled workers can also be found in Grand Falls – Windsor, a town with a slightly larger population than Gander that lies 76 km west of the Queensway North claims along the TCH.
No technical assessment has yet been done of potential sites for the surface infrastructure that a future mine would require, such as areas for the storage of tailings and waste, or a processing plant. Once suitable sites have been identified for surface infrastructure, New Found will make an application to the province’s Department of Industry, Environment, and Technology to convert the mineral licences covering those areas to mining leases.
Electricity is available from the Newfoundland provincial grid, which has three electricity transmission corridors that cross the Queensway Project lands:
1. | A 350 kV HVDC direct-current line, which passes through the approximate center of the Queensway South licenses. |
2. | Two 138 kV HVAC transmission lines to the north of the TCH crossing the AFZ and JBPFZ trends on the Queensway North licenses. |
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3. | A 69 kV HVAC transmission line that approximately parallels the TCH to the north across the AFZ and JBPFZ trends on the Queensway North licenses and follows the TCH and secondary routes. |
Water Supply
Other than the water use licenses summarized herein, there is currently no developed water supply or water right attached to the Queensway Project. However, when the need arises, New Found can apply for permission to draw water from the many bodies of water within its mineral claims. The towns of Appleton and Glenwood have municipal water and sewer systems. The buildings and ancillary facilities on the Queensway Project mineral claims include residential, commercial and industrial buildings and facilities in the towns of Appleton and Glenwood and cabins and cottages outside municipal boundaries. In the Appleton Industrial Park, New Found has purchased eight lots that host a fenced-in core yard, an office trailer, a shipping container and a trailer-style camp for drill crews.
There are no tailings disposal areas located on the Queensway Project site. Given the very large area covered by New Found’s mineral licenses, it is likely that a suitable site for tailing storage could be found within the project lands. The tailings storage facility of the Beaver Brook Antimony Mine lies outside the western boundary of the Queensway Project.
There are currently no waste disposal areas located on site. With proper engineering and environmental controls, it is likely that a suitable site for waste disposal area could be found within the project lands. GEMTEC Consulting Engineers and Scientists Limited of Paradise, Newfoundland has completed a waste management plan. The province has adopted a regional waste strategy with the Central Newfoundland Waste Management site located at Norris Arm North, some 38 km west of Appleton on the TCH.
Mineral Titles
Mineral rights in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador are managed by the Mineral Lands Division of the Newfoundland Department of Industry, Energy, and Technology, which coordinates map-staking of Crown mineral licences through the online Mineral Lands Administration Portal (MinLAP) system. Within the area of a mineral licence there are separate mineral claims, up to 256 per licence area. New Found’s land package includes 86 map-staked mineral licences containing a total of 5,983 mining claims. The province requires licence-holders to spend a minimum amount on their exploration activities each year. These minimum expenditure commitments increase with time: the first five years require $200, $250, $300, $350 and $400/year/claim, respectively. Assessment requirements continue for up to 30 years with increasing costs as follows: $600/claim for years six through ten, $900/claim for years 11 through 15, $1,200/claim for years 16 through 20, $2,000/claim for years 21 through 30. Renewal fees paid directly to the government, which also increase with time, are required every five years (at years 5, 10, 15, 20) and annually for years 21 through 29.
Surface Rights
New Found does not own surface rights on the Queensway Project. On an as-needed basis, New Found negotiates agreements that allow exploration activities to be conducted on property owned and administered by others, including the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, which administers Crown Lands, the municipalities of Appleton and Glenwood and property owners of residential properties in Appleton and Glenwood and of cottages and cabins outside municipal boundaries. In addition to stipulating the times when the Company can conduct work, and the nature of the work that is permitted, these agreements also specify New Found’s responsibility for restoring land to an acceptable condition following field activities. For activities on Crown Lands, approval is required from the Mineral Lands Division of the province’s Department of Industry, Energy, and Technology. The primary focus of these applications and approvals is to prevent or minimize adverse impacts on the environment, fish and wildlife.
Queensway Property
As seen in Figure 2, New Found has organized its land package into two large groups of contiguous licences, Queensway North and Queensway South, separated by Gander Lake. As map-staked mineral licenses, the project
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lands in the Queensway Project are subject to annual assessment requirements and claim renewal costs. In 2022, New Found’s minimum exploration expenditure obligation for the entire Queensway Project will be $1,480,000; in 2023, the minimum expenditure obligation will drop to $94,000. With the current drilling program scheduled to continue into 2023, and with ongoing surface reconnaissance and mapping activities, the money New Found spends on exploration is expected to exceed the required minimum. New Found’s annual renewal fees will be $11,600 for the claims that reach their renewal date in 2022; they will be $14,075 for the claims that reach their renewal date in 2023.
Figure 2. Groups of mineral licences (Source: RedDot3D)
In addition to the mineral licences staked by New Found, the Queensway Project also includes optioned claim packages that were negotiated by New Found from 2016 through 2018 under nine separate option agreements. These option agreements granted mineral rights to New Found in return for a combination of scheduled lump-sum payments, New Found shares and net smelter return (“NSR”) royalties to individuals and companies. As of September 2021, when the last of the option payments was made, New Found had met all of the conditions and had earned 100% ownership.
All of New Found’s mineral licences carry an NSR royalty. Some of these arise from agreements struck with companies and individuals who optioned their mineral rights to New Found in return for financial compensation that included NSR royalties. Others arise from financing provided by GoldSpot Discoveries Corp in 2019 and 2020.
Many of New Found’s option and financing agreements have included a buy-back provision that allows the company to reduce the NSR royalty by making a lump-sum payment to the holder of the royalty. New Found has already exercised the buyback option on some of its agreements. The colour coding in Tables 1 and 2 shows the current NSR royalty and the amount that could still be bought back. Currently, the NSR royalties range from 0.4% to 2.5%. Were the company to exercise all of its buy-back rights, the NSR royalties would range from 0.4% to 1.5%.
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Table 1. Queensway South mineral licences
QUEENSWAY SOUTH | ||||||||||||
MinLAP File Number | Location | Number of Claims | Area (km2) | Next Renewal Year | 30-year expiry | | MinLAP File Number | Location | Number of Claims | Area (km2) | Next Renewal Year | 30-year expiry |
022236M | SW Gander River | 5 | 1.25 | 2024 | 2044 | | 030716M | Third Berry Hill Pond | 224 | 56 | 2025 | 2050 |
022260M | SW Gander River | 1 | 0.25 | 2024 | 2044 | | 030722M | Hunt's Pond | 149 | 37.25 | 2025 | 2050 |
022342M | SW Gander River | 1 | 0.25 | 2024 | 2044 | | 030726M | Joe's Feeder Cove | 5 | 1.25 | 2025 | 2050 |
023239M | Paul’s Pond | 2 | 0.5 | 2025 | 2045 | | 030727M | Dead Wolf Brook | 195 | 48.75 | 2025 | 2050 |
023495M | NW Gander River | 5 | 1.25 | 2025 | 2045 | | 030733M | Rocky Brook | 173 | 43.25 | 2025 | 2050 |
023498M | NW Gander River | 8 | 2 | 2025 | 2045 | | 030737M | Caribou Lake | 247 | 61.75 | 2025 | 2050 |
024435M | Greenwood Pond | 7 | 1.75 | 2026 | 2046 | | 030739M | Great Gull River | 224 | 56 | 2025 | 2050 |
024436M | Greenwood Pond | 3 | 0.75 | 2026 | 2046 | | 030740M | Ribbon Ponds | 1 | 0.25 | 2025 | 2050 |
024557M | Bear Pond | 250 | 62.5 | 2026 | 2046 | | 030741M | SW Gander River Cove | 2 | 0.5 | 2025 | 2050 |
024558M | Great Gull River | 239 | 59.75 | 2026 | 2046 | | 030742M | Steeles Brook | 32 | 8 | 2025 | 2050 |
024559M | NW Gander River | 256 | 64 | 2026 | 2046 | | 030745M | Dead Wolf Brook | 101 | 25.25 | 2025 | 2050 |
024560M | Careless Brook | 121 | 30.25 | 2026 | 2046 | | 030746M | SW Islands View | 3 | 0.75 | 2025 | 2050 |
024561M | Eastern Pond | 256 | 64 | 2026 | 2046 | | 030747M | Owl Pond | 37 | 9.25 | 2025 | 2050 |
024562M | Hussey Pond | 241 | 60.25 | 2026 | 2046 | | 030748M | SW Pond | 140 | 35 | 2025 | 2050 |
024563M | Eastern Pond | 236 | 59 | 2026 | 2046 | | 030752M | Miguel's Lake | 78 | 19.5 | 2025 | 2050 |
024565M | Gander Lake | 12 | 3 | 2026 | 2046 | | 030753M | Gander Lake | 3 | 0.75 | 2025 | 2050 |
024566M | Gander Lake | 125 | 31.25 | 2026 | 2046 | | 030754M | Little Gander Lake | 172 | 43 | 2025 | 2050 |
024567M | Gander Lake | 106 | 26.52 | 2026 | 2046 | | 030755M | Rocky Brook | 30 | 7.5 | 2025 | 2050 |
024568M | Birch-Pond | 254 | 63.5 | 2026 | 2046 | | 030756M | SW Pond | 88 | 22 | 2025 | 2050 |
024569M | SW Gander River | 221 | 55.25 | 2026 | 2046 | | 030763M | Rocky Brook | 45 | 11.25 | 2025 | 2050 |
024570M | Dennis Brook | 117 | 29.25 | 2026 | 2046 | | 030765M | Berry Hill Brook | 124 | 31 | 2025 | 2050 |
024571M | Winter Brook | 153 | 38.25 | 2026 | 2046 | | 030768M | Gander Lake Prime | 149 | 37.25 | 2025 | 2050 |
025766M | Paul’s Pond | 163 | 40.75 | 2026 | 2046 | | 030771M | NW Gander River | 37 | 9.25 | 2025 | 2050 |
030710M | Little Dead Wolf Pond | 144 | 36 | 2025 | 2050 | | 030783M | Little Dead Wolf Brook | 41 | 10.25 | 2025 | 2050 |
Current Royalty and Buyback Terms
1.0% NSR royalty with no buyback provision
1.0% NSR royalty with a 0.5% buyback provision (i.e. half the royalty can be bought back)
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1.6% NSR royalty with a 1% buyback provision
Table 2. Queensway North mineral licences, and the separate licence areas of Twin Ponds, Bellman’s Pond and Little Rocky Brook
Current Royalty and Buyback Terms
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0.4% NSR royalty with no buyback provision 1.0% NSR royalty with a 0.5% buyback provision
0.6% NSR royalty with no buyback provision 1.6% NSR royalty with a 1% buyback provision
1.0% NSR royalty with no buyback provision 2.2% NSR royalty with a 1% buyback provision
1.0% NSR royalty with no buyback provision 2.5% NSR royalty with a 1% buyback provision
Environmental Liabilities and Permitting
Exploration activities require approval from the Mineral Lands Division of the province’s Department of Industry, Energy, and Technology. These specify the activities that are allowed and the area; they are typically valid for one year and can be renewed. Activities that require water to be drawn from surface waterways or from aquifers require a water use licence. These are typically valid for five years and can be renewed. A licence to occupy is needed when field work requires a camp that houses staff, serves as office and storage space and a base of operations. These are typically valid for five years and can be renewed. When field activities occur within a Protected Public Water Supply Area (PPWSA), restoration requirements and constraints on field activities are stipulated in a “Section 39 Permit” that is typically valid for one year and can be renewed. Table 3 summarizes the permits, licences and approvals that have currently been granted.
Table 3. Current Environmental Permits, Licences and Approvals
File Number |
| Expiry Date |
| Activities |
E210343 | | Jun 10, 2022 | | Geochemical surveying, including sampling of soils and tills. |
| | | | |
E210350 | | Jun 17, 2022 | | Trenching for surface reconnaissance. |
| | | | |
WUL/P-21-12147 | | Oct 15, 2026 | | Water use permit for fly camp at Bernard’s Pond. |
| | | | |
LO-158603 | | Nov 18, 2026 | | Permission to operate a fly camp at Bernard’s Pond. |
| | | | |
E210588 | | Sep 6, 2022 | | North and South Herman’s Ponds drilling from barge and from ice. |
| | | | |
E210644 | | Oct 6, 2022 | | Permission for drilling at Twin Ponds. |
| | | | |
PRO-12203-2021 | | Nov 10, 2022 | | PPWSA Section 39 Permit for Twin Ponds drilling. |
| | | | |
E210689 | | Oct 14, 2022 | | Passive seismic program at Queensway North. |
| | | | |
E210699 | | Nov 4, 2021 | | Renewal of approval to drill at Queensway North. |
Applying for exploration permits for new field programs and renewing existing permits for continuing programs are ongoing administrative activities for New Found. Applications are being developed for other planned activities, including drilling at Queensway South, regional prospecting, geophysical surveys and expanded geochemistry studies of soil and till.
Mineral licences 024557M, 024558M, 024561M, 024563M, 024568M, and 024570M, all of which lie in the south of Queensway South, are restricted from exploration activities from mid-May to early-July as this area is a spring habitat for Newfoundland caribou.
The QPs are not aware of any other restrictions to New Found’s exploration activities, which can generally be conducted year-round once the necessary approvals have been received from the Mineral Lands Division, and/or from the relevant municipal governments and individual property owners.
5.3 |
Prior Ownership and Ownership Changes
The Queensway Project lands whose mineral rights are now 100%-owned by New Found cover a very large area: more than 1% of the island of Newfoundland, with more than 6,000 mineral claims in 86 mineral licence areas. Going
25
all the way back to when Newfoundland joined Canada, this area has been prospected by several dozen individuals who have staked claims either in their own name or in the name of the private company through which they conduct their prospecting activities. The claims have been optioned at different times to larger mining companies, many of them public. Private and public companies have worked together in joint ventures and with different groups of individual prospectors, dropped options and entered into new joint ventures and option agreements, sometimes with the same partners and sometimes with new partners.
From historical assessment reports, Table 4 summarizes the many companies and individuals who are known to have held exploration and mineral rights in the Queensway Project area up until the consolidation of the land package that New Found now controls. Wherever activities can be associated with one of the mineral licence areas now held by New Found, the table gives the mineral licence number used in MinLAP. Where historical assessment reports describe activities that cover a broad area that cannot be associated with a specific mineral licence area, the area is described, as precisely as possible.
Since the discovery of the gold prospect at Jonathan’s Pond in the early 1980s, exploration in the Queensway Project area has often followed two linear mineralized trends that run in a SSW − NNE direction: the Appleton Fault Zone and the Joe Batt’s Pond Fault Zone. These run approximately parallel to one another, about five kilometres apart. Where Table 4 refers to these with a “North” or “South” label, it is Gander Lake that separates the northern part of these fault zones from the southern.
Table 4. Previous owners of mineral rights in the area covered by the Queensway Project, their exploration programs and methods, with notable gold assays and results
Years | Companies | Optionor / Prospector | Location | General prospecting | Geological mapping | Surface sampling | Petrography | Grid studies | Relogging | Geophysics | Trenching | Drilling | Notable gold assays |
1955 − 1956 | Newfoundland and Labrador Corporation | | Caribou | | ✓ | | | | | ✓ | | ✓ | Base metal focus, only trace amounts of gold in drill hole samples. |
1970s | John's Manville | | Gander | ✓ | | | | | | | | | Base metal focus |
1970s | Phillips Management | | Gander | ✓ | | | | | | | | | Base metal focus |
1971 1977 | International Mogul Mines | | Jonathan's | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | | | ✓ | | ✓ | Base metal focus |
1974 | Bison Petroleum | NALCO | Caribou | | | | | | | ✓ | | ✓ | Base metal focus |
1979 − 1981 | Hudson's Bay Oil & Gas | NALCO | Gander | | ✓ | | | | | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Base metal focus |
1980 1982 | Westfield Minerals | | Jonathan's | ✓ | | ✓ | | | | | ✓ | | Blackwood discovery follow-up |
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1981 | MD & K Agencies | L. Murphy | Gander River | ✓ | | | | | | | | | | | ||
1984 | Duval International | | Caribou Lake | | | ✓ | | | | | | | | Pan concentrates of till with assays from 1 ppm to 30 ppm |
Table 4 (continued). Previous owners of mineral rights in the area covered by the Queensway Project, their exploration programs and methods, with notable gold assays and results
Years | Companies | Optionor / Prospector | Location | General prospecting | Geological mapping | Surface sampling | Petrography | Grid studies | Relogging | Geophysics | Trenching | Drilling | Notable gold assays |
1987 | US Borax | L. Murphy | 2738M | | ü | | | | | ü | | ü | |
1987 - 1988 | Noranda | | Gander Lake Outflow | | | ü | | ü | | ü | ü | ü | 5 - 28 ppm (outcrop samples) |
1987 − 1989 | Falconbridge | | Caribou Lake | | ü | ü | | | | ü | | ü | |
1987 − 1991 | Falconbridge | | Joe Batt's Pond | ü | ü | ü | | | | | ü | ü | Base metal prospect |
1988 | Lacana Mining Corp | | Gander Lake | ü | | ü | | | | | | | |
1988 | Kidd Creek Newfoundland | | Joe Batt's Pond | | ü | ü | | | | | | | Primary focus was nickel |
1988 | Lucero Resource Corp | | 3144M | ü | | ü | | | | | | | |
1988 | Atlantic Goldfields | Jascan Resources | Great Bend | | ü | ü | | | | ü | | ü | |
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Table 4 (continued). Previous owners of mineral rights in the area covered by the Queensway Project, their exploration programs and methods, with notable gold assays and results
Years | Companies | Optionor / Prospector | Location | General prospecting | Geological mapping | Surface sampling | Petrography | Grid studies | Relogging | Geophysics | Trenching | Drilling | Notable gold assays |
1988 − 1989 | Roycefield Resources | | NW Gander River | | | | | | | | | | Optioned licences over Noranda/Noront antimony discoveries, creating the Beaver Brook Antimony Mine. |
1988 − 1990 | Noranda Exploration | | Twin Ponds | | | ✓ | | ✓ | | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 2.45 ppm (pan concentrate) |
1988 − 1990 | Noranda Exploration | | NW Gander River | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | | | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Drilling encounters strong antimony mineralization. |
1989 | Noranda Exploration | | JBPFZ | | | | | | | ✓ | | | |
1989 | Noranda Exploration | | Gander River | | ✓ | ✓ | | | | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
1989 − 1990 | BP Resources Canada | L. Murphy | Great Bend | | ✓ | ✓ | | | | | | | |
1989 − 1990 | | L. Murphy | Bear Pond | ✓ | | | | | | | | | |
1990 − 1991 | Manor Resources | | Twin Ponds | ✓ | | ✓ | | ✓ | | ✓ | | ✓ | 2 ppm (soil sample) |
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Table 4 (continued). Previous owners of mineral rights in the area covered by the Queensway Project, their exploration programs and methods, with notable gold assays and results
Years | Companies | Optionor / Prospector | Location | General prospecting | Geological mapping | Surface sampling | Petrography | Grid studies | Relogging | Geophysics | Trenching | Drilling | Notable gold assays |
1991 | Noranda Exploration | L. Murphy | NW Gander River | | ✓ | | | | | | | | |
1992 1994 | Gander River Minerals | | AFZ | | | | | | | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 2.3 m @ 14.8 ppm (drill hole) |
1993 − 1995 | | J. Clarke | Paul's Pond | ✓ | | | | | | | | | |
1995 | | L. Dwyer | Big Pond | ✓ | | | | | | | | | |
1995 | | M. Stacey | Big Pond | ✓ | | | | | | | | | |
1995 | | J. Bouzanne | Big Pond | ✓ | | | | | | | | | |
1995 | New Island Minerals | | NW Gander River | ✓ | | ✓ | | | | | | | |
1995 | BP Minerals Canada | | Bruce Pond | | | | | | | | ✓ | ✓ | |
1995 | | R. Butler | SW Gander River | ✓ | | | | | | | | | |
1995 | | R. Churchill | SW Gander River | ✓ | | | | | | | | | |
1995 | | W. Pickett | SW Gander River | ✓ | | | | | | | | | |
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Table 4 (continued). Previous owners of mineral rights in the area covered by the Queensway Project, their exploration programs and methods, with notable gold assays and results
Years | Companies | Optionor / Prospector | Location | General prospecting | Geological mapping | Surface sampling | Petrography | Grid studies | Relogging | Geophysics | Trenching | Drilling | Notable gold assays |
1995 − 2004 | | L.L. Chan | Paul's Pond | ✓ | | ✓ | | | | | | | 7.68 ppm (till) |
1997 | Lauren Exploration | | NW Gander River | | ✓ | ✓ | | | | | | | |
1997 1998 | | P. Crocker | AFZ | ✓ | | ✓ | | | | | | | 153.4 ppm (grab sample) |
1997 1999 | Krinor Resources | A. & K. Keats | Joe Batt's Pond | ✓ | | ✓ | | | | | | | |
1997 − 2001 | Altius Minerals | Forex Resources | Aztec Trend | ✓ | | ✓ | | ✓ | | ✓ | | | 2.1 ppm (grab sample) |
1998 2016 | Krinor Resources | A. & K. Keats | AFZ | ✓ | | | | | | | | | Discovery of Dome prospect |
1999 2000 | United Carina | | AFZ | ✓ | | ✓ | | ✓ | | | ✓ | ✓ | Several drill hole intervals with gold grades above 10 ppm. |
1999 − 2000 | | S. Baldwin | AFZ & JBPFZ | ✓ | | | | | | | | | |
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Table 4 (continued). Previous owners of mineral rights in the area covered by the Queensway Project, their exploration programs and methods, with notable gold assays and results
Years | Companies | Optionor / Prospector | Location | General prospecting | Geological mapping | Surface sampling | Petrography | Grid studies | Relogging | Geophysics | Trenching | Drilling | Notable gold assays | |||||||||||||
1999 − 2000 | | F. Pollett | AFZ & JBPFZ | ✓ | | | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||
1999 − 2001 | Cornerstone Resources | | Paul's Pond | ✓ | | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | ✓ | | | 0.8 − 2.1 ppm (grab samples) | |||||||||||||
2000 | Consolidate Pine Channel Gold Corp. | UCA | Appleton | ✓ | | ✓ | | | | ✓ | | | | |||||||||||||
2000 | | L. Quinlan | 6752M | ✓ | | | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||
2000 | | D. Walsh | Joe Batt's Pond | ✓ | | | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||
2000 2002 | | T. Lush | 6821M | ✓ | | ✓ | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||
2000 2002 | | C. Reid | AFZ to JBPFZ | ✓ | | | | | | | | | VG noted near Gander Lake | |||||||||||||
2000 2009 | | L. & E. Quinlan | AFZ | ✓ | | ✓ | | | | | | | Discovered Lachlan prospect | |||||||||||||
2001 − 2002 | South Coast Ventures | | QWS | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||
2001 − 2002 | | K. Keats | Eastern Pond | ✓ | | | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||
2002 | Grayd Resources | Fortis GeoServices | Greenwood Pond | ✓ | ✓ | | | ✓ | | ✓ | ✓ | | 10.9 ppm (grab sample) |
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Table 4 (continued). Previous owners of mineral rights in the area covered by the Queensway Project, their exploration programs and methods, with notable gold assays and results
Years | Companies | Optionor / Prospector | Location | General prospecting | Geological mapping | Surface sampling | Petrography | Grid studies | Relogging | Geophysics | Trenching | Drilling | Notable gold assays | |
2002 − 2005 | Candente Resources | | Greenwood Pond | ✓ | | | | ✓ | | ✓ | | ✓ | >1,000 ppm (quartz boulders) | |
2002 − 2005 | Crosshair Exploration | | Big Pond | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| |
| ✓ | ✓ | 40 − 50 ppm (trench samples) | |
2003 | Candente Resources | | AFZ | | ✓ | | ✓ | ✓ | | | ✓ | ✓ | 0.4 m @ 7.2 ppm (drill hole) | |
2003 | Altius Minerals | | Burnt Lake | | ✓ | ✓ | | | | | ✓ | | | |
2003 | VVC Exploration | Black Bart Prospecting | AFZ | | | ✓ | | | | | | ✓ | | |
2003 | Rubicon Minerals | L., R. & E. Quinlan | Gander Lake Outflow | ✓ | | ✓ | | | | | | | | |
2003 | Falcon Ventures | | Gander River | | ✓ | ✓ | | | | | | | | |
2003 2004 | Rubicon Minerals | D. Wade | JBPFZ | ✓ | | | | | | ✓ | | | |
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Table 4 (continued). Previous owners of mineral rights in the area covered by the Queensway Project, their exploration programs and methods, with notable gold assays and results
Years | Companies | Optionor / Prospector | Location | General prospecting | Geological mapping | Surface sampling | Petrography | Grid studies | Relogging | Geophysics | Trenching | Drilling | Notable gold assays |
2003 − 2005 | Spruce Ridge Resources | Black Bart Prospecting | Hunt's Cove | ✓ | | | | | | | | | |
2003 2006 | Paragon Minerals | KriASK Syndicate | JBPFZ | ✓ | | ✓ | | ✓ | | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 1x0.5 m boulder with 798 ppm Au gives the 798 Zone its name. |
2003 − 2006 | Rubicon Minerals | | Twin Ponds | | | | | | | ✓ | ✓ | | |
2004 | Spruce Ridge Resources | Black Bart Prospecting | Joe Batt's Pond | ✓ | | | | | | | | | |
2004 | VVC Exploration | | Paul's Pond | ✓ | | | | | | | | | |
2004 | Rubicon Minerals | A., E. & T. Keats | Joe Batt's Pond | | | ✓ | | | | | | | |
2004 | Rubicon Minerals | C. & M. Reid | Gander Lake | ✓ | | ✓ | | | | | | | |
2004 | | G. Lewis | 8276M | ✓ | | | | ✓ | | | | | |
33
Table 4 (continued). Previous owners of mineral rights in the area covered by the Queensway Project, their exploration programs and methods, with notable gold assays and results
Years | Companies | Optionor / Prospector | Location | General prospecting | Geological mapping | Surface sampling | Petrography | Grid studies | Relogging | Geophysics | Trenching | Drilling | Notable gold assays | ||
2004 2005 | Spruce Ridge Resources | | Gander Lake | ✓ | | ✓ | | | | | ✓ | | 1.2 ppm (trench sample) | ||
2004 − 2005 | Crosshair Exploration | | Paul's Pond | ✓ | | ✓ | | ✓ | | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 10 − 15 ppm (trench samples) | ||
2005 | Noranda Exploration | | Twin Ponds | | | | | | | | | ✓ | | ||
2005 | Spruce Ridge Resources | | Glenwood Park | ✓ | | ✓ | | | | | | | | ||
2005 | Rubicon Minerals | T. Lush | 9713M | | ✓ | ✓ | | | | | ✓ | | | ||
2005 | | K. Keats | 9776M | ✓ | | | | | | | | | | ||
2005 2014 | | R. & E. Quinlan | AFZ to JBPFZ | ✓ | | ✓ | | | | | | | 18.7 ppm (grab sample) | ||
2007 2008 | Paragon Minerals | | AFZ | | | | | | ✓ | | | ✓ | Last drilling on AFZ pre-NFG. | ||
2007 2008 | Paragon Minerals | A. Turpin | 10377M | ✓ | | ✓ | | | | | | | |
34
Table 4 (continued). Previous owners of mineral rights in the area covered by the Queensway Project, their exploration programs and methods, with notable gold assays and results
Years | Companies | Optionor / Prospector | Location | General prospecting | Geological mapping | Surface sampling | Petrography | Grid studies | Relogging | Geophysics | Trenching | Drilling | Notable gold assays |
2007 − 2010 | | J. Sceviour | Paul's Pond | ✓ | | ✓ | | | | | | | Surface float samples above 0.2 ppm |
2007 2011 | Paragon Minerals | C. Reid | JBPFZ | ✓ | | ✓ | | | | | ✓ | ✓ | |
2007 − 2015 | | M. and N. Noel | Big Pond | ✓ | | | | | | | | | |
2007 − 2015 | | G. Lewis | Big Pond | ✓ | | | | | | | | | |
2007 − 2015 | | N. Pinsent | Big Pond | ✓ | | | | | | | | | |
2007 − 2015 | | L. Quinlan | Big Pond | ✓ | | | | | | | | | |
35
Table 4 (continued). Previous owners of mineral rights in the area covered by the Queensway Project, their exploration programs and methods, with notable gold assays and results
Years | Companies | Optionor / Prospector | Location | General prospecting | Geological mapping | Surface sampling | Petrography | Grid studies | Relogging | Geophysics | Trenching | Drilling | Notable gold assays |
2009 − 2010 | Golden Dory Resources | | Greenwood Pond | ✓ | | | | | | | | | |
2010 | KriASK Syndicate | | Gander River | ✓ | | | | | | | | | |
2011 | Altius Minerals | | Jonathan's Pond | ✓ | | | | | | | | | |
2011 | | A. Budden | 15472M | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | | | | | | |
2011 - 2012 | Soldi Ventures | | AFZ | | | | | | | | | ✓ | 5.4m @ 9.8 ppm (drill hole) |
2011 − 2012 | Metals Creek Resources | | Gander Lake | ✓ | | ✓ | | | | | ✓ | | 59.4 ppm (grab sample) |
2012 | Northern Skye Resources | | AFZ | | | | | | | ✓ | | | |
2014 | | S. Stockley | 20726M | ✓ | | ✓ | | | | | | | |
36
Following the many changes in ownership summarized in Table 4, Palisade Resources Corp. (later renamed to New Found Gold Corp.) began in 2015 to consolidate the large land package that now forms the Queensway Project, through map-staking unclaimed land and negotiating option agreements with others who held mineral licences.
Exploration by Previous Owners
From information provided in annual assessment reports filed with the provincial government, Table 4 summarizes the exploration activities of previous owners, grouping them under the following headings: Prospecting, Geological Mapping, Surface Sampling, Petrography, Grid Studies, Relogging, Geophysics, Trenching and Drilling.
Historical Drilling
Table 5 summarizes the drilling programs of the fourteen companies that have drilled on the property prior to New Found assuming 100% control of the Queensway Project. All the holes have been diamond drill holes, with core sizes ranging from narrow diameter BQ core, with a core diameter of 36 mm, to wider HQ core, with a core diameter of 64 mm.
Table 5: Summary of historical drilling at Queensway Project
Company | Start Date | End Date | Total Length | Number of Holes |
Newfoundland and Labrador Corporation (NALCO) | 12/12/1955 | 26/02/1956 | 1,224 m | 9 |
Bison Petroleum & Minerals | 6/9/1969 | 11/10/1969 | 832 m | 6 |
Hudson’s Bay Oil & Gas | 10/8/1980 | 18/09/1980 | 392 m | 7 |
Falconbridge | 23/9/1987 | 12/5/1991 | 3,523 m | 22 |
Noranda Exploration | 11/12/1987 | 8/11/1990 | 1,988 m | 23 |
Manor Resources | 29/06/1991 | 1/7/1991 | 204 m | 3 |
Gander River Minerals | 19/01/1993 | 14/02/1994 | 1,356 m | 13 |
United Carina Resources | 22/10/1999 | 4/3/2000 | 3,649 m | 38 |
Altius Resources | 16/10/2002 | 11/11/2002 | 1,007 m | 11 |
Candente Resources | 14/02/2003 | 6/10/2004 | 1,430 m | 9 |
VVC Exploration | 1/1/2003 | 25/02/2004 | 1,486 m | 18 |
Rubicon Minerals | 10/6/2004 | 15/03/2005 | 6,546 m | 43 |
Crosshair Exploration | 1/1/2005 | 26/05/2005 | 1,133 m | 11 |
Paragon Minerals | 14/01/2005 | 3/7/2008 | 5,914 m | 35 |
Richmont Mines | 15/8/2006 | 4/9/2006 | 974 m | 7 |
Soldi Ventures | 16/11/2011 | 8/2/2012 | 2,766 m | 23 |
TOTAL | 34,424 m | 278 |
Conclusions from Historical Drilling
The historical exploration campaigns in the Queensway Project area have provided abundant indications of strong gold mineralization, with many gold grades well above 100 ppm in mineralized boulders, till samples and drill hole intercepts. Despite many promising signs, historical exploration activities failed to identify a prospect worthy of
37
further advancement. Prior to New Found’s drilling in recent years, no one had been able to show, through drilling, that high grades in the bedrock had sufficient continuity and consistency to warrant further drilling and development.
Historical Mineral Resource and Reserve Estimates
No known mineral resources or reserves that are reported in compliance with NI 43-101 and the CIM Definition Standards exist within the Queensway Project.
Historical Production
There has been no historical mineral production from the Queensway Project reported.
5.4 |
Regional Geology
The island of Newfoundland lies at the northeastern extension of the Appalachian Mountain range that stretches along the east coast of the North American continent.
The island exists as a result of continental assembly and disassembly due to the natural shifting of major landmasses over geologic time. Around 540 million years ago, most of the planet’s continental landmass was clustered around the South Pole, forming a large continent known as Gondwana. Two smaller continents, known as Laurentia and Baltica were separated from Gondwana by the Iapetus Ocean. Central Newfoundland, where the Queensway project lies, is characterized by a series of sedimentary units that were laid down around this time when it was part of the ocean floor. At this time, the west coast of modern-day Newfoundland was on the eastern margin of Laurentia, while the eastern side of the island was part of Gondwana. As the continental plates continued to drift, the Iapetus Ocean closed, and the continents collided to form the super-continent Pangea. Approximately 200 million years ago, Pangea began to break apart, forming the Atlantic Ocean as the continental plates drifted to form the Earth we are now familiar with.
Continental collisions have left suture zones in the rocks: scars that can be traced across the Atlantic from Newfoundland to Ireland. The four major geological zones that span Newfoundland are essentially the packages of rocks between the suture zones:
· | the Humber Zone, consisting of rocks originally from the eastern edge of Laurentia; |
· | the Dunnage Zone, where the Queensway Project lies, that consists of rocks formed on the floor of the Iapetus Ocean; |
· | the Gander Zone, consisting of rocks originally from the western edge of Gondwana; and |
· | the Avalon Zone, consisting of rocks originally from Africa that became part of Newfoundland when Pangea broke apart. |
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Figure 3: Newfoundland’s major geologic zones
Local Geology
The Queensway Project lies in the Exploits Subzone of the Dunnage Zone (Figure 4) and is bounded by the “Gander River Ultramafic Belt” (GRUB) Line, which is the boundary between two of the island’s major geological zones, Dunnage and Gander (Figure 3), and is associated with the Gander River Complex, a domain of mafic−ultramafic intrusions and volcanics.
The majority of the project is within the Davidsville Group, which unconformably overlies the Gander River Complex in the east and consists of an interbedded succession of fossil-bearing mudstones, siltstones and sandstones that accumulated on the floor of the Iapetus Ocean. The Davidsville Group can be further divided into the Hunt’s Cove and Outflow Formations with the Barry’s Pond Formation occurring sporadically between the Davidsville and Gander River Complex. Continuing west, is the Indian Island Group, a shallow sea formation with brachiopod and mollusc fossils of Silurian/Devonian age. This is separated from the Davidsville Group by the Dog Bay Line, an Iapetus Ocean suture that can be traced through Ireland and the UK. The Mount Peyton Intrusive Suite intrudes the Indian Island
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Group and shares the boundary with the Davidsville Group. The entire region is covered with glacial till from the last Ice Age; the till thickens to the south, reaching 10 m in parts of Queensway South.
Figure 4: Local geology in the Queensway Project
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Property Geology
Mineralization
On the Queensway Project property, gold typically occurs as coarse grains of free gold in quartz-carbonate veins that are brecciated, massive-vuggy, laminated, or that have a closely spaced stockwork texture (Figure 5). Arsenopyrite is the mineral most commonly observed with gold (Figure 6). Boulangerite, a lead−antimony sulfosalt, is often associated with very high-grade mineralization but is much less common than arsenopyrite. Fine to coarse-grained disseminated pyrite occurs throughout the mineralized zones (Figure 6). High-grade gold mineralization, above 10 ppm, typically occurs in closely spaced quartz veins associated with fault and fracture zones; high-grade mineralization has not been observed outside the main vein arrays.
Figure 5. Typical gold-bearing quartz vein styles observed at the Queensway Project (Source: New Found).
Figure 6. Images of core from mineralized intervals in NFGC-19-01 (Source: New Found).
Alteration
A visually subtle hydrothermal alteration is present around the gold-bearing veins: a weak discoloration of the rock adjacent to quartz-carbonate veins, extended 2-10 m beyond the veins themselves. At the Keats and Lotto prospects, New Found has used hyperspectral core logging to identify a consistent alteration halo around the mineralized zones. Figure 7 shows a schematic of the mineralogical changes observed in white mica species, from aluminum-rich NH4
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muscovite close to the gold mineralization, as seen in Figure 6, to phengite, a mineral that commonly occurs with hydrothermal alteration, as one moves away from the zone. New Found continues to investigate methods for quantitative assessment of alteration halos; since the alteration halo is a larger target than the veins themselves, targeting of future drill holes would be improved by an ability to use the mineralogy of alteration halos as a yardstick for distance to strong gold mineralization.
Figure 7. Schematic illustration of mineralogical changes in white micas identified by hyperspectral imaging of core near strong gold mineralization (Source: RedDot3D)
Structure
Faulting and folding at the Queensway Project property is dominated by the series of collisions that sutured together rocks from different continental plates into today’s Newfoundland. These are compressional events that give rise to thrust faulting, where one package of rocks rides up on top of another, and to folding on both sides of the faults as the rocks are squeezed horizontally. Figure 8 shows an interpretation of the faulting and folding of the major rock units in the northern part of the project area, based on data from geophysical surveys and from surface mapping.
Figure 8. Interpretation of structure and lithology on a north-facing cross-section through Queensway North
(Source: New Found)
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Field measurements of structural features indicate compression in the NW−SE direction, consistent with the overall NE-striking regional geology trend and major suture zones. Secondary to the Dog Bay Line and the GRUB Line is the NE-striking, regional-scale Appleton Fault Zone, a thrust fault that runs the full +100 km strike length of the Queensway Project. Trending in a similar orientation and transecting the eastern portion of the project area is the Joe Batt’s Pond Fault Zone, a deformation corridor consisting of a network of faults that irregularly branch and reconnect. Both the AFZ and the JBPFZ are associated with the main gold prospects discovered to date. These fault zones are believed to be crustal-scale and the primary conduits that transported gold-bearing fluids from a deep orogenic source to the upper crust.
Significant Mineralized Zones
New Found’s exploration programs, supplemented by historical work done, has identified two significant mineralized trends north of Gander Lake.
Figure 9. Integrated geological map of lithology, shear zones and gold showings in Queensway North
(Source: New Found)
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First, the northern parts of the AFZ, where it exploits the contact between a package of black shales in the west and a sequence of interbedded shales and greywackes in the east (Figure 9). Along the 9.5 km length of this mineralized zone, surface reconnaissance and trenching has established 17 prospects, nine of which have been drilled by NFG, including Keats, which is the most extensively drilled of the many Queensway Project prospects. Mineralization is hosted in a network of brittle faults adjacent to the AFZ and crosscutting the NE-striking stratigraphy. These faults and associated gold-bearing vein arrays tend to strike approximately E-W or N-S and have moderate to steep dips. The full down-dip depth has not yet been established along the entire trend but is at least 300 m in drill holes in the Keats prospect.
Second, the northern parts of the JBPFZ from Gander Lake to north of H-Pond, located approximately 5 km east and running parallel to the AFZ (Figure 9). Along the 12.5 km strike length of this mineralized zone, surface reconnaissance and trenching has established nine prospects, five of which have been drilled by New Found. Mineralization is hosted in ductile - brittle deformation zones and associated irregular vein arrays that run parallel to the SW-striking, steeply west-dipping stratigraphy. The full down-dip depth has not yet been established along the entire trend but is at least 150−200 m in drill holes in the Pocket Ponds area and also in the 1744 Zone.
New Found’s drilling had confirmed that both of these mineralized corridors have the following geological characteristics:
· | strong gold mineralization occurs in quartz-carbonate veins associated with complex networks of brittle fault zones aligned with regional deformation zones that reach deep into the crust; and |
· | gold is associated with arsenic-bearing minerals, and also with antimony and tungsten. |
There is an alteration halo around most of the gold-rich veins which is well expressed in the changes in the mineralogy of the white micas. In addition to the mineralized zones north of Gander Lake that New Found has tested, there are more than 100 showings of gold from surface reconnaissance, trenching and historical drilling by other companies. Although New Found has not yet drilled its own holes in this area, it has done surface reconnaissance and trenching. Combined with historical exploration, New Found’s exploration in this area indicates that the style and orientation of gold mineralization is likely similar to New Found’s drill-tested showings to the north, along the same fault zone.
New Found has not yet drilled the mineralized showings south of Gander Lake. When it does, it expects that drilling here will be show that the geological character, mineralogical associations and alteration halos in Queensway South are similar to what have now been well defined in Queensway North.
5.5 |
Orogenic Gold Deposits
Orogenic gold deposits are understood to be created during continental plate collisions, when pressures and temperatures cause rocks to undergo metamorphism and dehydrate. Gold-bearing fluids are driven from the rocks and percolate through fissures and cracks. As these fluids migrate upwards, their temperature and pressure drop, causing gold, which is hard to keep in solution, to precipitate, often within quartz veins. Conditions that cause gold to precipitate from fluids can occur deep in the crust, where temperatures and pressures are high, and the rocks are ductile. At these great depths of 20 km or more, the strong metamorphism is described by geologists as being in the granulite facies. Orogenic gold deposits can also form much closer to the surface, only a few kilometres deep, where rocks are brittle and metamorphism is weaker, in the greenschist facies.
The brittle or ductile nature of the host rock and the intensity of metamorphism give rise to different styles of gold mineralization in orogenic gold deposits, with different associated minerals. The style of mineralization observed at
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the Queensway Project, with arsenic, antimony and tungsten often being associated with gold, is consistent with greenschist facies metamorphism at depths that are described in the technical literature as being epizonal to mesozonal.
Application of Deposit Type to Exploration Strategies
The understanding of the deposit type informs New Found’s approach to mineral exploration, which is tailored to orogenic quartz-vein-hosted gold mineralization. This includes structural, geochemical, and heavy mineral analysis of till samples, grab sampling, trenching and drill testing. Regional exploration is driven by the identification of first order regional-scale structures and related subsidiary fault-structures, as suggested by geophysical and core logging interpretations. Surface mapping and optical televiewer images allow planning of new drill holes to take into account information on the geometry of gold-bearing quartz veins and fault zones, with hole collars and orientations designed to intersect planar gold-bearing structures as close to perpendicular as possible.
5.6 |
Summary
In 2016, New Found, then Palisade Resources Corp., began exploration on the Queensway Project with a till sampling program in the Joe Batt’s Pond (JBP) area.
In 2017, New Found’s exploration focused on prospecting, with grab samples, geological mapping, trenching in the JBP area, a structural study of the trenched areas, and an airborne geophysical survey.
Exploration in 2018 included interpretation of data from geophysical surveys, a detailed structural geological survey, a significant regional till sampling program, soil surveys at the Yellow Fox and Jumbo Brook showings in Queensway South, regional prospecting, and surface trenching at JBPFZ. Satellite imagery was collected over the project area in the late spring and early summer of 2018. In late 2018 and early 2019, a culvert was replaced, and roads were upgraded between North and South Herman’s Pond along the Appleton Fault Zone to improve the ability of diamond drill rigs to access the area.
In 2019, exploration paused while a project-wide review of data was done in preparation for New Found’s first drilling program. With interest generated from this drilling, which began in late 2019, New Found undertook broader and more detailed till sampling programs in Queensway South and in the Twin Ponds area, a property-wide prospecting program and a trenching program along the AFZ. An airborne geophysical survey, using gravity and magnetic methods, was conducted over Queensway North in March 2020.
In 2021, NFG conducted an airborne geophysics survey over newly acquired licences. Field exploration continued with focused till sampling programs, prospecting programs and local soil surveys, mostly at Eastern Pond. Exploration studies in 2021 also included: a LiDAR and photogrammetry survey at Queensway North; hyperspectral satellite imagery for the southern parts of QWS; and trenching in Queensway South.
With data from surface reconnaissance and mapping, from surface till and grab samples, from trenches, from airborne geophysical surveys, and from drilling, New Found has identified ten well mineralized prospects along the Appleton Fault Zone and the Joe Batt’s Pond Fault Zone, two major fault zones that run southwest-to-northeast through the project area. Drilling has allowed New Found to establish the steeply dipping orientations of these prospects, and to establish their strike length: 9.45 km along the AFZ and 12.7 km along the JBPFZ. For most of the drill-tested prospects, the down-dip depth of strong gold mineralization is still unknown and remains to be established by future deeper drilling.
Prospecting
New Found’s prospecting programs typically consist of sampling outcrops and collecting samples of float material using existing forest access roads and foot traverses. In 2017, a total of 812 rock samples were collected, including:
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· | 587 from Queensway North (431 classified as float and 156 as outcrop); |
· | 174 from Queensway South (71 float and 103 outcrop); |
· | 35 from TP (5 float and 30 outcrop); and |
· | 16 from the Jonathan’s Pond mineral licence areas. |
A total of 556 rock samples were taken in 2018, including:
· | 112 from Queensway North (48 float and 64 outcrop); |
· | 374 from Queensway South (86 float and 288 outcrop); |
· | 48 from TP (25 float and 18 outcrop); and |
· | 22 from Jonathan’s Pond. |
A total of 1,366 rock samples were collected in 2020, including:
· | 134 from Queensway North (78 float and 41 outcrop); |
· | 1,182 from Queensway South (637 float and 428 outcrop); |
· | 4 samples from TP (3 float and 1 outcrop); and |
· | 46 samples from the Jonathan’s Pond mineral licence areas, which were sold to Exploits Discovery in 2020. |
A total of 2,228 rock samples were collected in 2021, including:
· | 288 from Queensway North (157 float and 104 outcrop); |
· | 1,726 from Queensway South (1,202 float and 353 outcrop); |
· | 214 from the newly acquired mineral licence areas at Little Rocky Brook, also known as the “777” mineral licence area. |
Of the 4,600 samples collected, 292 samples have yet to receive results of analysis by the effective date of the Technical Report. Of the remaining 4,308 samples:
· | 218 assayed above 0.50 ppm Au; |
· | 149 above 1 ppm Au; |
· | 37 above 5 ppm Au; |
· | 23 above 10 ppm Au; and |
· | 2 above 100 ppm Au. |
The highest values recorded are 1,131.2 and 568.2 ppm Au for two samples collected from the Big Dave Vein along the AFZ in Queensway North. At present, none of the prospecting samples taken from Queensway South has assayed above 20 ppm Au.
Geochemistry – Tills
The objective of sampling glacial tills is to detect and delineate dispersal trains of gold grains emanating from undiscovered quartz veins of potential significance. The ice flow direction in the Queensway Project area is understood to be in the northeast quadrant.
In 2016 a total of 59 samples from the C-horizon of the till were collected from hand-dug shovel pits on a portion of Queensway North. This study was contracted to ODM, who noted in their final report that all of the till samples collected from the area that year had abundant gold, with an average of more than 100 grains in the samples. The ODM report also noted that the pristine nature of most of the gold grains indicated that they had been transported over only a short distance, likely less than a kilometre.
In 2018, New Found began a program of both regional and detailed scale till sampling at Queensway South to assist with target generation for future work. The till sample locations were based on two grids designed around property boundaries, lakes, rivers, and boggy areas. Grid 1, the Regional Survey over Queensway South, generated 339 samples
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using a 2 km spacing and a 1 km offset on every second line. Grid 2, the Detailed Survey over the Queensway South, targeted a southwest magnetic anomaly from geophysics surveys, generated 276 samples using a 500 m spacing and a 250 m offset on every second line. In both grids, planned sites on the grid were not sampled if they had excessive organic material, were reworked fluvial material, were rocky ground, or were identified as not being true till material. From the samples collected at the 615 sites that were sampled, multielement ICP analyses were used to select 21 that were submitted to ODM for analysis of the gold grains. Late in 2018, New Found collected four additional till samples near the site where a single till sample from the 2016 program produced 1,744 gold grains.
Based on the results of earlier prospecting and some early till results New Found targeted 10 areas in QWS for more detailed till programs in 2020: Hunt’s Brook (96 samples), The Narrows (69 samples), Larsen’s Falls (100 samples), Pine Tree Hill (81 samples), Eastern Pond (118 samples), Eastern Pond Detailed (50 samples), Eastern Pond Infill (76 samples), and Great Gull River (82 samples). Programs were also conducted in the north at Twin Ponds (98 samples) and at Jonathan’s Pond (31 samples). The till sampling that began in 2020 at Larsen’s Falls and Pine Tree Hill continued into the following year.
In 2021, New Found focused its till sampling programs in Queensway North, specifically along the JBPFZ and at newly acquired ground in the Rocky Brook area. At JBPFZ, the goal of the 2021 program was to look for the edges of the pervasive anomaly identified there in 2016 by targeting one area north of the 2016 survey (151 samples) and another area west of the original survey (52 samples). Results from the 96 samples collected in the Rocky Brook area were not available at the time of the effective date of the Technical Report.
Till sampling continues in 2022, with a program begun at West Narrows along the Mustang Trend west of Gander Lake, around Yellow Fox and Careless Cove Brooks.
Geochemistry - Soils
In 2018, anomalous gold and arsenic values in float rock samples from the 2017 prospecting program in Queensway South were followed up with two gridded soil surveys. Samples were acquired from the B horizon, where possible, using a device known as a “Dutch auger” that is designed to collect soil samples in areas where the soil is dense with roots and fibrous vegetation. Samples were analyzed at Eastern Analytical in Springdale, NL, by fire assay and by multielement ICP.
The Jumbo Brook soil survey grid overlies the contact between the Davidsville Group to the east and the Indian Islands Group to the west. It used 11 lines, 1 km long and spaced 100 m apart, with an azimuth of N50°W. 21 of the 373 samples returned gold grades above 0.01 ppm. The better gold grades for soil and float samples appear to be clustered near the forest access road and suggest a possible source to the south-southwest, towards Thumbs-Up Pond or the boggy area west of it.
The Yellow Fox Brook soil survey grid covers the contact between the Davidsville Group to the east and the Ten Mile Lake Formation to the west. It used 11 lines, 1 km long and spaced 100 m apart, with an azimuth of N40°W. 12 of the 380 samples returned gold grades above 0.01 ppm. Samples along Yellow Fox Brook indicate a possible target to the north of the grid. Three of the 2017 prospecting float samples appear to line up in a north-easterly direction with the better soil samples. It has been difficult to form a definitive interpretation of the Yellow Fox Brook soil data because information on the direction of ice flow points to a south-lying source for the float and soil, opposite the interpretation developed from the soil data.
In 2021, New Found completed three small soil surveys at the Queensway Project. Two surveys acted as a test of whether soil surveys could recognize an anomalous gold signature in areas where till samples had produced high gold grades. Samples were taken at maximum allowable depths with a standard “Dutch auger” and sieved with a #80 screen, with the fines that passed through the sieve being sent to Eastern Analytical Labs for fire assay.
The 2021 soil programs also included a test of the mass spectrometer Halo mineral identifier on soil samples. The goal of this exercise was to determine if the Halo system could recognize alteration halos. With Halo being able to identify muscovite in 12 soil samples collected from the Cokes Zone, New Found plans to conduct further testing with larger samples to determine if Halo analysis of soil samples should become a routine exploration method in future.
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Generally, the results of the soil sampling programs to date have been inconclusive. Further work will be needed to establish whether soil sampling can improve targeting of drill holes.
Trenching
New Found’s trenching programs at the Queensway Project have focused on gold targets generated by prospecting and till sampling as well as by historical data compilations. Once the trench is opened by an excavator, channel samples and grab samples are collected. Channel samples are cut with a gas-powered saw with a diamond blade, and are typically 2−3 cm wide, 5−10 cm deep and 1 m long. Grab samples are taken to investigate vein differences or to substitute for channel samples where those could not be collected. All New Found trenches are backfilled at the end of each program. Trenches that cannot reach bedrock within the 6 m reach of the excavator arm are backfilled immediately, without sampling.
New Found’s trench programs in 2017, 2018 and 2020 focused on Queensway North areas; trenching started in Queensway South in 2021. Trenching has been a successful exploration method at the Queensway Project, with many of the gold zones identified or better defined through trenching.
The permit application for New Found’s 2017 trenching program included 94 proposed trenches approximately 25 m long and 1 m wide, to various depths, crossing the NE−SW regional trend of the Joe Batt’s Pond Fault Zone. Ultimately, 24 trenches were dug, with a total of 122 channel samples and 40 grab samples taken from five areas, including Quartz Pond (19 samples), the 798 Boulder Zone (29 samples), the Glass Showing (23 samples), the Joe Batts Trend (2 samples), and the Logan−Lachlan Zone (89 samples).
The permit application for New Found’s 2018 trenching program included 133 proposed trench locations along the JBPFZ. 12 of the proposed trenches were attempted before attention shifted to the Glass Showing, extending the 2017 trench to 150 m in length and up to 25 m in width. Many quartz veins exposed in the extended and expanded Glass Trench were mapped by drone, and channel sampled. Structural mapping was also carried out by GoldSpot as part of their regional-scale property review. The highest gold grade from the 2018 trench program was 44.7 ppm from a 10−12 cm quartz vein with semi-massive stringers of dark grey to black, pyrite and arsenopyrite, sampled at the northern end of the Glass Trench.
In 2020, 16 trenches were dug, mainly on the west side of the AFZ, near the town of Appleton, from the Hornet Zone in the south to Trench 36 in the north. Half of New Found’s 2020 trenches evaluated areas not previously trenched; the other half were dug to re-expose or extend trenches that had previously shown good results.
A total of 16 trenches were completed in 2021, with 114 channel samples from seven trenches at Aztec, Bernard’s Camp, Eastern Pond Brook, Junior’s Hook, and Joe’s Feeder and MT (Rattman). At the effective date of the Technical Report, results are still pending for 12 trench samples from Aztec and Junior’s Hook.
The highest grades seen in trench samples come from Queensway North; these include a channel sample from Trench 36 with a gold grade of 18.9 ppm, and two samples from the Glass Trench, with gold grades of 14.6 ppm and 13.3 ppm. In Queensway South, the highest gold grades in trench channel samples to date include a few from 3 ppm to 5 ppm.
QP Opinion on Representativity and Potential Bias of Exploration Samples
The QP responsible for the exploration section of the Technical Report, Mr. Lambden, is of the opinion that the soil, till and trench samples are representative of the regions where they were taken and provide unbiased measurements of the gold grades in those locations. Grab samples, by their very nature, often tend to be anomalous: prospectors are looking for gold and are more likely to find a surface sample interesting if it contains visible gold or if its visible mineralogy suggests that its gold grade might be high. The likely bias in grab samples is not problematic for exploration; in fact, gold-rich grab samples are advantageous because they help point exploration programs in the right direction as they search for the bedrock source of strong gold mineralization seen in surface samples. Bias in these types of exploration samples will not affect mineral resources estimates, if and when the project gets to that stage, because these will not be used for resource estimation.
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Airborne Geophysical Surveys
From low altitude flights that track back and forth across a study area on a regular grid, airborne geophysical surveys measure physical properties, like the minor perturbations in the local gravity field caused by density variations in the bedrock or subtle changes in the local magnetic field caused by changes in the mineralogical composition of the rocks beneath. The measurement acquired during an airborne geophysical survey can be mapped directly, can have their slope or gradient displayed (the “first derivative”), or can have the changes in the slope displayed (the “second derivative”). They can also be used in a process known as “inversion” to build a 3D model of the subsurface that is consistent with the observed measurements.
On behalf of New Found, CGG Canada Services Ltd. (“CGG”) flew a survey that measured magnetic and electrical properties over the Queensway Project area in 2017. Maps of the first derivative and second derivative of the magnetic field indicated that the geological structures suggested by geophysics do conform to trends identified from surface reconnaissance and sampling. In 2020, CGG flew a survey that measured the gravity and magnetic fields over Queensway North. Broad changes in the gravity field were consistent with mapped geologic features; the higher density of the rocks in the Gander River Ultramafic Complex on the east side of the Queensway Project area is evident in the gravity response. With finer details being more difficult to resolve, the CGG report suggests that a 3D interpretation of the subsurface is required to better use the data. In 2021, CGG flew a survey that measured the magnetic, radiometric and electrical properties over Queensway North and the eastern part of Queensway South. Broad changes in magnetic properties were again noted to be consistent with large mapped geologic features. The map of 1st derivative of the electrical chargeability field shows a low that runs just to the west of the Gander Lake Ultrabasic Complex. With this image providing considerable local detail, it may assist local mapping of structure.
Satellite Imagery
High resolution satellite imagery is useful for supporting the development of a detailed Graphical Information System data base for the project, including field mapping activities. In 2018, New Found contracted Pacific Geomatics Ltd. to use satellite imagery to create natural and false colour infrared images of the entire Queensway Project area with a pixel resolution of 30 cm in Queensway North and 50 cm in Queensway South. In 2021, multispectral satellite imagery for the southern portion of QWS was obtained from Digital Globe by Perry Remote Sensing LLC. The original plan was to acquire multispectral imagery for the entire Queensway Project area; but this was postponed due to cloud cover conditions and the onset of greening of trees and other vegetation in late spring. Perry Remote Sensing was able to acquire good multispectral images, at a pixel resolution of 50 cm, over the southern half of Queensway South and is currently analyzing these to define alteration mineral assemblages that can be checked by ground reconnaissance and to generate exploration targets. The work is currently ongoing and no interpretation or ground truthing has yet occurred.
Digital Elevation Models
High resolution models of the ground surface are helpful not only for checking ground survey information, such as drill hole collars, but can also be used to interpret faults and fractures which often manifest themselves as linear features on coloured pixel maps of elevation or its 1st and 2nd derivatives. When CGG flew its geophysical surveys in 2018, 2020 and 2021, a by-product of the data acquisition done for these studies was a digital terrain model for the area covered by the survey. In 2021, RPM Aerial Services performed a helicopter-based LiDAR survey of the Queensway North area and, at the same time, acquired high resolution digital images that will improve the Queensway Project’s GIS data base and its mapping activities.
5.7 |
From October to December 2019, New Found carried out a ten-hole diamond drill program at Queensway North. The program totalled 1,985 m of HQ core and targeted the Keats, Dome, Glass and 1744 Prospects (Figure 10 and Table 6). It was this program that identified significant mineralization at the historic Keats showing with the intercept of 75.21 ppm Au over 23.5 m in NFGC-19-01. In August 2020, New Found began a 200,000 m drill program targeting the 9.45 km mineralized strike length on the Appleton Fault Zone in Queensway North and the 12.7 km mineralized
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strike length of the Joe Batt’s Pond Fault Zone in Queensway North. As a result of initial follow-up drilling to the 2019 program at Keats, and the additional discoveries of Golden Joint and Lotto nearby, the program quickly doubled to 400,000 m in October 2021.
Queensway North has been the focus of New Found’s exploration activities and of all of its drilling to date. Through the effective date of the Technical Report (February 18, 2022), New Found has completed 531 diamond drill holes for a total of 144,637 m, all of it HQ core. Drilling is ongoing, part of a 400,000 m program that will eventually test all of the known gold showings, including those identified by previous prospectors and companies in Queensway South.
Figure 10. Queensway North property package with NFG drill-tested gold prospects and collar locations completed as of February 18th, 2022 (Source: New Found)
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Table 6. Summary of completed drill holes through February 18th, 2022
Drilling contractor New Valley Drilling of Springdale, NL, drilled with four rigs using two EF-50 and one A5 skid-mounted rig along with a track-mounted CS-1000, equipped to drill HQ size core. In February 2021, New Found contracted Rally Drilling (Rally) of Sussex, NB. As of February 18th, 2022, Rally drilled with three HTM2500, one EF-50 and one U6 skid-mounted rigs and a skid-mounted CS-1000, all equipped to drill HQ size core. Excavators were used to clear drill sites and move the rigs. Collars were foresighted using RTK GPS receivers and marked with pickets. Drill hole orientations were measured with a TN14 gyrocompass. Core was collected twice daily by New Found personnel. All completed holes were plugged and marked with a metal post to identify the hole and to act as a hazard warning. Downhole dip data were collected by the drill crews, using the Reflex EZ-Trac, starting at 15 m past the casing and at 50 m intervals downhole. An exit survey was completed at 15 m intervals upon completion of the hole.
All core was logged by New Found geologists under supervision of Miguel Nassif and Greg Matheson of New Found in a core logging facility in Gander, NL. Samples were cut or split on-site, and half-core samples were sent for preparation to ALS Minerals in Sudbury, Ontario and Moncton, New Brunswick or to Eastern Analytical in Springdale, NL. The pulps prepared by ALS were shipped to ALS Vancouver, British Columbia, for analysis. The pulps prepared by Eastern Analytical remained in Springdale for analysis. Details of analytical methods and data quality management systems are provided in Section 11. As of February 18th, 2022, complete assay results for 373 holes had been received. The QP is not aware of any drilling, sampling or recovery factors that could materially affect the accuracy and reliability of the drill hole location or assay data.
In March 2021, New Found contracted DGI Geoscience to undertake a downhole wireline logging campaign to collect optical televiewer (“OTV”) and acoustic televiewer (“ATV”) images to provide high resolution digital information on the orientations of faults and fractures. As of February 18th, 2022, 442 holes had OTV and ATV images; televiewer images could not be acquired in 40 holes in which the hole walls had collapsed or were unstable. Natural gamma and gamma-gamma density probes were added later during the program, and not run on every hole. By the effective date
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of the Technical Report, natural gamma logs were available for 344 holes and gamma-gamma density logs for 187 holes.
Keats
In August 2020, as follow-up to the 2019 drill program, New Found began incrementally stepping-out with diamond drilling from NFGC-19-01 identifying a brittle fault zone known as the “Keats-Baseline” that has an east-northeast strike (N55 E) and dips to the southeast at approximately 60 This brittle fault zone lies to the east of the Appleton Fault Zone and runs slightly oblique to it. This fault forms an extensive damage zone that is discordant to the stratigraphy, which has a northeast strike and a steep dip; it controls the development of a complex network of brittle, high-grade gold vein arrays that are epizonal in character (Figure 13). Gold mineralization is characterized by the presence of quartz-carbonate veins with vuggy, stylolitic and/or brecciated textures which often contain trace amounts of arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, boulangerite or pyrite, and which are associated with a NH4 muscovite alteration (Figure 12).
Of the 190 holes with complete assays received as of February 18, 2022, in the Keats prospect, 11% contain no significant intervals and 89% contain well mineralized intervals with more than 1 ppm Au over at least 2 metres of down-hole length. In the holes with well mineralized intervals, these intervals range from 2 m to 26.25 m, down-hole, with an average of 3.93 m; given the orientation of drilling relative to veins, true widths are approximately 60% to 95% of down-hole lengths.
Figure 11. Plan view of the Keats prospect with assays above 0.5 ppm Au projected to surface (Source: New Found)
52
Figure 12. Core photographs from NFGC-19-01: visible gold in A, C and D; vuggy quartz texture in B (Source: New Found)
Significant intercepts for the Keats prospect include the notable Keats Main zone intercepts of:
53
1Note that the host structures are interpreted to be steeply dipping and true widths are generally estimated to be 60% to 95% of reported intervals. Composite intervals reported carry a minimum weighted average of 1 g/t Au diluted over a minimum core length of 2m with a maximum of 2m consecutive dilution. Included high-grade intercepts are reported as any consecutive interval with grades greater than 10 g/t Au. Grades have not been capped in the averaging and intervals are reported as drill thickness.
Collar location information for the significant intercepts summarized:
These occur within a thickened domain of high-grade gold mineralization with demonstrated continuity that plunges to the southwest at approximately 30 and has been defined over a length of 545 m. This lens of very high-grade gold mineralization occurs within a dilational segment of the Keats-Baseline fault zone that experienced a high flow volume of mineralized fluids rich in gold.
A variety of fault and vein orientations have been encountered within and surrounding the Keats-Baseline fault, forming a complex network of high-grade vein splays bifurcating from the Keats-Baseline and the Appleton fault zones. Two vein orientations dominate, with the most prominent orientation being approximately parallel to the orientation of the Keats-Baseline fault zone. The “Keats Main” vein is an example of a vein with this orientation; it has been defined over a strike length of approximately 520 m and a depth of approximately 200 m, with a true width that ranges from less than 1 m to approximately 4 m. The Keats Main vein occurs within the Keats-Baseline fault and is accompanied by a complex array of high-grade gold veins of varying widths and orientations. Significant intercepts of 31.8 ppm Au over 4.85 m in NFGC-21-170 and 36.5 ppm Au over 3.0 m in NFGC-21-184 demonstrate the vertical continuity of the Keats Main vein.
The second common vein orientation at Keats is a westerly dip. An example of a vein with this orientation is the Equinox Vein which trends adjacent to the Keats Main vein and has been defined over a similar length. The intersection of veins with the two common orientations controls the southwest plunge of the high-grade lens. Cross-cutting the Keats Main zone and forming important constituents of the Keats-Baseline fault network are several conjugate brittle faults that are gold-rich and that create lenses of high- grade gold mineralization.
Drilling is ongoing at the Keats prospect, with the aim of expanding the Keats Main zone and, specifically, extending the high-grade dilational domain down-plunge to the south but also up-dip towards the ground surface. Additionally, exploration drilling will focus on step-out drilling on new veins and associated structures identified in both the hangingwall and footwall areas of the Keats-Baseline fault zone.
Lotto
The 2020 − 2022 New Found drilling has targeted veins intersected in historic drilling and trenching in the Lotto prospect area. The initial holes that intersected the “Lotto Main” vein targeted the intersection of two vein orientations observed in a historic trench. Since this discovery, a majority of the exploration drilling has been focused on testing the Lotto Main vein which strikes north, and dips steeply to the east. It ranges in true width from less than 1 m to approximately 3.5 m. This vein occurs approximately 200 m east of the AFZ and has been defined to a depth of 225 m, over a strike length of 200 m.
54
Figure 13. Plan view of Golden Joint - Lotto zones with assays above 0.5 ppm Au projected to surface (Source: New Found)
Of the 43 holes in the Lotto prospect with complete assays received as of February 18th, 2022, 21% contain no significant intervals and 79% contain well mineralized intervals of more than 1 ppm Au over at least 2 metres of down-hole length. In the holes with well mineralized intervals, these intervals range from 2 m to 11.75 m in length, with an average of 3.2 m; true widths are 70% to 90% of down-hole lengths and from 1 ppm to 143 ppm in gold grade, with an average of 30.10 ppm.
55
Significant intercepts for the Lotto prospect include the Lotto Main vein results of:
1Note that the host structures are interpreted to be steeply dipping and true widths are generally estimated to be 70% to 90% of reported intervals. Composite intervals reported carry a minimum weighted average of 1 g/t Au diluted over a minimum core length of 2m with a maximum of 2m consecutive dilution. Included high-grade intercepts are reported as any consecutive interval with grades greater than 10 g/t Au. Grades have not been capped in the averaging and intervals are reported as drill thickness.
Collar location information for the significant intercepts summarized:
Hole No. |
| Azimuth (°) |
| Dip (°) |
| Length (m) |
| UTM E |
| UTM N |
NFGC-21-100 |
| 299 |
| -45 |
| 258 |
| 658979 |
| 5428930 |
NFGC-21-201 |
| 300 |
| -45 |
| 241 |
| 659058 |
| 5428890 |
NFGC-21-311 |
| 298.5 |
| -45.5 |
| 321 |
| 659107 |
| 5428914 |
These demonstrate good continuity of a high-grade lens that is interpreted to plunge steeply to the northeast. It has been defined over a width of approximately 60 m, to a depth of 210 m. The vein at this location crosscuts a thin bed of greywacke; the presence of late brecciated vein phases suggests that there is a fault intersection at this location.
Golden Joint
In April 2021, New Found moved a drill into the region between Lotto and Keats along the AFZ to target a fault intersection and a vein array identified in historic trenching. The initial hole, NFGC-21-171, intersected several brittle fault zones, including the zones that have become known as “Golden Joint Hanging Wall (HW)” and “Golden Joint Main” which graded 10.63 ppm Au over 4.85 m, including 41.26 ppm Au over 1.00 m.
Subsequent drilling confirmed that mineralization at Golden Joint occurs in two structural settings: in the immediate footwall to the AFZ, and in a more distal setting that is spatially associated with a thick, greywacke unit that has a northeast strike. The first of these is Golden Joint, the second is Golden Joint HW. The Golden Joint Main vein is a massive quartz vein with stylolitic and brecciated textures that lies in the footwall shales adjacent to the AFZ. It strikes approximately north (N5 E) and dips steeply to the west at 82 (Figure 14).
56
Figure 14. Cross-section through Golden Joint and Golden Joint HW, looking northwest, +/- 10 m (Source: New Found)
This vein is associated with a brittle fault zone and other vein arrays whose orientations and geometries are currently being interpreted. Its true width typically ranges from less than 1 m to 5 m; however its character can change along strike to zones of brecciation and quartz veinlets. Drilling to date indicates that there is a steeply plunging high-grade domain; the current interpretation is that this zone of significant high-grade gold occurs at the intersection between the AFZ and the Golden Joint Main vein. 3D modelling also suggests that substantial gold enrichment also occurs where the Golden Joint Main vein intersects other veins.
The Golden Joint HW zone occurs within a massive bed of greywacke and along the margins of this bed. Mineralization tends to be characterized by stockwork veining that generally trends in an east-northeast orientation and dips moderately to the southeast. Additional modelling is required, however, because vein orientations in the Golden Joint HW zone are not well known, which creates uncertainties in true widths.
Of the 28 holes with complete assays received as of February 18th, 2022, in the Golden Joint prospect, 39% contain no significant intervals and 61% contain well mineralized intervals of more than 1 ppm Au over at least 2 metres of down-hole length. In the holes with well mineralized intervals, these intervals range from 2 m to 5.5 m in length, with an average of 2.7 m; true widths are 70% to 90% of down-hole lengths and from 1 ppm to 430 ppm in gold grade, with an average of 19 ppm.
Significant intercepts in Golden Joint include:
57
Including |
| 251.00 |
| 251.60 |
| 0.60 |
| 44.30 |
NFGC-21-213 |
| 303.00 |
| 308.50 |
| 5.50 |
| 5.44 |
Including |
| 303.00 |
| 303.65 |
| 0.65 |
| 30.65 |
NFGC-21-213 |
| 336.85 |
| 339.00 |
| 2.15 |
| 11.97 |
Including |
| 336.85 |
| 337.70 |
| 0.85 |
| 30.20 |
NFGC-21-241 |
| 207.85 |
| 213.10 |
| 5.25 |
| 430.17 |
Including |
| 207.85 |
| 211.35 |
| 3.50 |
| 643.66 |
1Note that the host structures are interpreted to be steeply dipping and true widths are generally estimated to be 70% to 90% of reported intervals. Composite intervals reported carry a minimum weighted average of 1 g/t Au diluted over a minimum core length of 2m with a maximum of 2m consecutive dilution. Included high-grade intercepts are reported as any consecutive interval with grades greater than 10 g/t Au. Grades have not been capped in the averaging and intervals are reported as drill thickness.
Collar location information for the significant intercepts summarized:
The Golden Joint Main vein is drill-defined over a strike length of 225 m and to a depth of at least 275 m. Of the 28 holes with complete assays received as of February 18th, 2022, in the Golden Joint HW prospect, 50% contain no significant intervals and 50% contain well mineralized intervals of more than 1 ppm Au over at least 2 metres of down-hole length. In the holes with well mineralized intervals, these intervals range from 2 m to 9.15 m in length, with an average of 3 m; true widths are unknown since vein orientations have not yet been established and from 1 ppm to 29.4 ppm in gold grade, with an average of 6.92 ppm.
Significant intercepts in Golden Joint HW include:
1Note that the host structures are interpreted to be steeply dipping and true widths are unknown at this time. Infill veining in secondary structures with multiple orientations crosscutting the primary host structures are commonly observed in drill core which could result in additional uncertainty in true width. Composite intervals reported carry a minimum weighted average of 1 g/t Au diluted over a minimum core length of 2m with a maximum of 2m consecutive dilution. Included high-grade intercepts are reported as any consecutive interval with grades greater than 10 g/t Au. Grades have not been capped in the averaging and intervals are reported as drill thickness.
58
Collar location information for the significant intercepts summarized:
Hole No. |
| Azimuth (°) |
| Dip (°) |
| Length (m) |
| UTM E |
| UTM N |
NFGC-21-187 |
| 300 |
| -50 |
| 431 |
| 658548 |
| 5428356 |
NFGC-21-225 |
| 298 |
| -45.5 |
| 321 |
| 658545 |
| 5428328 |
NFGC-21-274 |
| 294 |
| -49 |
| 552 |
| 658616 |
| 5428373 |
The Golden Joint HW zone is drill-defined over a strike length of 185 m and to a depth of at least 150 m. Drilling is ongoing at both the Golden Joint and Golden Joint HW prospects, with the goal of extending the Golden Joint Main vein to depth and along strike by following the high-grade domain down plunge along its intersection with the AFZ. Exploration drilling will also directly target Golden Joint HW as this domain is still sparsely tested and remains open in all directions.
Little – Powerline
In August 2020, New Found drilled six holes at the Little Zone target, west of the AFZ, 1 km northwest of Keats. Of the six holes in the Little − Powerline prospect, 67% contain no significant intervals and 33% contain well mineralized intervals of more than 1 ppm Au over at least 2 m of down-hole length. In the holes with well mineralized intervals, these intervals range from 2 m to 7.2 m in length, with an average of 3.92 m; true widths are not known since vein orientations have not yet been established and from 1 ppm to 4.04 ppm in gold grade, with an average of 2.14 ppm.
Significant intercepts include:
Hole No. |
| From (m) |
| To (m) |
| Interval (m)1 |
| Au (g/t) |
NFGC-20-11 |
| 22.3 |
| 29.50 |
| 7.20 |
| 1.26 |
NFGC-20-12 |
| 21.00 |
| 26.50 |
| 5.50 |
| 4.04 |
1Note that the host structures are interpreted to be steeply dipping and true widths are unknown at this time. Infill veining in secondary structures with multiple orientations crosscutting the primary host structures are commonly observed in drill core which could result in additional uncertainty in true width. Composite intervals reported carry a minimum weighted average of 1 g/t Au diluted over a minimum core length of 2m with a maximum of 2m consecutive dilution. Included high-grade intercepts are reported as any consecutive interval with grades greater than 10 g/t Au. Grades have not been capped in the averaging and intervals are reported as drill thickness.
Collar location information for the significant intercepts summarized:
Hole No. |
| Azimuth (°) |
| Dip (°) |
| Length (m) |
| UTM E |
| UTM N |
NFGC-20-11 |
| 300 |
| -45 |
| 73.2 |
| 657891 |
| 5428491 |
NFGC-20-12 |
| 300 |
| -45 |
| 150 |
| 657900 |
| 5428459 |
These results demonstrate significant near-surface mineralization. In addition, NFGC-20-14 returned two intercepts of high-grade silver mineralization of 253.8 ppm Ag over 2.0 m and 94.9 ppm Ag over 1.0 m. The true widths of these high-grade silver intervals have not yet been determined. This is the first instance of high-grade silver being identified on the Queensway Project. This high-grade silver mineralization lies adjacent to the gold-bearing faults and veins in the Little-Powerline zone. Further geological investigation is ongoing to determine the significance of these intervals and to develop a follow-up plan for additional drilling. Gold mineralization at the Little-Powerline Zone appears to be associated with a north-striking fault but the exact relationship remains poorly constrained at this stage and true widths could not be determined.
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Knob
In February–April 2021, New Found drilled 16 holes at the Knob target, along the AFZ. Of the 16 holes in the Knob prospect, 50% contain no significant intervals and 50% contain well mineralized intervals of more than 1 ppm Au over at least 2 metres of down-hole length. In the holes with well mineralized intervals, these intervals range from 2 m to 5 m in length, with an average of 3.92 m; vein orientations and true widths have not yet been determined and from 1 ppm to 6.42 ppm in gold grade, with an average of 2.32 ppm.
Significant intercepts include:
1Note that the host structures are interpreted to be steeply dipping and true widths are unknown at this time. Infill veining in secondary structures with multiple orientations crosscutting the primary host structures are commonly observed in drill core which could result in additional uncertainty in true width. Composite intervals reported carry a minimum weighted average of 1 g/t Au diluted over a minimum core length of 2m with a maximum of 2m consecutive dilution. Included high-grade intercepts are reported as any consecutive interval with grades greater than 10 g/t Au. Grades have not been capped in the averaging and intervals are reported as drill thickness.
Collar location information for the significant intercepts summarized:
Hole No. |
| Azimuth (°) |
| Dip (°) |
| Length (m) |
| UTM E |
| UTM N |
NFGC-21-142 |
| 0 |
| -45 |
| 218 |
| 657138 |
| 5425717 |
NFGC-21-159 |
| 300 |
| -45 |
| 188 |
| 657051 |
| 5425540 |
The orientation of mineralization at Knob is poorly constrained at this stage and true widths could not be determined. A network of veining is developed in and near a thick bed of greywacke, similar to the Golden Joint HW zone. Limited drilling has been completed due to access issues and other drill priorities. No immediate follow-up work is scheduled at this time; however, further evaluation and 3D modelling are planned to better understand the geometries and orientations of the Knob veins for future exploration targeting.
Dome
Between November 2019 and June 2021, New Found drilled 12 holes at the Dome target, located on the east side of the AFZ between the Golden Joint and Lotto prospects. Of the 12 holes in the Dome prospect, 33% contain no significant intervals and 67% contain well mineralized intervals of more than 1 ppm Au over at least 2 metres of down-hole length. In the holes with well mineralized intervals, these intervals range from 2 m to 8.95 m in length, with an average of 3.03 m; true widths are 70% to 90% of down-hole lengths and from 1.22 ppm to 38 ppm Au in grade, with an average of 6.03 ppm Au.
60
Significant intercepts include:
Hole No. |
| From (m) |
| To (m) |
| Interval (m)1 |
| Au (g/t) |
NFGC-19-03 |
| 20.40 |
| 23.00 |
| 2.60 |
| 38.04 |
Including |
| 20.90 |
| 21.50 |
| 0.60 |
| 162.50 |
NFGC-20-66 |
| 113.60 |
| 122.55 |
| 8.95 |
| 1.76 |
1Note that the host structures are interpreted to be steeply dipping and true widths are generally estimated to be 70% to 90% of reported intervals. Composite intervals reported carry a minimum weighted average of 1 g/t Au diluted over a minimum core length of 2m with a maximum of 2m consecutive dilution. Included high-grade intercepts are reported as any consecutive interval with grades greater than 10 g/t Au. Grades have not been capped in the averaging and intervals are reported as drill thickness.
Collar location information for the significant intercepts summarized:
Hole No. |
| Azimuth (°) |
| Dip (°) |
| Length (m) |
| UTM E |
| UTM N |
NFGC-19-03 |
| 0 |
| -45 |
| 64 |
| 658705 |
| 5428709 |
NFGC-20-66 |
| 300 |
| -45 |
| 171 |
| 658739 |
| 5428665 |
The drill results suggest that the mineralized trend dips at 70 in the 160 direction and is associated with brittle faulting and massive to stylolitic vuggy quartz-carbonate veining similar to the other AFZ prospects, Dome mineralization has been drill tested over a strike length of 100 m and to a depth of 105 m.
Additional interpretation and 3D modelling work of the Dome prospect is planned for use in future exploration targeting as this target remains under-explored and open along strike and down dip.
Cokes
From March to July 2021, New Found drilled six holes at the Cokes target, along the west side of the AFZ and adjacent to the Keats zone. Of the six holes in the Cokes prospect, all of them contain well mineralized intervals of more than 1 ppm Au over at least 2 metres of down-hole length. In the holes with well mineralized intervals, these intervals range from 2 m to 14.85 m in length, with an average of 6.29 m (true widths have not yet been determined) and from 1.01 ppm to 3.61 ppm Au in grade, with an average of 1.71 ppm Au.
Significant intercepts include:
1Note that the host structures are interpreted to be steeply dipping and true widths are unknown at this time. Infill veining in secondary structures with multiple orientations crosscutting the primary host structures are commonly observed in drill core which could result in additional uncertainty in true width. Composite intervals reported carry a minimum weighted average of 1 g/t Au diluted over a minimum core length of 2m with a maximum of 2m consecutive dilution. Included high-grade intercepts are reported as any consecutive interval with grades greater than 10 g/t Au. Grades have not been capped in the averaging and intervals are reported as drill thickness.
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Collar location information for the significant intercepts summarized:
Hole No. |
| Azimuth (°) |
| Dip (°) |
| Length (m) |
| UTM E |
| UTM N |
NFGC-21-154 |
| 50 |
| -60 |
| 95 |
| 657652 |
| 5427514 |
NFGC-21-157 |
| 120 |
| -45 |
| 165 |
| 657642 |
| 5427535 |
The orientation of the mineralization at Cokes is poorly constrained at this stage and true widths could not be determined. Additional interpretation and 3D modelling work of the Cokes prospect is planned for use in future exploration targeting as this target remains under-explored and open along strike and down dip.
Road
In December 2020, New Found drilled two holes at the Road target, located east of Golden Joint and 450 m east of the AFZ (Figure 27). In November 2022, New Found returned to follow-up on previous drill results, completing an additional 4 holes. As of February 18th, 2022, complete results from two holes as part of the first phase of drilling had been received.
Of the two holes in the Road prospect with complete assay results, one contained no significant intervals and the other contained well mineralized intervals of more than 1 ppm Au over at least 2 metres of down-hole length. In the hole with well mineralized intervals, these intervals range from 2 m to 2.95 m in length, with an average of 2.55 m (the true width is 95% of down-hole length) and from 1.03 ppm to 35.36 ppm in gold grade, with an average of 15.15 ppm.
Significant intercepts include35.36 ppm Au over 2.7 m and 9.06 ppm Au over 2.95 m in NFGC-20-71. The drill results suggest that gold is associated with a brittle fault that dips at 40 in the 255 direction; the quartz-carbonate veins associated with this fault have massive vuggy, stylolitic and brecciated textures, similar to other AFZ prospects. Once the outstanding assay results are received, this prospect will be assessed and the decision on whether to continue drilling the Road prospect will be made.
1744
Following the two-hole program in 2019, New Found drilled an additional 28 holes in the 1744 area in April 2021 to follow-up on the gold-in-till anomaly where one till sample contained 1,744 gold grains and several quartz float boulders had high gold grades. The 1744 zone is located at the north end of the JBPFZ, 10 km northeast of the Keats zone.
Drilling identified two subparallel trending zones of gold mineralization that dip steeply at 70 in the 300 direction; these zones are discrete zones of brittle deformation associated with folding within a green siltstone unit. Gold is hosted in irregular massive to vuggy stylolitic veins with trace pyrite, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite and boulangerite and has the same NH4 muscovite alteration signature seen elsewhere along the AFZ.
Of the 20 holes with complete assays received by February 18th, 2022, in the 1744 prospect, 25% contain no significant intervals and 75% contain well mineralized intervals with grades greater than 1 ppm Au over at least 2 metres of down-hole length. In the holes with well mineralized intervals, these intervals range from 2 m to 5 m in length, with an average of 2.4 m ( true widths are 55% to 65% of down-hole lengths) and from 1 ppm to 32 ppm in gold grade, with an average of 5.13 ppm.
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Figure 15. Plan view of 1744 zone with assays above 0.5 ppm Au projected to surface (Source: New Found)
Significant intercepts include:
1Note that the host structures are interpreted to be steeply dipping and true widths are generally estimated to be 55% to 65% of reported intervals. Composite intervals reported carry a minimum weighted average of 1 g/t Au diluted over a minimum core length of 2m with a maximum of 2m consecutive dilution. Included high-grade intercepts are reported as any consecutive interval with grades greater than 10 g/t Au. Grades have not been capped in the averaging and intervals are reported as drill thickness.
63
Collar location information for the significant intercepts summarized:
The drilling has a defined zone of gold mineralization with a strike length of 255 m and a depth of at least 210 m. Once the outstanding assays are received and a detailed model update is completed, the prospect can be evaluated and follow-up exploration work determined as the mineralized trend remains open and adjacent structures remain untested.
Pocket Pond
In May 2021, New Found initiated a drill program following up on historic drilling and anomalous grab samples at the Pocket Pond prospect located 5.5 km east-northeast of the Keats zone on the JBPFZ. Drilling has identified mineralization similar to that seen in the 1744 area, characteristic of the JBP structural trend of epizonal-style, with irregular stylolitic massive to vuggy veins that are spatially associated with brittle faulting and folding in a green siltstone unit. Generally, the Pocket Pond veins have a dip of approximately 60 in the 290 direction.
Of the 32 holes with complete assay results received as of February 18th, 2022, in the Pocket Pond prospect, 56% contain no significant intervals and 44% contain well mineralized intervals of more than 1 ppm Au over at least 2 metres of down-hole length. In the holes with well mineralized intervals, these intervals range from 2 m to 3.8 m in length, with an average of 2.3 m (true widths are 75% to 90% of down-hole lengths) and from 1 ppm to 21.7 ppm in gold grade, with an average of 4.06 ppm.
Significant intercepts include:
1Note that the host structures are interpreted to be steeply dipping and true widths are generally estimated to be 75% to 90% of reported intervals. Composite intervals reported carry a minimum weighted average of 1 g/t Au diluted over a minimum core length of 2m with a maximum of 2m consecutive dilution. Included high-grade intercepts are reported as any consecutive interval with grades greater than 10 g/t Au. Grades have not been capped in the averaging and intervals are reported as drill thickness.
64
Collar location information for the significant intercepts summarized:
Hole No. |
| Azimuth (°) |
| Dip (°) |
| Length (m) |
| UTM E |
| UTM N |
NFGC-21-230 |
| 119 |
| -45.5 |
| 182 |
| 663403 |
| 5428873 |
NFGC-21-304 |
| 121 |
| -45.5 |
| 182 |
| 663432 |
| 5428898 |
The drilling at Pocket Pond has defined a mineralized trend with a strike length of 160 m and a depth of at least 145 m (Figure 16).
Figure 16. Plan view of Pocket Pond zone with assays above 0.5 ppm Au projected to surface (Source: New Found)
Once the outstanding assays are received and a detailed model update is completed, the prospect can be evaluated, and follow-up exploration work determined as the mineralized trend in the Pocket Pond area remains open and adjacent structures remain untested.
65
5.8 |
New Found has collected and assayed various sample types including till, soils and surface rocks on its Queensway Project since 2017 and drill core samples since 2019. Section 11 of New Found’s previous NI 43-101 compliant technical report with an effective date of May 27, 2021 titled “NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Queensway Project, Newfoundland, Canada” (the “2021 Technical Report”), as filed under the Company’s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com on July 21, 2021, presented the independent assessment done by René Sterk (R.P.Geo.) of RSC Mining and Mineral Exploration, who reviewed the project’s sample preparation, analysis, quality control and security for the period up to May 27, 2021.
The Technical Report presents an independent assessment of the Queensway Project sample preparation, analysis, quality control and security procedures for the period from the end of May 2021 to the effective date of the Technical Report, February 18, 2022. As a QP for the Technical Report, Mr. Srivastava is of the opinion that the sample preparation, security and analytical procedures are well conceived and well implemented and that the drill hole assay data base being compiled by New Found forms a sound basis for ongoing exploration activities, including refining models of the 3D geometry of mineralized zones and planning new drill hole locations.
Summary of Previous Report
Sample Preparation
Till samples were collected and prepared with the goal of analyzing the number and size of gold grains. In the field, samples were screened using an 8 mm sieve to remove pebbles. Approximately 13 kg of the fine material, less than 8 mm, along with 1 kg of the coarse material, the pebbles greater than 8 mm, was packed in a heavy-duty plastic bag and sealed with a cable tie. The −8 mm fraction was used for analysis of gold content, while the +8 mm pebbles were used to log lithology. Till samples were shipped to Overburden Drilling Management (“ODM”) who created a concentrate. Prior to 2019, the concentrates were created using a screening and tabling procedure. After 2019, they were created using ODM’s Heavy Mineral Concentrate (HMC) preparation procedure. The gold content of each sample was estimated from the number of gold grains found in the concentrate and their size. The shape and texture of the grains were also recorded, and the mineralogy of the associated heavy minerals was described.
Rock samples were placed in a plastic bag, sealed and shipped to one of two destinations: (1) Eastern Analytical Ltd (“EA”), a mineral testing laboratory that does both sample preparation and analysis at its facility in Springdale, NL; and (2) one of the geochemistry laboratories of the ALS Global group (“ALS”): the preparation labs of ALS Canada Ltd in Thunder Bay, Timmins, Sudbury and Moncton, which send prepared sample material to their analytical lab in Vancouver. For grab samples from the surface or from trenches, the entire sample was sent to the laboratory; for drill core, half of the core was sent to the lab and the other half kept in the project’s core storage archive.
The sample preparation procedures used by ALS and EA are broadly similar: crushing, followed by pulverizing, followed by collection of a small amount of pulp for analysis by fire assay. The exact specifications for sample preparation were slightly different for each lab. EA crushed to 80% less than 2 mm, pulverized to 95% less than 106 μm, and selected a 30 g aliquot for analysis by fire assay. ALS crushed to 85% less than 2 mm, pulverized to 85% less than 75 μm, and selected a 30 g aliquot for analysis by fire assay.
Since 2019, samples with fire assay results expected to be high were analyzed by a screen fire assay (“SFA”) method. The reasons for doing an SFA included: the original fire assay being above 1 ppm Au, the sample being in an interval with many other high-grade assays, observation of visible gold or other geologic characteristics associated with strong gold mineralization. The exact specifications for the SFA method were different at the two labs. EA’s SFA method began with the same crushing and pulverizing steps as they used for their conventional fire assays; all of the pulp was sieved using the #150 screen to create a fine fraction (−106 μm) and a coarse fraction (+106 μm). Two fire assays of 40 g aliquots were done on the fine fraction, while the coarse fraction was fire assayed in its entirety. The grade of the original sample was then calculated by weighting the three fire assays by the mass of material each one represented. ALS followed a similar procedure, beginning with the crushing to 70% less than 2 mm, followed by pulverizing to
66
85% less than 75 μm. All of the pulp was screened at 106 μm to create coarse and fine fractions. The coarse material was fire assayed in its entirety; from the fine material, ALS selected two 50 g aliquots for fire assay.
Sample Analysis
Analysis for gold was done by fire assay, with 30 g aliquots, or by screen fire assay. ICP analyses were done to establish the multi-element chemistry of samples; these were either done using a 4-acid digestion, or a 2-acid (aqua regia) digestion. For some of the till samples, Activation Laboratories Ltd (ActLabs) used instrumental neutron activation to measure multi-element chemistry. For the till samples that were concentrated and analyzed by ODM, the gold grade was established by calculating the size of each grain and summing the gold content of all of the grains to get an estimate of the total gold content of the sample, which could be converted to a calculated grade for the mass of the original sample. Although these grain-based estimates of gold grade are not precise, they still provide useful information for drill targeting because they serve as reliable indications of which till samples contained a lot of gold and which ones contained very little.
Laboratory Accreditation
EA, ActLabs, ALS and ODM are all independent of New Found. The labs that performed fire assays (EA and ALS) are accredited by the International Accreditation Service, which conforms to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025:2005. The labs that performed multi-element ICP analyses (EA, ALS and ActLabs) are all ISO-accredited for multi-element analytical methods.
Sample Security
The collection, packaging, transport and receipt of samples were conducted using traceable chain of custody procedures. The sample storage area was under constant surveillance during the day; at night, it was secured by lock and key and monitored by video camera. Chain of custody forms accompanied sample shipments to the preparation laboratories, where samples were logged in and checked against New Found’s documentation for any discrepancies before seals on the sample bags were broken.
Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC)
In addition to the internal QA/QC programs used by the commercial laboratories to monitor the quality of their own work, New Found also has its own external QA/QC program that uses certified reference materials (CRMs), duplicates and blanks to monitor the accuracy and precision of analytical data reported by the laboratories. Shewhart control plots were used to assess the accuracy of gold assays. Scatterplots were used to assess the precision from duplicates. Time series plots of assays reported for blank samples were used to monitor cross contamination.
An additional piece of QA/QC information was available for many of the screen fire assays done at ALS, where samples selected for SFA were first separated into an A split and a B split, with the complete SFA method being run on both splits. This produced data that was used to check the variability of each component of the SFA method: the fire assays of the fine and coarse fractions, the mass percentages of each fraction, and the combined total grade that was calculated for each split. A small set of 30 half-core duplicates was collected during the site visit by RSC, as a further check on the reliability of gold assays.
Conclusions from Previous Report
The assessment of the reliability of data done by RSC in 2021 used a Data Quality Objectives (DQO) approach in which one begins by establishing the purpose(s) for which the data are being used, and judges the quality of the data in the context of its intended use.
During the exploration drilling phase of the Queensway Project, New Found’s primary objective is to identify and delineate strong gold mineralization. The QP for the 2021 Technical Report expressed the opinion that the analytical data were broadly acceptable with respect to the primary data quality objective, but also provided several recommendations for improvements that would improve accuracy and precision and that would help to ensure that the
67
project’s assay data base was suitable for mineral resource estimation, if and when the project eventually reaches that stage.
All of the biases identified in the 2021 Technical Report of assay data quality were small, and on the low side, meaning that reported assay grades may, at times be slightly low. These small low biases were regarded as having a low risk for compromising the identification and delineation of strong gold mineralization.
The QP for the Technical Report has had access to all relevant QA/QC data, has been able to repeat the analysis done for the 2021 Technical Report and has done several other checks not described in the 2021 Technical Report. With his own review and analysis of historical QA/QC data, the QP for the Technical Report concurs with the conclusions expressed a year ago. Specifically, for the exploration drilling program, whose primary purpose is to identify and delineate gold prospects on the Queensway Project property, the procedures used for sample collection, preparation and analysis are well conceived and well implemented. The assay data base being compiled by New Found is reliable for exploration purposes.
Sample Preparation, Analysis, Quality Control and Security Since June 2021
Sample preparation, analytical methods, and assay quality control for the period from May 28, 2021, to February 18, 2022, are generally consistent with practices reported in the 2021 Technical Report.
Sample Preparation
Exploration drill core continues to be HQ core that is sawn in half using a diamond saw. Sample lengths are 0.3 to 1 metre. Where necessary due to poor core competency, a hydraulic splitter may be used. One of the recommendations from the previous report has been implemented, and the project now has a written procedure, well documented and easy to follow, that standardizes how core is sawn (or split) and how one half of the core is selected for shipment to the laboratory.
In February 2022, New Found changed the preparation procedure for the first analysis of samples to crushing to 70% less than 2 mm; this was done to align the procedures used to prepare sample material for a conventional fire assay with the procedures used to prepare sample material for a screen fire assay.
Sample Analysis
Table 7 shows the analytical methods used by ALS, which performed almost 27,000 assays between May 28, 2021 and February 18, 2022.
Table 7. Analytical methods used by ALS
Analyte | Method Code | Detection Limit | Type of Method | Finish |
Au | ICP-21 | 0.001 ppm | 30 g fire assay | ICP |
Au | AA-26 | 0.01 ppm | 50 g fire assay | AAS |
Au | Au-SCR24C | 0.05 ppm | Screen fire assay | Gravimetric and AAS |
Multi-element | ME-ICP61 | Variable for 33 elements | 4-acid digestion | ICP |
Table 8 shows the analytical methods used by EA, which performed slightly more than 15,000 assays between May 28, 2021, and February 18, 2022.
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Table 8. Analytical methods used by Eastern Analytical.
Analyte | Method Code | Detection Limit | Type of Method | Finish |
Au | AA30 | 0.005 ppm | 30 g fire assay | AAS |
Au | AA40 | 0.005 ppm | 40 g fire assay | AAS |
Au | Au Met | 0.010 ppm | Screen fire assay | AAS / Gravimetric / Hybrid |
Although the multi-element analyses are done by ALS, the sample preparation for these multi-element analyses is done by EA, which prepares a 150 g split of the pulp for all samples and delivers it to ALS for their ME-ICP61 method, multi-element determination by ICP.
EA and ALS are both independent of New Found and are both accredited by the International Accreditation Service, which conforms to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025:2005.
Sample Security
The procedures for establishing an auditable chain of custody for every sample, and for ensuring the integrity of samples between the project site and the laboratory are the same as in previous years.
The collection, packaging, transport, and receipt of samples were conducted under a strict and traceable chain of custody (CoC). The collection and packaging of samples for shipping was undertaken by contractors of New Found under the supervision of New Found’s Chief Operating Officer, Greg Matheson, P.Geo. Samples were collected and stored in a dedicated area in the core shack under constant surveillance during the day, which is secured by lock and key at night and under video surveillance. A CoC document was created by the geologist/geo-technician that includes a list of sample numbers and signature lines for the courier and New Found representative confirming the state of the shipment. For shipment, samples were inventoried before being placed in rice bags which were secured with a cable tie. The samples were then placed in shipping bins that were labelled with the shipping information and numbered security seals.
Prior to May 2018, all of New Found’s samples were transported directly to the Eastern Analytical laboratory in Springdale, NL. All 2018 sampling was directly supervised by Michael Regular, and all samples were handled and shipped by Michael Regular. Since May 2018, samples were analyzed at ALS Minerals, in Vancouver B.C. Sample preparation occurred at ALS Minerals laboratories in Thunder Bay, ON, Timmins, ON, Sudbury, ON and Moncton, NB. Samples were shipped to ALS by commercial courier on a regular basis. New Found contractors delivered the sample bins to the shipping courier along with the CoC form. The CoC was signed and returned to New Found for scanning and cataloguing. The sample shipment was virtually dispatched in the MX Database by New Found sample shipment manager for tracking and the laboratory was notified of the incoming shipment. Upon receipt by the laboratory, New Found’s Chief Operating Officer and database geologist were informed, and the samples were logged in and checked against New Found’s submittal form and chain of custody document for any discrepancies.
Between February 2021 and October 2021, a portion of samples was analyzed at EA and sample shipments were transported directly by New Found contractors.
Quality Assurance and Quality Control
The external quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) programs use blanks and CRMs that are inserted into the sample stream at the rate of approximately one blank and one CRM for every 20 drill core samples. The half-core
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duplicate program has been expanded to provide more insight into assay variability over very short distances, the “nugget effect” common to orogenic gold deposits.
Of the 2,900 CRMs analyzed by ALS, 36 triggered requests for re-assay, a failure rate of approximately 1%, which is acceptably low. Two of the CRM failures were suspected to be sample switches. Whenever reassays are requested due to quality control failures, the first assay is replaced by the requested second assay.
Of the 114 CRMs analyzed by EA, 8 triggered requests for re-assay, a failure rate below 1%. Even though the failure rate is acceptably low, the CRMs analyzed by EA show a slight bias, with EA’s reported values being about 1−2% low, on average. The same slight low bias was noted last year with the EA results. Although the reason for this small systematic bias has not yet been identified, its impact on exploration is not significant; even with a small bias, exploration drilling can still identify strong mineralization, delineate it and target new drill holes.
The internal QA/QC programs of the laboratories include internal checks of duplicates taken from the same prepared pulp. These pulp duplicates provide an estimate of the reproducibility related to the uncertainties inherent in the analytical method and the homogeneity of the pulps. The precision or relative percent difference calculated for the pulp duplicates indicates whether pulverizing specifications should be changed and/or whether alternative methods, such as screen metallics for gold, should be considered.
A total of 1127 pulp duplicates were analyzed by ALS by fire assay with an ICP finish (ICP21). Samples are selected for routine fire assay by method ICP21 when there is no visible gold recognized and the sample interval is not in a mineralized zone. Of the 1084 cases that assayed less than 100 ppb (0.1 ppm Au) for the “original” assay, the pulp duplicates reported greater than 0.1 ppm Au for only 4 cases to a maximum of 0.117 ppm Au. This confirms that the pulp duplicates with less than 0.1 ppm Au perform within expectations of the method.
The internal QA/QC programs of the laboratories also include checks of duplicates taken from a sample’s coarse reject material, which were deemed to be acceptable.
In the Fall of 2021, it became apparent that half-core duplicates taken from the other half of the core from the same interval often do not compare well with each other. This was revealed by a set of 30 half-core duplicates that produced a set of second screen fire assays that were, by some measures, noticeably different from the original screen fire assays for the same 30 intervals. In November 2021, New Found announced that it was suspending further announcements of drilling results until it had a confident understanding of that initial set of 30 half-core duplicates. The work program included completion of a substantial number of additional half-core screen fire assays and the detailed statistical assessment of these results. It also included detailed review of sample selection, preparation, and lab analysis procedures for the screen fire assays at ALS and EA. The conclusion of such review was that there was no systemic bias in the Queensway Project assays, and that the large differences sometimes seen between half-core duplicates was due to a combination of three factors:
· | the inherent short-scale variability common in orogenic gold deposits like Queensway; |
· | the tendency of half-core duplicate studies to select high-grade samples for checking, which creates a selection bias that leads to second assays tending to come back lower than the first high-grade result; and |
· | the linkage between variability and grade; with high-grade samples being more erratic than low-grade ones, fluctuations in the results from high-grade intervals will dominate conventional statistical comparisons like differences between the averages, or correlation coefficients. |
In November 2021, New Found announced that it was initiating a trial of the Chrysos PhotonAssay method for analyzing gold grades, a non-destructive method that uses high-energy X-rays to excite atomic nuclei. The sample preparation for this method involves crushing the drill core and weighing it into jars that hold approximately 400 g.
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The gold content of each jar is determined by the gamma activation method developed at CSIRO in Australia. The gold grade of the entire sample is then calculated as a weighted average of the grades for the individual jars.
The first PhotonAssay results for the Queensway Project were released in January 2022, a small set of 69 samples from two drill holes. These were done by the Intertek/Genalysis laboratory in Perth Australia, which is certified to ISO/IEC 17025 (2017) by the National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia.
Studies are underway to establish the correlation between PhotonAssay results, fire assays and screen fire assays for Queensway Project samples. If the PhotonAssay method proves to produce reliable large-sample assays for Queensway Project drill core samples, and if its precision and accuracy can be quantified through comparisons with screen fire assays, New Found will explore options for using PhotonAssays on a routine for the Queensway Project. This will require assessments of the capacity of Canadian labs that will soon offer PhotonAssays and addressing the issue of how to get this innovative method properly certified.
5.9 |
The Queensway Project was visited by the QP, Alan Lambden, P.Geo. of RD3D, for two days to become familiar with the geology of the Queensway Project, the standard operating procedures and database management. While there, under supervision of Mr. Greg Matheson and Ms. Candice Ooi of New Found, drill rigs, hole collars and an outcrop were visited and discussions about core handling, logging, assaying protocols and database management were held. Local geology and details of landmark discovery were discussed.
The visit included a tour of Pocket Pond and H-Pond, and the Glass, Keats, Golden Joint, Dome, Lotto zones, and a visit to several ongoing drill rigs with time spent at the core logging, sample preparation and sample storage facilities. Only one outcrop was visited due to all previously exposed trenches recently being back-filled as required by exploration permit regulations, and due to heavy snow hindering exposure in the area at the time of the visit. Due to several previous QP’s selection of verification samples, it was decided no samples were to be collected during the visit. The previous verification samples have shown the reproducibility expected for an orogenic gold deposit like Queensway.
Data Verification
The QP was provided with a “reviewer’s licence” for the MX Deposit system that NFG uses to manage its drill hole data base. MX Deposit allows the user to fully customize the entire data management in real-time, electronically from core logging in the core shed and sampling directly to the online server, minimizing the opportunities for human input error. It also records information on which assays have been used to create the “Au_final” reporting field for public disclosure purposes, following the hierarchy set by NFG staff. The QP checked several sample intervals with multiple assays and could find no in-stance where the documented hierarchy for the use of multiple assays had been mis-applied. Any errors found are logged and an audit trail is recorded by NFG staff. When an assay certificate fails due to QA/QC issues, the original assays are overwritten by the re-assays. Discussions with NFG staff assured the QP that every certificate prior to the introduction of MX Deposit in 2020 was imported electronically and checked. Input of assays was built from electronic certificates except where historical holes denote an “unknown” source. The logging system has evolved as the deposit’s mineralization becomes better understood. Minor adjustments are constantly being made to the logging template, adding more detail as drilling continues to reveal more of the Queensway Project’s geological complexities. Holes logged before the introduction of MX Deposit have been relogged using the latest templates.
Adequacy of Data
The QP for the site visit, Alan Lambden, P. Geo., is of the opinion that the data compiled by New Found provide a reasonable and accurate representation of the Queensway Project and are of sufficient quality to support the conclusions and recommendations reached in the Technical Report and to serve as the basis for future exploration activities.
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5.10 |
New Found has no knowledge of any historical mineral processing/metallurgical testing of the Au mineralization on the Queensway Project, nor has it completed any mineral processing/metallurgical testing of its own.
5.11 |
There are no current mineral resource or mineral reserve estimates on the Queensway Project.
5.12 |
On August 17, 2020, the Company announced it had initiated a 100,000m HQ size diamond drilling program at the Queensway Project. The Company announced on January 6, 2021, that it has now increased the drilling program started in 2020 to a total of 200,000m; this program was further expanded on October 15, 2021 to 400,000m and is expected to reach 14 drill rigs in 2022. In 2020 the Company completed 66 drill holes targeting the Little-Powerline, Lotto, Dome and Keats zones for a total of 13,400m. In 2021 the Company has completed an additional 391 drill holes totalling 117,043m. The drilling program is ongoing with eleven rigs active and approximately 43% complete as of May 5, 2022, and is expected to continue into Q2 2023.
The drilling program is designed to test multiple exploration targets and zones along the 9.45km of the Appleton Fault Zone and 12km of the JBP Fault Zone at Queensway North. The primary focus is on the expansion of known zones of mineralization and testing targets to generate new mineralized zones.
In 2022 the Company also expects to complete an inaugural drilling program at the Queensway South part of the project testing early-stage exploration targets as part of the 400,000m program.
The majority of drilling to date has occurred along the Appleton Fault with twelve drill rigs active. To date 343 drill holes have been completed at the Keats Zone totalling 94, 226m, 81 drill holes at the Lotto Zone totalling 22,127m, 73 drill holes at the Golden Joint zone totalling 24,797m with the balance of 81 drill holes totalling 18,969m completed at other zones/targets along the Appleton Fault including the Little-Powerline, Cokes, Road, Zone 36, Knob, TCH, Dome and Big Dave.
The Company is also actively exploring along the JBP Fault zone with 88 holes totalling 23,605m completed to date at the 798, 1744 and Pocket Pond prospects.
6 |
The Company owns a 100% interest in the Lucky Strike Project in Kirkland Lake, Ontario, comprising 11,684 hectares, as well as a portfolio of mining and royalty interests throughout northeastern Ontario. The Company acquired the rights to the Lucky Strike Project by map staking mineral licenses and making staged payments in cash and Common Shares from 2016 through 2019 under two fully-executed option agreements.
On May 27, 2016, the Company optioned the primary Lucky Strike Project property from Ashley Gold Mines Ltd. (“Ashley Gold”) under a property option agreement, which was ultimately amended in May 2019, and fully exercised in November 2019. Under the terms of this agreement, the Company paid $115,000 and issued Common Shares equivalent to $80,000 to Ashley Gold. The option agreement included an underlying 1% NSR payable to Wallbridge Mining Company, which covers a small portion of the applicable claims, with most of the claims carrying no NSR.
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On July 26, 2017, the Company optioned the Vallillee extension claims west of the primary Lucky Strike Project and this option agreement was fully executed July 2018. Under the terms of the agreement the Company paid $40,000 and issued a 2% NSR in favour of the optionors.
In April 2020, the Company staked an additional 70 unpatented mining cells on the west side of the Lucky Strike Project. These lands carry no NSR.
On May 7, 2020, the Company completed a claim purchase agreement with Eric Marion to purchase 21 unpatented mining claim cells adjacent to the east of the Lucky Strike Project. Under the terms of the agreement the Company paid $25,000. The claims carry no NSR.
For the purpose of NI 43-101, the Lucky Strike Project is not a material property of the Company.
7 |
7.1 |
The Company has not, since the date of its incorporation, declared or paid any dividends or other distributions on its Common Shares, and does not currently have a policy with respect to the payment of dividends or other distributions. The Company does not currently pay dividends and does not intend to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. The declaration and payment of any dividends in the future is at the discretion of the Board and will depend on numerous factors, including compliance with applicable laws, financial performance, working capital requirements of the Company and its subsidiaries and such other factors as its directors consider appropriate. There can be no assurance that the Company will pay dividends under any circumstances. See “Risk Factors – Risks Related to the Company – Dividends”.
8 |
8.1 |
The Company’s authorized share capital consists of an unlimited number of common shares without par value (the “Common Shares”). As at December 31, 2021, there were 164,205,700 Common Shares issued and outstanding. As of the date of this AIF, there are 165,219,256 Common Shares issued and outstanding, 13,641,125 Common Shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options (“Options”) and 11,555 Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of common share purchase warrants (“Warrants”).
All of the Common Shares rank equally as to voting rights, participation in a distribution of the assets of the Company on a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company and entitlement to any dividends declared by the Company. The holders of the Common Shares are entitled to receive notice of, and to attend and vote at, all meetings of shareholders (other than meetings at which only holders of another class or series of shares are entitled to vote). Each Common Share carries the right to one vote. In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, or any other distribution of the assets of the Company among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, the holders of the Common Shares will be entitled to receive, on a pro rata basis, all of the assets remaining after the payment by the Company of all of its liabilities. The holders of Common Shares are entitled to receive dividends as and when declared by the Board in respect of the Common Shares on a pro rata basis. The Common Shares do not have pre-emptive rights, conversion rights or exchange rights and are not subject to redemption, retraction purchase for cancellation or surrender provisions. There are no sinking or purchase fund provisions, no provisions permitting or restricting the issuance of additional securities or any other material restrictions, and there are no provisions which are capable of requiring a security holder to contribute additional capital.
Any alteration of the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the Common Shares under the Company’s Articles must be approved by at least two-thirds of the Common Shares voted at a meeting of the Company’s shareholders.
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9 |
9.1 |
New Found’s Common Shares are currently listed for trading through the facilities of the TSXV under the symbol “NFG” and on the NYSE American under the symbol “NFGC”. No other securities of New Found are traded or quoted on any marketplace.
During the most recently completed financial year, the Common Shares traded on the TSXV as follows, based on information available from Bloomberg:
TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE
Month |
| Volume |
| High (Cnd$) |
| Low (Cnd$) |
January 2021 |
| 4,453,432 |
| 4.40 |
| 3.16 |
February 2021 |
| 4,284,132 |
| 3.84 |
| 3.15 |
March 2021 |
| 6,789,083 |
| 5.25 |
| 3.53 |
April 2021 |
| 6,675,715 |
| 7.00 |
| 4.21 |
May 2021 |
| 8,281,966 |
| 12.48 |
| 6.80 |
June 2021 |
| 6,582,626 |
| 13.50 |
| 9.40 |
July 2021 |
| 3,858,067 |
| 12.47 |
| 8.51 |
August 2021 |
| 5,493,519 |
| 10.85 |
| 8.13 |
September 2021 |
| 5,390,397 |
| 9.28 |
| 6.61 |
October 2021 |
| 3,211,823 |
| 10.86 |
| 7.70 |
November 2021 |
| 7,076,962 |
| 9.89 |
| 6.88 |
December 2021 |
| 3,676,121 |
| 9.07 |
| 6.69 |
New Found’s Common Shares began trading on the NYSE American on September 29, 2021. During the period from September 29, 2021 until December 31, 2021, the Common Shares traded on the NYSE American as follows, based on information available from Bloomberg:
NYSE AMERICAN
Month |
| Volume |
| High (US$) |
| Low (US$) |
September 2021 |
| 21,056 |
| 7.02 |
| 6.00 |
October 2021 |
| 286,719 |
| 8.80 |
| 6.13 |
November 2021 |
| 377,572 |
| 8.05 |
| 5.56 |
December 2021 |
| 250,205 |
| 7.19 |
| 5.20 |
9.2 |
The following table summarizes the issuances of securities of the Company that were issued during the most recently completed financial year and that are not listed on the TSXV or NYSE American:
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10 |
10.1 |
In connection with the initial public offering of the Company’s Common Shares, Palisades Goldcorp Ltd., Novo Resources Corp., 2176423 Ontario Inc. (a corporation controlled by Eric Sprott), Collin Kettell, Denis Laviolette and Craig Roberts (collectively, the “Principals”), entered into an escrow agreement (the “Escrow Agreement”) with Computershare Trust Company of Canada, as escrow agent (the “Escrow Agent”), pursuant to which the Principals deposited 90,199,500 Common Shares into escrow (the “Escrowed Securities”) with the Escrow Agent.
The following table sets forth, as of as at December 31, 2021, the number of securities of each class of securities of the Company held, to the knowledge of the Company, in escrow or that are subject to a contractual restriction on transfer and the percentage that number represents of the outstanding securities of that class.
In accordance with NP 46-201, the Escrowed Securities are subject to a three-year escrow and subject to the following release scheduled:
Additionally, securities of New Found may be subject to additional escrow restrictions and restrictions on transfer pursuant to NP 46-201, or if required by the TSXV (in accordance with TSXV Policy 5.4) or other applicable regulations of any other stock exchange on which the securities of New Found may be listed for trading in the future.
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11 |
11.1 |
The name, municipality of residence, positions held with the Company, and principal occupation within the five preceding years as at the date of this AIF of each director and executive officer of New Found are as follows:
Name and Residence |
| Position(s) and |
| Principal Occupation(s) |
| Director Since |
| Number and |
|
COLLIN KETTELL, Puerto Rico, United States | | Chief Executive Officer(2), Executive Chairman and Director | | Chief Executive Officer (since April 14, 2022), Executive Chairman (since March 2020) and former CEO (2016 - 2020), New Found; CEO, Nevada King Gold Corp. (formerly Victory Metals Ltd.), since January 2019; Executive Chairman, Palisades Goldcorp Ltd., since August 2019; former CEO, Palisade Global Investments Ltd. Majority of the foregoing companies are mineral exploration and development companies. | | January 21, 2016 | | 5,155,000(3) (3.14%) | |
CRAIG ROBERTS(1), British Columbia, Canada | | Former Chief Executive Officer and Director | | Former CEO and Director, New Found, since March 2020 and December 2019, respectively; Chairman and Director (formerly CEO), Ethos Gold Corp., since 2018; Director, Nevada King Gold Corp. (formerly, Victory Metals Ltd.); formerly Chief Technical Officer, Palisades Goldcorp Ltd., since 2020; Director, K2 Gold Corporation, since 2016; Director, Global Battery Metals Ltd., since 2016. Majority of the foregoing companies are mineral exploration and development companies. | | December 17, 2019 (resigned April 14, 2022) | | 2,200,000 (1.34%) | |
DENIS LAVIOLETTE, Ontario, Canada | | President and Director | | President and Director. New Found, since 2016; Executive Chairman, Goldspot Discoveries Inc. since 2016. The foregoing companies are mineral exploration and development companies. | | January 21, 2016 | | 2,175,000 (1.32%) | |
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Name and Residence |
| Position(s) and |
| Principal Occupation(s) |
| Director Since |
| Number and |
|
GREG MATHESON, Ontario, Canada | | Chief Operating Officer | | COO, New Found, since 2019; former Manager of Exploration, Northern Gold Mining Inc., former Senior Project Manager, Oban Mining Corp. All of the foregoing companies are mineral exploration and development companies. | | — | | 110,000 (0.07%) | |
MICHAEL KANEVSKY, British Columbia, Canada | | Chief Financial Officer | | CFO, New Found, since 2019; CFO, Golden Planet Mining Corp.; former CFO, Mexican Gold Mining Corp; former CFO, Palisades Goldcorp Ltd. All of the foregoing companies are mineral exploration and development companies. | | — | | Nil | |
MELISSA RENDER Ontario, Canada | | VP Exploration | | VP Exploration, New Found (since January 11, 2022); former Senior Project Geologist, Elko Mining Group; former Senior Project Geologist, TMAC Resources Inc.; former Gold Exploration Consultant, Kinross Gold Corp.; former Gold Exploration Consultant, Chalice Gold Mines Ltd.; former Gold Exploration Consultant, McEwen Mining Inc.; former Gold Exploration Consultant Warrior Gold Inc.; former Gold Exploration Consultant, New Found Gold Corp. All of the foregoing companies are mineral exploration and development companies. | | — | | 2,000 | |
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Name and Residence |
| Position(s) and |
| Principal Occupation(s) |
| Director Since |
| Number and |
|
DR. QUINTON HENNIGH Colorado, United States | | Director | | President and Chairman, Novo Resources Corp., since 2009, Director, New Found, since 2020; Director, Irving Resources Inc., since 2015; Director, Kuya Silver Corporation (formerly Miramont Resources Corp.), since 2017; Director,Precipitate Gold Corp since 2010; Director, Condor Resources Inc., since 2020; Director, Tristar Gold Inc., since 2015. All of the foregoing companies are involved in one or all of: mineral exploration, development, production and the capital markets. | | June 17, 2020 | | 115,300 (0.07%) | |
DOUGLAS HURST British Columbia, Canada | | Director | | Director, New Found, since May 2021; Chairman, Elevation Gold Mining Corp. since February 2021; Director, Calibre Mining Corp., since 2017; Director, Newcore Gold Ltd., since 2017; former Director, Northern Empire Resources Corp., 2015 – 2018; former Director and VP Corporate Development, Raystar Enterprises Ltd. (predecessor of Newmarket Gold Inc. which was merged into Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd.), 2013 – 2016. All of the foregoing companies are mineral exploration and development companies or mineral production companies. | | May 11, 2021 | | 93,023 (0.06%) | |
VIJAY MEHTA New Jersey, United States | | Director | | Director, New Found, since April 14, 2022; Co-Founder of Arkview Capital since 2020; Managing Director of Ziff Brothers Investments from 2010 to 2019. Arkview Capital is a private equity fund and Ziff Brothers Investments is a family office investment firm. | | April 14, 2022(4) | | Nil | |
Notes:
(1) | Mr. Roberts resigned as Chief Executive Officer and director of the Company effective April 14, 2022. |
(2) | Mr. Kettell was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective April 14, 2022. |
(3) | Mr. Kettell is the principal securityholder of Palisades Goldcorp Ltd., which directly holds the 46,566,425 Common Shares of the Company (or 28.36% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares) as at the date of this AIF. |
(4) | Mr. Mehta was appointed as a director of the Company on April 14, 2022 to fill the vacancy following Mr. Roberts’ resignation. |
11.2 |
The term of office for each director of New Found expires at the next annual general meeting of shareholders of the Company.
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The members of Board committees are appointed by the Board of Directors as soon as possible following each annual general meeting of shareholders of the Company.
The officers of New Found are appointed by the Board of Directors and hold office for such period and on such terms as the Board of Directors may determine.
11.3 |
The committees of the Board of Directors of New Found and the directors serving on each of the committees are described below:
11.4 |
11.4.1 | Overview |
The Company has formed an Audit Committee comprised of Douglas Hurst (Chair), Dr. Quinton Hennigh and Vijay Mehta, all of whom are “financially literate” as defined in National Instrument 52-110 – Audit Committees (“NI 52-110”) and are considered “independent” pursuant to NI 52-110.
The Audit Committee provides assistance to the Board in fulfilling its obligations relating to the integrity of the internal financial controls and financial reporting of the Company. The external auditors of the Company report directly to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee’s primary duties and responsibilities include: (i) reviewing and reporting to the Board on the annual audited financial statements (including the auditor’s report thereon) and unaudited interim financial statements and any related management’s discussion and analysis, if any, and other financial disclosure related thereto that may be required to be reviewed by the Audit Committee pursuant to applicable legal and regulatory requirements; (ii) reviewing material changes in accounting policies and significant changes in accounting practices and their impact on the financial statements; (iii) overseeing the audit function, including engaging in required discussions with the Company’s external auditor and reviewing a summary of the annual audit plan at least annually, overseeing the independence of the Company’s external auditor, overseeing the Company’s internal auditor, and pre-approving any non-audit services to the Company; (iv) reviewing and discussing with management the appointment of key financial executives and recommending qualified candidates to the Board; (v) reviewing with management and the Company’s external auditors, at least annually, the integrity of the internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure; (vi) reviewing management reports related to legal or compliance matters that may have a material impact on the Company and the effectiveness of the Company’s compliance policies; and (vii) establishing whistleblowing procedures and investigating any complaints or concerns it deems necessary.
The full text of the Audit Committee Charter is attached to this AIF as Schedule “A”.
11.4.2 | Relevant Education and Experience |
Each member of the Audit Committee has adequate education and experience that is relevant to their performance as an Audit Committee member and, in particular, the requisite education and experience that have provided the member with:
(a) | an understanding of the accounting principles used by the Company to prepare its financial statements and the ability to assess the general application of those principles in connection with estimates, accruals and reserves; |
(b) | experience preparing, auditing, analyzing or evaluating financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Company’s financial statements or experience actively supervising individuals engaged in such activities; and |
(c) | an understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting. |
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Douglas Hurst
Mr. Hurst has over 30 years of experience in the mining and natural resource industries having acted as geologist, consultant, mining analyst, senior executive and board member. Mr. Hurst was previously a mining analyst with McDermid St. Lawrence Securities Ltd. and Sprott Securities Inc. and a contract analyst to Pacific International Securities Inc. and Octagon Capital Corporation. He was a founding executive of International Royalty Corporation, which was purchased by Royal Gold, Inc. for $700 million. Recently, Mr. Hurst was one of the founders of Newmarket Gold Inc., which was purchased for approximately $1 billion by Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd in November 2016. Mr. Hurst holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology from McMaster University (1986). Based on his experience, Mr. Hurst has an understanding of financial reporting requirements respecting financial statements sufficient enough to enable him to discharge his duties as an Audit Committee member.
Dr. Quinton Hennigh
Dr. Quinton Hennigh is an economic geologist with more than 25 years of exploration experience with major gold mining firms. Dr. Hennigh has various experience with budgeting, economic assessments, and financial reporting through roles at various publicly traded companies. Dr. Hennigh is familiar with managing junior mining companies, including financing and compliance with reporting requirements. Based on his experience, Dr. Hennigh has an understanding of financial reporting requirements respecting financial statements sufficient enough to enable him to discharge his duties as an Audit Committee member.
Vijay Mehta
Mr. Mehta is a co-founder of Arkview Capital that invests in diversity-oriented companies. Mr. Mehta is involved with several diversity initiatives, serving as a member of Genesis Bank’s DEI Committee, Board member of Clean Sea Transport, and Vice Chair of the New York Minority Supplier Development Council MBE Input Committee. Prior to founding Arkview Capital, Mr. Mehta was a Managing Director and member of the Investment Committee at Ziff Brothers Investments, and previously worked at private equity fund, Texas Pacific Group and investment bank, Morgan Stanley. Mr. Mehta earned an MBA from the Harvard Business School where he was named a Baker Scholar. Mr. Mehta has an understanding of financial reporting requirements respecting financial statements sufficient enough to enable him to discharge his duties as an Audit Committee member.
11.4.3 | Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures |
The Audit Committee mandate requires that the Audit Committee pre-approve any retainer of the auditor of the Company to perform any non-audit services to the Company that it deems advisable in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements and policies and procedures of the Board. The Audit Committee is permitted to delegate pre-approval authority to one of its members; however, the decision of any member of the Audit Committee to whom such authority has been delegated must be presented to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.
11.4.4 | Reliance on Certain Exemptions |
11.4.5 | External Auditor Service Fees by Category |
The fees billed by the Company’s external auditors in each of the last two fiscal years for audit and non-audit related services provided to the Company or its subsidiaries (if any) were as follows:
Financial Year Ending |
| Audit Fees |
| Audit Related Fees(1) |
| Tax Fees(2) |
| All Other Fees(3) | ||||
December 31, 2021 | | $ | 55,000 | | $ | 111,300 | | $ | 8,000 | | $ | 9,000 |
December 31, 2020 | | $ | 170,000 | | $ | 42,800 | | $ | Nil | | $ | Nil |
Notes:
(1) | Fees charged for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of an audit, and not included under Audit Fees. |
(2) | Fees charged for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning services. |
(3) | Fees for services other than disclosed in any other column. |
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On October 28, 2020, New Found appointed Crowe MacKay LLP as the auditor of the Company. At the request of the Company, Deloitte LLP resigned as the auditor of the Company. There were no reportable events, as such term is defined in National Instrument 51-102, between New Found and Deloitte LLP. New Found filed the required reporting package in accordance with National Instrument 51-102 on November 10, 2020.
11.5 |
The Company has formed a nominating and corporate governance committee (the “Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee”) comprised of Vijay Mehta (Chair), Collin Kettell and Douglas Hurst. Mr. Hurst and Vijay Mehta are considered “independent” and Collin Kettell, as Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, is not considered “independent”, pursuant to NI 52-110. In consultation with the Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee identifies and recommends to the Board potential nominees for election or re-election to the Board as well as individual directors to serve as members and chairs of each committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee establishes and reviews with the Board the appropriate skills and characteristics required of members of the Board, taking into consideration the Board’s short-term needs and long-term succession plans. In addition, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee develops, and annually updates, a long-term plan for the Board’s composition, taking into consideration the characteristics of independence, age, skills, experience and availability of service to the Company of its members, as well as opportunities, risks, and strategic direction of the Company.
11.6 |
The Company has formed a Compensation Committee comprised of Collin Kettell (Chair), Douglas Hurst and Vijay Mehta. Douglas Hurst and Vijay Mehta are considered “independent” and Collin Kettell, as Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer is not considered “independent”, pursuant to NI 52-110.
Each member of the Compensation Committee has business and other experience which is relevant to their position as a member of the Compensation Committee. By virtue of their differing professional backgrounds, business experience, knowledge of the Company’s industry, knowledge of corporate governance practices and, where appropriate, service on compensation committees of other reporting issuers and experience interacting with external consultants and advisors, the members of the Compensation Committee are able to make decisions on the suitability of the Company’s compensation policies and practices.
The charter of the Compensation Committee provides that it is responsible for, among other things, the following matters:
· | reviewing and approving corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of the CEO and other executive officers, evaluating the performance of the CEO and the other executive officers in light of those goals and objectives and approving their annual compensation levels, including salaries, bonuses, and stock option grants based on such evaluation; and |
· | reviewing the compensation of directors for service on the Board and its committees and recommending to the Board the annual Board member compensation package, including retainer, committee member and chair retainers, Board and committee meeting attendance fees and any other form of compensation, such as stock option grants or stock awards. |
While the Board is ultimately responsible for determining all forms of compensation to be awarded to the CEO, other executive officers and directors, the Compensation Committee will when appropriate review the Company’s compensation philosophy, policies, plans and guidelines and recommend any changes to the Board.
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11.7 |
The Company has formed a Technical Committee comprised of Denis Laviolette (Chair), Douglas Hurst and Quinton Hennigh. Douglas Hurst and Vijay Mehta are considered “independent” and Denis Laviolette, as President is not considered “independent”, pursuant to NI 52-110.
The purpose of the Technical Committee is to provide assurance to the Board as to the operational performance and operating risks of the Company, regarding those areas where technical understanding is required:
· | exploration, permitting, development, execution, and construction, operation of mining activities, security, and supply chain management; |
· | resources and reserves on the Company’s mineral resource properties; |
· | operating and production plans for proposed and existing operating mines; |
· | project and operations readiness; |
· | major commercial commitments; and |
· | ensuring the Company implements best-in-class property development and operating practices. |
The charter of the Technical Committee provides that it is responsible for, among other things, the following matters:
· | review and assess the reporting of all operating activities (to include exploration, mining, development, execution, construction, security, and supply chain management) and in the Committee’s discretion, make recommendations to the Board for consideration; |
· | review risk management procedures and monitor risks in all operating activities; |
· | review the effectiveness of the reporting of technical and operating matters; |
· | assess the adequacy of strategic planning, forecasting, and budgeting; |
· | assess legal and regulatory compliance of technical and operating matters; |
· | engage third-party technical consultants, where necessary; |
· | assess the performance of key operating personnel and operating teams; |
· | advise the CEO when required on specific M&A opportunities as requested by the CEO or directed by the Board; |
· | report and make recommendations to the Board on all technical and operating matters including material proposals, material contracts, and major commercial arrangements with potential key contractors and service providers; and |
· | perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Board from time to time or as may be required by applicable regulatory authorities or legislation. |
11.8 |
Except as disclosed below, none of the Company’s directors or executive officers is, as of the date of this AIF, or was within 10 years before the date of this AIF, a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of any company (including the Company) that (a) was subject to a cease trade order, an order similar to a cease trade order or an order that denied the relevant issuer access to any exemption under securities legislation, that was in effect for a period or more than 30 consecutive days (an “Order”) that was issued while the director or executive officer was acting in the capacity as director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of such issuer, or (b) was subject to an Order that was issued after the director or executive officer ceased to be a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer and which resulted from an event that occurred while that person was acting in the capacity as director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer.
None of the Company’s directors or executive officers, nor, to its knowledge, any shareholder holding a sufficient number of its securities to affect materially the control of the Company (a) is, as at the date of this AIF, or has been within the 10 years before the date of this AIF, a director or executive officer of any company (including the Company) that, while that person was acting in that capacity, or within a year of that person ceasing to act in that capacity, became bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency or was subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed
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to hold its assets, or (b) has, within the 10 years before the date of this AIF, become bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or become subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors, or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold the assets of such director, executive officer or shareholder.
None of the Company’s directors or executive officers, nor, to its knowledge, any shareholder holding a sufficient number of its securities to affect materially the control of the Company, has been subject to (a) any penalties or sanctions imposed by a court relating to securities legislation or by a securities regulatory authority or has entered into a settlement agreement with a securities regulatory authority, or (b) any other penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body that would likely be considered important to a reasonable investor in making an investment decision.
The information contained in this AIF as to ownership of securities of the Company, corporate cease trade orders, bankruptcies, penalties or sanctions, and existing or potential conflicts of interest, not being within the knowledge of the Company, has been provided by each director and executive officer of the Company individually.
Douglas Hurst was a director on the board of directors of Greatbanks Resources Ltd. (now Goldhills Holding Ltd.) (“Greatbanks”) from December 2003 to July 2016. On December 11, 2015, Greatbanks was subject to a cease trade order by the B.C. Securities Commission. The order was issued as a result of the Greatbank’s failure to file its annual audited financial statements for the financial year ended July 31, 2015. The financial statements were filed on March 18, 2016 and the cease-trade order was rescinded on March 21, 2016. Greatbanks resumed trading on the TSXV on June 1, 2016.
11.9 |
To the best of the Company’s knowledge, there are no existing or potential material conflicts of interest between the Company and any of its directors or officers as of the date hereof. However, certain of the Company’s directors and officers are, or may become, directors or officers of other companies with businesses which may conflict with its business. Accordingly, conflicts of interest may arise which could influence these individuals in evaluating possible acquisitions or in generally acting on the Company’s behalf. See also “Risk Factors – Conflicts of Interest”.
Pursuant to the BCBCA, directors and officers of the Company are required to act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company.
Generally, as a matter of practice, directors who have disclosed a material interest in any contract or transaction that the Board is considering will not take part in any Board discussion respecting that contract or transaction. If on occasion such directors do participate in the discussions, they will refrain from voting on any matters relating to matters in which they have disclosed a material interest. In appropriate cases, the Company will establish a special committee of independent directors to review a matter in which directors or officers may have a conflict.
12 |
Other than described below, to the Company’s knowledge, there are no legal proceedings or regulatory actions material to the Company to which it is a party, or has been a party to, or of which any of its property is the subject matter of, or was the subject matter of, since the beginning of the financial year ended December 31, 2021, and no such proceedings or actions are known by the Company to be contemplated.
On March 10, 2020, ThreeD Capital Inc. (“ThreeD”) and 1313366 Ontario Inc. (“131” and together with ThreeD, the “Plaintiffs”) filed a statement of claim in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice against Collin Kettell, Palisades Goldcorp Ltd. (“Palisades”) and the Company (the “ThreeD Claim”). Pursuant to the ThreeD Claim, the Plaintiffs are challenging the validity of the sale of 17,500,000 Common Shares by the Plaintiffs to Palisades on November 20, 2019.
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On November 15, 2019, ThreeD and 131 each entered into share purchase agreements with Palisades (the “Share Purchase Agreements”) under which Palisades agreed to purchase the 13,500,000 Common Shares owned by ThreeD and the 4,000,000 Common Shares owned by 131 for $0.08 per Common Share. The transactions closed on November 20, 2019. As a private company with restrictions on the transfer of its Common Shares, the Company had to approve the proposed transfer, which it did by a consent resolution of the Board.
ThreeD and 131 claim that at the time of negotiation and execution of the Share Purchase Agreements, Palisades and Mr. Kettell were aware of positive drill results from the Company’s 2019 Drill Program and the results were not disclosed to ThreeD and 131 to their detriment. Palisades and Mr. Kettell strongly deny ThreeD and 131’s allegations. ThreeD and 131 have made specific claims for (a) recission of the Share Purchase Agreements on the basis of oppression or unfair prejudice; (b) or alternatively, damages in the amount of $21,000,000 for the alleged improper actions by ThreeD and 131, (c) a declaration that Palisades and Collin Kettell, as shareholder or director and/or officer of the Company, have had acted in a manner that is oppressive, unfairly prejudicial or unfairly disregarded their interests, (d) a declaration that Palisades and Collin Kettell engaged in insider trading contrary to section 138 of the Securities Act (Ontario), (e) unjust enrichment and (f) interests and costs. Palisades and Mr. Kettell refute each of the specific claims made by the Plaintiffs.
The Company filed a statement of defence in response to the ThreeD Claim on June 12, 2020, pursuant to which, among other things, the Company denies that it is a proper party to the ThreeD Claim and the allegations against it therein, including because no relief is claimed against the Company in paragraph 1 of the ThreeD Claim.
The action has now progressed through the production of documents and oral examinations for discovery stages.
In early 2022, the Plaintiffs formally amended their statement of claim to increase the amount claimed to $229,000,000 and to advance a direct claim of oppressive conduct against the Company. While continuing to deny any and all liability to the Plaintiffs, the Company has amended its defence to include specific denials of the new allegations of oppressive conduct against it. As a result of the amendments, the Company anticipates that further discoveries will be necessary.
There have been no penalties or sanctions imposed against the Company by a court or regulatory authority, and the Company has not entered into any settlement agreements before any court relating to provincial or territorial securities legislation or with any securities regulatory authority, since its incorporation.
13 |
Except as disclosed in this AIF, to the knowledge of the Company, no director or executive officer, or person or company that beneficially owns, or controls and directs, directly or indirectly, more than 10 percent of the any class or series of the voting securities of the Company, or any associate or affiliate of the foregoing, have had any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction within the three most recently completed financial years or during the current financial year prior to the date of this AIF that has materially affected or is reasonably expected to materially affect the Company.
Certain directors and/or executive officers have been granted stock options of the Company and has received consulting fees for services provided to New Found.
14 |
New Found’s transfer agent and registrar is Computershare Investor Services Inc. at its principal office in Vancouver, British Columbia.
15 |
Except for material contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, the Company’s stock option plan is the only material contract to which New Found or any of its subsidiaries are a party to or entered into in the financial year
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ended December 31, 2021 or subsequently prior to the date of this AIF, or material contracts entered into prior to the beginning of the financial year ended December 31, 2021 which remain in effect as at the date of this AIF.
Stock Option Plan
New Found has a stock option plan pursuant to which the Board of Directors may grant Options to any director, senior officer, management company, employee or consultant of the Company (including any subsidiary of the Company), as the Board of Directors may determine, exercisable to acquire Common Shares up to a maximum of 10% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares at the time of grant. Every Option granted has a term not exceeding 10 years after the date of grant. There are currently 13,641,125 Options issued and outstanding as at the date of this AIF.
Outside of the above, New Found is not aware of any material contracts of the Company that were entered into (a) within the last financial year and up to the date of this AIF, or (b) before the last financial year but still in effect, and that is required to be filed under Part 12 of NI 51-102 or that would be required to be filed under 51-102 but for the fact that it was previously filed.
16 |
Information of a scientific or technical nature in respect of the Queensway Project is included in this AIF based upon the Technical Report with an effective date of February 18, 2022, prepared by Alan Lambden, P.Geo. and R. Mohan Srivastava, P.Geo. of RedDot3D Inc. who are each an independent Qualified Person under NI 43-101.
To the best of the Company’s knowledge, after reasonable inquiry, as of the date hereof, the aforementioned individuals and their firms do not beneficially own, directly or indirectly, any Common Shares.
The technical content disclosed in this AIF, other than the technical content disclosed in Section 5 hereof, was reviewed and approved by Greg Matheson, P.Geo., Chief Operating Officer of the Company and a Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101. To the knowledge of the Company, Greg Matheson is the registered or beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of less than one percent of the outstanding Common Shares.
Crowe MacKay LLP, the auditor of the Company’s audited financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, has advised the Company that it is independent of the Company in accordance with the Code of Professional Conduct of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario.
17 |
Additional information relating to New Found may be found on New Found’s website https://newfoundgold.ca/ or under New Found’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Additional information, including directors’ and officers’ remuneration and indebtedness, principal holders of New Found’s securities and securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans, is contained in New Found’s information circular for its most recent annual meeting of securityholders that involved the election of directors. Additional financial information in relation to New Found is provided in the Company’s audited financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
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CHARTER OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF NEW FOUND GOLD CORP.
1.ROLE AND OBJECTIVE
The Audit Committee (the “Committee”) is appointed by and reports to the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of New Found Gold Corp. (the “Corporation”). The Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities relating to financial accounting and reporting process and internal controls for the Corporation.
The Committee and its membership shall to the best of its ability, knowledge and acting reasonably, meet all applicable legal, regulatory and listing requirements, including, without limitation, those of any stock exchange on which the Corporation’s shares are listed, the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the “Act”), and all applicable securities regulatory authorities.
2.COMPOSITION
· | The Committee shall be composed of three or more directors as shall be designated by the Board from time to time. |
· | At least two members of the Committee shall be “independent” and each Committee member shall be financially literate (as such terms are defined under applicable securities laws and exchange requirements for audit committee purposes). Each member of the Committee shall be able to read and understand the Corporation’s financial statements, including the Corporation’s statement of financial position, income statement and cash flow statement and any other applicable statements or notes to the financial statements. |
· | Members of the Committee shall be appointed at a meeting of the Board, typically held following the annual shareholders’ meeting. Each member shall serve until his/her successor is appointed unless he/she shall resign or be removed by the Board or he/she shall otherwise cease to be a director of the Corporation. Any member may be removed or replaced at any time by the Board. |
· | Where a vacancy occurs at any time in the membership of the Committee, it may be filled by a vote of a majority of the Board. |
· | The Chair of the Committee may be designated by the Board or, if it does not do so, the members of the Committee may elect a chair by vote of a majority of the full Committee membership. The Chair of the Committee shall be an independent director (as described above). |
· | If the Chair of the Committee is not present at any meeting of the Committee, one of the other members of the Committee present at the meeting shall be chosen by the Committee to preside. |
· | The Chair of the Committee presiding at any meeting shall not have a casting vote. |
· | The Committee shall appoint a secretary (the “Secretary”) who need not be a member of the Committee or a director of the Corporation. The Secretary shall keep minutes of the meetings of the Committee. This role is normally filled by the Secretary of the Corporation. |
3.MEETINGS
· | The Committee shall meet at least quarterly, at the discretion of the Chair or a majority of its members, as circumstances dictate or as may be required by applicable legal or listing requirements, provided that meetings of the Committee shall be convened whenever requested by the auditor that is appointed by the shareholders (the “Independent Auditor”) or any member of the Committee in accordance with the Act. |
· | Notice of the time and place of every meeting may be given orally, in writing, by facsimile or by e-mail to each member of the Committee, when possible at least 48 hours prior to the time fixed for such meeting. |
· | A member may in any manner waive notice of the meeting. Attendance of a member at the meeting shall constitute waiver of notice of the meeting, except where a member attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the grounds that the meeting was not lawfully called. |
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· | Any member of the Committee may participate in the meeting of the Committee by means of conference telephone or other communication equipment, and the member participating in a meeting pursuant to this paragraph shall be deemed, for purposes hereof, to be present in person at the meeting. |
· | A majority of Committee members, present in person, by video-conference, by telephone or by a combination thereof, shall constitute a quorum. |
· | If within one hour of the time appointed for a meeting of the Committee, a quorum is not present, the meeting shall stand adjourned to the same hour on the next business day following the date of such meeting at the same place. If at the adjourned meeting a quorum as hereinbefore specified is not present within one hour of the time appointed for such adjourned meeting, such meeting shall stand adjourned to the same hour on the next business day following the date of such meeting at the same place. If at the second adjourned meeting a quorum as hereinbefore specified is not present, the quorum for the adjourned meeting shall consist of the members then present. |
· | If and whenever a vacancy shall exist, the remaining members of the Committee may exercise all of its powers and responsibilities so long as a quorum remains on the Committee. |
· | At all meetings of the Committee, every question shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast. In case of an equality of votes, the matter will be referred to the Board for decision. Any decision or determination of the Committee reduced to writing and signed by all of the members of the Committee shall be fully effective as if it had been made at a meeting duly called and held. |
· | The CEO and CFO are expected to be available to attend meetings when requested, but a portion of every meeting will be reserved for in camera discussion without the CEO or CFO, or any other member of management, being present. |
· | The Committee may by specific invitation have other resource persons in attendance such officers, directors and employees of the Corporation and its subsidiaries, and other persons, including the Independent Auditor, as it may see fit, from time to time, to attend at meetings of the Committee. |
· | The Board may at any time amend or rescind any of the provisions hereof, or cancel them entirely, with or without substitution. |
· | The Committee shall have the right to determine who shall and who shall not be present at any time during a meeting of the Committee. |
· | Minutes of Committee meetings shall be sent to all Committee members. |
· | The Chair of the Committee shall report periodically the Committee’s findings and recommendations to the Board. |
4.RESOURCES AND AUTHORITY
· | The Committee shall have access to such officers and employees of the Corporation and its subsidiaries and to such information with respect to the Corporation and its subsidiaries as it considers being necessary or advisable in order to perform its duties and responsibilities. |
· | The Committee shall have the authority to engage and obtain advice and assistance from internal or external legal, accounting or other advisors and resources, as it deems advisable, at the expense of the Corporation. |
· | The Committee shall have the authority to communicate directly with the Independent Auditor. |
5.RESPONSIBILITIES
(a)Chair
To carry out its oversight responsibilities, the Chair of the Committee shall undertake the following:
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· | provide leadership to the Committee with respect to its functions as described in this Charter and as otherwise may be appropriate, including overseeing the logistics of the operations of the Committee; |
· | chair meetings of the Committee, unless not present (including in camera sessions), and report to the Board following each meeting of the Committee on the findings, activities and any recommendations of the Committee; |
· | ensure that the Committee meets on a regular basis and at least four times per year; |
· | in consultation with the Committee members, establish a calendar for holding meetings of the Committee; |
· | ensure that Committee materials are available to any director on request; |
· | report annually to the Board on the role of the Committee and the effectiveness of the Committee in contributing to the objectives and responsibilities of the Board as a whole; |
· | foster ethical and responsible decision making by the Committee and its individual members; |
· | encourage Committee members to ask questions and express viewpoints during meetings; |
· | together with the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, oversee the structure, composition, membership and activities delegated to the Committee from time to time; |
· | ensure that resources and expertise are available to the Committee so that it may conduct its work effectively and efficiently; |
· | attend each meeting of shareholders to respond to any questions from shareholders as may be put to the Chair; and |
· | perform such other duties and responsibilities as may be delegated to the Chair by the Board from time to time. |
(b)The Committee
The Committee has the authority to conduct any investigation appropriate to its responsibilities, and it may request the Independent Auditor as well as any officer of the Corporation, or outside counsel for the Corporation, to attend a meeting of the Committee or to meet with any members of, or advisors to, the Committee. The Committee shall have unrestricted access to the books and records of the Corporation and has the authority to retain, at the expense of the Corporation, special legal, accounting, or other consultants or experts to assist in the performance of the Committee’s duties.
The Committee is hereby delegated the duties and powers specified in Section 225 of the Act and, without limiting these duties and powers, the Committee will carry out the following responsibilities:
Financial Accounting and Reporting Process and Internal Controls
· | review the annual audited financial statements and report thereon to the Board and recommend to the Board whether or not same should be approved prior to their being filed with the appropriate regulatory authorities. The Committee shall also review and approve the interim financial statements prior to their being filed with the appropriate regulatory authorities. The Committee shall discuss significant issues regarding accounting principles, practices, and judgments of management with management and the Independent Auditor as and when the Committee deems it appropriate to do so. The Committee shall satisfy itself that the information contained in the annual audited financial statements is not significantly erroneous, misleading or incomplete and that the audit function has been effectively carried out. |
· | assess the integrity of internal controls and financial reporting procedures and ensure implementation of appropriate controls and procedures. |
· | review the financial statements, management’s discussion and analysis relating to annual and interim financial statements, and press releases and any other public disclosure documents containing financial disclosure before the Corporation publicly discloses this information. |
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· | be satisfied that adequate procedures are in place for the review of the Corporation’s public disclosure of financial information extracted or derived from the Corporation’s financial statements, and periodically assess the adequacy of these procedures. |
· | meet no less frequently than annually with the Independent Auditor and the Chief Financial Officer or, in the absence of a Chief Financial Officer, with the officer of the Corporation in charge of financial matters, to review accounting practices, internal controls and such other matters as the Committee deems appropriate. |
· | inquire of management and the Independent Auditor about significant risks or exposures, both internal and external, to which the Corporation may be subject, and assess the steps management has taken to minimize such risks. |
· | review the post-audit or management letter containing the recommendations of the Independent Auditor and management’s response and subsequent follow-up to any identified weaknesses. |
· | oversee the Corporation’s plans to adopt changes to accounting standards and related disclosure obligations. |
· | in consultation with the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, ensure that there is an appropriate standard of corporate conduct including, if necessary, adopting and overseeing a corporate code of ethics for senior financial personnel. |
· | establish procedures for: |
· | the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Corporation regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters; and |
· | the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Corporation of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. |
· | provide oversight to related party transactions entered into by the Corporation. |
Independent Auditor
· | recommend to the Board for approval by shareholders, the selection, appointment and compensation of the Independent Auditor; |
· | be directly responsible for oversight of the Independent Auditor and the Independent Auditor shall report directly to the Committee; |
· | with reference to the procedures outlined separately in “Procedures for Approval of Non-Audit Services” (attached hereto as Appendix ‘A’), pre-approve all audit and non-audit services not prohibited by law to be provided by the Independent Auditor; |
· | review the Independent Auditor’s audit plan, including scope, procedures, timing and staffing of the audit; |
· | review the results of the annual audit with the Independent Auditor, including matters related to the conduct of the audit, and receive and review the auditor’s interim review reports; and |
· | review fees paid by the Corporation to the Independent Auditor and other professionals in respect of audit and non-audit services on an annual basis. |
Other Responsibilities
· | perform any other activities consistent with this Charter and governing law, as the Committee or the Board deems necessary or appropriate; |
· | institute and oversee special investigations, as needed; and |
· | review and assess the adequacy of this Charter annually and submit any proposed revisions to the Board for approval. |
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Appendix A
Policy for Approval of Non-Audit Services
1. | In the event that New Found Gold Corp. (the “Corporation”) or a subsidiary of the Corporation wishes to retain the services of the Corporation’s Independent Auditor for services other than the annual audit (e.g. tax compliance, tax advice or tax planning, to meet the requirements of a regulatory filing or due diligence, to receive advice on various matters, etc.), the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation shall consult with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”), who shall have the authority to approve or disapprove such non-audit services. The Chair of the Committee has the authority to approve or disapprove such non-audit services on behalf of the Committee, and shall advise Committee of such pre-approvals no later than the time of the next meeting of the Committee following such pre-approval having been given. |
2. | The Committee, or the Chair of the Committee, as appropriate, shall confer with the Independent Auditor regarding the nature of the services to be provided and shall not approve any services that would be considered to impair the independence of the Independent Auditor. For greater clarity, the following is a non-exhaustive list of the categories of non-audit services that would be considered to impair the independence of the Independent Auditor: |
(a) | bookkeeping or other services related to or requiring management decisions in connection with the Corporation’s accounting records or financial statements; |
(b) | financial information systems design and implementation; |
(c) | appraisal or valuation services, fairness opinion or contributions-in-kind reports; |
(d) | actuarial services; |
(e) | internal audit outsourcing services; |
(f) | management functions; |
(g) | human resources; |
(h) | broker or dealer, investment adviser or investment banking services; |
(i) | legal services; |
(j) | expert services unrelated to the audit; and |
(k) | any other service that the Canadian Public Accountability Board or any other applicable regulatory authority determines is impermissible. |
3. | The Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation shall maintain a record of non-audit services approved by the Chair of the Committee or the Committee for each fiscal year and provide a report to the Committee any services pre-approved since the last report, at each meeting and no less frequently than on a quarterly basis. |
4. | In accordance with the requirements set forth under the “Exemption for minimal non-audit services” provided by Section 2.3(4) of National Instrument 52-110 — Audit Committees, whereby the Independent Auditor has commenced a service and: |
(a) | the Corporation or the subsidiary entity of the Corporation, as the case may be, and the Independent Auditor did not recognize the services as non-audit services at the time of the engagement; |
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(b) | once recognized as non-audit services, the services are promptly brought to the attention of the Committee and approved by the Committee prior to the completion of the audit; and |
(c) | the aggregate fees for the non-audit services not previously approved are immaterial in comparison to the aggregate fees paid by the Corporation to the Corporation’s Independent Auditor during the financial year in which the services are provided, |
such services shall be exempted from the requirements for pre-approval of non-audit services set out in this Policy.
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| Exhibit 99.2 |
AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
The following discussion is management’s assessment and analysis of the results and financial condition of New Found Gold Corp. (the “Company” or “NFG”) and should be read in conjunction with the accompanying audited financial statements and related notes. The financial data was prepared using accounting policies consistent with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and all figures are reported in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated. Please refer to the cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements and information within this Management’s Discussion & Analysis (“MD&A”) and the Risks Factors discussed in the Company’s most recent Annual Information Form on file with the Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities and Form 40-F on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
This MD&A contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, (collectively, “forward-looking statements”), that involve numerous risks and uncertainties. The Company continually seeks to minimize its exposure to business risks, but by the nature of its business and exploration activities and size, will always have some risk. These risks are not always quantifiable due to their uncertain nature. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties, including those described under the headings “Risks and Uncertainties” and “Cautionary Notes Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, then actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements. The effective date of this report is May 16, 2022.
The technical content disclosed in this MD&A was reviewed and approved by Greg Matheson, P. Geo., Chief Operating Officer, and a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Matheson consents to the publication of this MD&A, by NFG. The scientific and technical information in this MD&A relating to the Queensway Project is derived from, and in some instances is a direct extract from, and is based on the assumptions, qualifications and procedures set out in, the report entitled “43-101 Technical Report for the Queensway Project, Newfoundland, Canada” with an effective date of February 18, 2022, prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 (the “Queensway Technical Report”). Reference should be made to the full text of the Queensway Technical Report, which is available for review under the Company’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Description of Business
The Company was incorporated on January 6, 2016, under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario). On June 23, 2020, the Company continued as a British Columbia corporation under the Business Corporation Act in the province of British Columbia. The Company’s head office is located at 1430 – 800 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 2V6, and its registered office is located at Suite 2600 – 595 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V7X 1L3. On August 11, 2020, the Company completed an initial public offering and listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “NFG”. On September 29, 2021, the Company also listed its shares on the NYSE American stock exchange under the symbol “NFGC”.
The Company is a mineral exploration company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and evaluation of resource properties with a focus on gold properties located in the Provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador and Ontario, Canada. The Company’s principal objective is to explore and develop the Queensway Project, which is located near Gander, Newfoundland and to identify other properties worthy of investment and exploration. For the purpose of NI 43-101, the Queensway Project is the Company’s only material property.
The Queensway Project is comprised of 86 mineral licenses, including 6,041 claims comprising 151,030 hectares of land located near Gander, Newfoundland. The Queensway Project is accessible by main access roads including the Trans-Canada Highway (“TCH”) that passes through the southern portion of the project and has high voltage electric transmission lines running through the project area. In addition, the Company owns a 100% interest in the Lucky Strike project in Kirkland Lake, Ontario comprising 11,684 hectares, as well as a portfolio of mining and royalty interests throughout northeastern Ontario.
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AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
The Lucky Strike Property is located 10km north of Larder Lake, Ontario and is comprised of 639 single cell un-patented mining claims. The Company is well financed to advance its planned exploration activities on the projects as intended.
As of the date of this MD&A, the Company’s Board of Directors consisted of the following: Collin Kettell (Executive Chairman), Vijay Mehta , Denis Laviolette, Douglas Hurst and Quinton Hennigh.
Additional information relating to the Company is available on the Company’s website at www.newfoundgold.ca.
Project Summary
Queensway Project, Newfoundland
Ownership
The Queensway Project contains nine optioned claim packages along with mineral licenses map staked by NFG. The Company acquired the rights to the Queensway Project by map staking mineral licenses and making a series of staged payments in cash and common shares of the Company from 2016 through 2019 under nine separate option agreements. All of the option agreements have been fully exercised resulting in 100% ownership by NFG of the mineral licenses related to such option agreements. In addition to the nine option agreements, NFG also conducted map staking resulting in 49 map staked mineral licenses, which are held 100% by NFG. The optioned lands also carry various net smelter royalties, the option agreements locations can be seen in the figure below.
Queensway Project – Option Agreement Claim Groups
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AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Queensway Project – Overall Project Showing Gold Occurrences
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AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Queensway Project – Locations of Prospects along the AFZ and JBPFZ.
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AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Environmental and Exploration Permitting
All exploration activities, including reclamation, must comply with all pertinent federal and provincial laws and regulations, the fundamental requirement of which, is that exploration on crown land must prevent unnecessary or undue degradation or impact on fish and wildlife and requires reclamation if any degradation or impacts that occur. All exploration activities in Newfoundland and Labrador require an Exploration Approval from the Department of Natural Resources prior to the start of work. In this, approval requirements for the exploration are listed with contacts for the various entities given. Four Exploration Approvals are in place at the Queensway Project as of the date of this MD&A along with other associated provincial permits.
The first Exploration Approval is for diamond drilling (1500 Holes) on the Queensway North (“QWN”) area shown on the map above; this approval expires on November 4, 2022. The second Exploration Approval is for trenching within the Queensway South (“QWS”) area shown on the map above and expires on June 17, 2022. A third Exploration Approval covers geochemical sampling and prospecting over the entire Queensway Project and expires on June 10, 2022. The fourth Exploration Approval covers passive seismic geophysics within the GGN area and expires on October 14, 2022. Any changes to the planned work have to be submitted to the Department of Natural Resources and either an amended approval is given, or a new application has to be made.
A number of secondary permits and authorizations are held by the Company to conduct its exploration activities related to camp development, the cutting of wood, construction of access trails and modifications to water bodies.
In October 2020, the Company submitted an environmental registration document with the Newfoundland Ministry of Environment for review related to its diamond drilling activities on the QWN claim group. The Company was released from the environmental review on December 12, 2020, subject to several operating/reporting conditions including:
· | Limitations on the percentage of land disturbance within protected public supply areas (“PPWSAs”) |
· | Requirements for the capping or sealing of drill holes in and outside of PPWSAs |
· | The establishment of a water-sampling program |
· | The development of a waste management plan |
· | The maintenance of buffers at certain shoreline, outflow, waterbodies and wetland sites and restrictions on vegetation clearing near bird habitats; and |
· | The development of a women’s employment plan |
To date, all of our operating conditions have been met, and the Company is in compliance with all reporting conditions.
Generally, the mineral licenses are available for exploration activities year-round and only subject to the conditions of the exploration approvals; other activities such as construction, road building, camps and water crossings may require additional permits from outside of the mines department. Mineral licenses within the southernmost portion of Gander Gold South (“GGS”), specifically licenses 024557M, 024558M, 024561M, 024563M, 024568M, and 024570M are restricted from exploration activities from mid-May to early-July due to spring habitat for Newfoundland caribou.
Project Infrastructure
The main access roads include the TCH that passes through the southern portion of the Appleton Fault Zone (“AFZ”) / Joe Batts Pond Deformation Zone (“JBPFZ”) claim areas on the QWN, and the Northwest Gander (“NWG”) road that extends along the western portion of the property from the TCH just west of Glenwood, to the south and west of Gander Lake on the GGS.
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AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Gravel woods access roads originally built for the forestry industry, such as the AFZ access, the JBPFZ access, the JBP road and the roads to the east of the steel bridge across the NWG River and across the bridge to the east of the Southwest Gander River extend through most of the property, with areas in the extreme SE and SW the most difficult to access. The SW area is best accessed by woods roads from Route 360, the Baie D’Espoir highway, that leaves the TCH at Bishop’s Falls, approximately 70 km to the west of Glenwood.
Transportation availability includes the international airport at Gander which has bush plane and helicopter bases, a helicopter base in Appleton and shipping through the ports of Lewisporte and Botwood, 25 km and 70 km to the west respectively, and north of the TCH, both with good harbours although problems with winter shipping due to sea and pack ice.
Electricity is available from the NL provincial grid, which has three transmission lines through the Queensway Project as follows:
1) | A 350 kV HVdc direct current line which passes through the approximate centre of the GGS licences; |
2) | Two 138 kV HVac transmission lines to the north of the TCH crossing the AFZ and JBPFZ trends on the QWN licences; |
3) | A 69 kV HVac transmission line that approximately parallels the TCH to the north across the AFZ and JBPFZ trends on the QWN licences and follows the TCH and secondary routes. |
In addition, electrical power is supplied, through the provincial grid, to the towns of Glenwood and Appleton which are surrounded by the NFG Queensway licences.
Historical Work
There has been over 29,200 metres of core in 238 holes drilled historically on the Queensway Project by Noranda, Rubicon and various operators from the mid 1980’s through to 2012. Historical core drilling has primarily occurred north of Gander Lake along the two principal fault structures the AFZ and JBPFZ; the exploration drilling has been spread out amongst individual zones with drilling along 5 km of the AFZ targeting the Lotto, Powerline, Cokes, Keats, Dome, Trench 26, Road, Knob, Letha and Grouse Zones. Drilling at the JBPFZ has focussed along 3 km targeting the Pocket Pond and H-Pond zones and one drill hole targeting the 798 Zone. Significantly lesser number of drill holes have also targeted zones south of Gander Lake including the Paul’s Pond showing, Aztec and A-Zone extension and the Goose zone.
Throughout the 1980’s through mid-2000’s various operators and prospectors have completed surface geochemical sampling including tills, soils and rock samples. This amounts to roughly 2,500 till samples, over 14,000 soil samples and 6,000 rock samples spread across the large district scale project with concentrations of work around the many showings in the Queensway license group. This work has identified a number of gold in soil or gold in till anomalies that have led to surface gold discoveries or have yet to be explained with follow up exploration. Several locations throughout the project have defined surface float samples containing high grade gold mineralization some of which have led to surface gold occurrences while other locations have not been adequately explored to trace them to source.
Various historical ground geophysical surveys have been conducted throughout the Queensway Project with most of this work concentrated either along the AFZ, JBPFZ or in the region of the Paul’s Pond and Greenwood Pond showings in the QWS claim group. Over 50 different geophysical surveys including VLF, EM, MAG and IP have covered ground-based grids throughout the Queensway Project. Various anomalies have been identified and often limited follow up exploration has occurred.
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AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
A significant number of surface trenches have been conducted at the project with over 330 trenches. Many of the historical trenches have targeted soil and till anomalies with only some of these reaching bedrock; often the trenches not reaching bedrock have left both soil and till anomalies unexplained and open for further interpretation and exploration.
Project Geology
The Queensway Project is located within the Exploits subzone of the Dunnage zone and lies just to the west of the Gander River Ultramafic Complex (“GRUC”) fault, which is the Dunnage-Gander zones boundary. See figure below:
Queensway Project – Geological context of the Queensway Project Geological map from Colman-Sadd et al., 1990. A) Location of the major terranes of Newfoundland. B) Regional geological context.
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AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
It mostly comprises Cambrian to Silurian meta-sedimentary rocks of the Davidsville group (Williams et al., 1988; Colman-Sadd et al., 1990; Valverde- Vaquero et al., 2006; van Staal, 2007; O’Reilly et al., 2010). The Davidsville group is divided into the Outflow Formation and the Hunt’s Cove Formation. The property south of Gander Lake also includes the boundary between the Davidsville and Indian Island groups. The latter mainly comprises Silurian siliciclastic rocks, intruded by the Mount Peyton Intrusive suite.
There are over 100 gold showings/occurrences on and around the Queensway Project however the most notable mineralized zones in the Queensway Project are the JBPFZ which includes the H-Pond, Pocket Pond, Glass, Logan and Lachlan showings and the AFZ which includes the Dome, Little, Knob, Letha, Lotto, Grouse, Road, Bullet, Trench 26, Cokes, Powerline, Keats and Bowater showings. A number of gold mineralized occurrences also occur within the QWS claim group including the Greenwood Pond, Hornet, North Pauls Pond, Aztec, Goose, Road Gabbro and LBNL showings.
Recent Exploration
Queensway Drill Program
On August 17, 2020, the Company announced it had initiated a 100,000m HQ size diamond drilling program at the Queensway Project. The Company announced on January 6, 2021, that it has now increased the drilling program started in 2020 to a total of 200,000m; this program was further expanded on October 15, 2021 to 400,000m and is expected to reach 14 drill rigs in 2022. In 2020 the Company completed 66 drill holes targeting the Little-Powerline, Lotto, Dome and Keats zones for a total of 13,400m. In 2021 the Company has completed an additional 391 drill holes totalling 117,043m. The drilling program is ongoing with ten rigs active and approximately 43% complete as of May 5, 2022, and is expected to continue into Q2 2023.
The drilling program is designed to test multiple exploration targets and zones along the 7.8 km of the Appleton Fault Zone and 12 km of the JBP Fault Zone at Queensway North. The primary focus is on the expansion of known zones of mineralization and testing targets to generate new mineralized zones.
In 2022 the Company also expects to complete an inaugural drilling program at the Queensway South part of the project testing early-stage exploration targets as part of the 400,000m program.
The majority of drilling to date has occurred along the Appleton Fault with eleven drill rigs active. To date 320 drill holes have been completed at the Keats Zone totalling 87,595m, 77 drill holes at the Lotto Zone totalling 21,497m, 70 drill holes at the Golden Joint zone totalling 23,681m with the balance of 68 drill holes totalling 15,721m completed at other zones/targets along the Appleton Fault including the Little-Powerline, Cokes, Road, Zone 36, Knob, TCH, Dome and Big Dave.
The Company is also actively exploring along the JBP Fault zone with 88 holes totalling 23,605m completed to date at the 798, 1744 and Pocket Pond prospects.
Keats Zone Drilling
To date the Company has focussed its drilling efforts at the Keats zone where a discovery hole in late 2019 (NFGC-19-01) was drilled. A number of significant gold assay intercepts have been encountered within multiple individual zones at Keats.
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AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Initial assay results from five drill holes at the Keats zones were reported in press release dated October 27, 2020, with further assay results reported on November 16, 2020; December 15, 2020; January 11, 2021; February 9, 2021; March 1, 2021; March 9, 2021; March 16, 2021; March 30, 2021; April 5, 2021; April 20, 2021; April 27, 2021; May 4, 2021; May 21,2021; June 15, 2021; July 5, 2021; September 15, 2021; October 13, 2021; October 14, 2021; January 13, 2022; January 26, 2022; February 24, 2022; March 2, 2022; April 11, 2022; April 13, 2022 and May 4, 2022 found through SEDAR.
The Keats zone continues to see a steady increase in both strike length and depth with the largest step-out result of 62.3 g/t Au over 2m in NFGC-21-387 reported on February 24, 2022, indicating the down plunge of the Keats Main high-grade zone has now increased to 845m starting at the bedrock surface. Additional highlight intercepts reported up-plunge within this high-grade domain of the Keats Main Zone include 106.2 g/t Au over 35.4m in NFGC-21-182 (reported May 21, 2021), 124.4 g/t Au over 17.7m in NFGC-20-59 (reported on May 4, 2021) and the discovery hole, NFGC-19-01 yielding 86.2 g/t Au over 20.5m (reported on January 28, 2020). Assay results from October 13, 2021, January 13, 2022, and January 26, 2022, have shown a new area of significant high-grade gold which was originally reported to be located within the Keats Footwall (“Keats FW”). Reinterpretation of these intercepts and an update to the geological model, indicate that these intercepts are instead a part of the Keats Main Zone hosted within the Keats-Baseline Fault. These zones originally referenced as Keats FW include an intercept of 88.5g/t Au over 3.35m in NFGC-21-238, 56.7g/t Au over 2.45m in NFGC-21-407 and 28.2 g/t Au over 4.5m in NFGC-21-413A; the Keats Main Zone long-section has been updated to reflect this change in interpretation.
Exploration drilling focused on testing above the southwest-plunging domain of high-grade within the Keats Main Zone successfully expanded the high- grade gold mineralization up-dip towards surface. This is demonstrated by intercept 55.6 g/t Au over 3.20m in NFGC-21-385, located at surface and 200m up-dip of the dilatant zone and intercept 10.7 g/t Au over 3.15m in NFGC-21-306 located 75m up-dip of the dilatant zone, both reported on March 2, 2022. On average, the Keats Main zone has been defined over a down-dip extent of ~200m.
More recent results reported in the April 11, 2022, news release continue to demonstrate that the Keats-Baseline Fault Zone forms an extension damage zone consisting of a multitude of faults and vein arrays that host high-grade gold mineralization. Examples include:
- | the new near surface discovery, the “421 Zone” at the south end of Keats, defined by intercepts 4.49 g/t Au over 3.55m and 7.85 g/t Au 4.85m in NFGC-21-421 and 4.31 g/t Au over 2.25m and 2.58 g/t Au over 10.40m in NFGC-21-467; |
- | the footwall (the area between the Keats-Baseline Fault and the AFZ) intercepts of 119.5 g/t Au over 2.4m in NFGC-21-375 and 6.66 g/t Au over 5.9m in NFGC-21-342; |
- | the intercepts of 9.35 g/t Au over 2.70m in NFGC-21-254 and 7.21 g/t over 5.75m in NFGC-21-392 that occur within two distinct structures that are adjacent to and crosscut the Keats Main Zone. |
Additional results released on April 11, 2022, further confirm the continuity, robust width and high-grade nature of the gold mineralization within the southwest-plunging dilational segment of the Keats-Baseline Fault with the intercept of 21.1 g/t Au over 7.2m in NFGC-21-464 and the identification of significant high-grade gold mineralization ~50m down-dip of this dilational segment at the north end of Keats with the result of 79.8 g/t Au over 3m in NFGC-22-491.
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AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Reconnaissance drilling working in the highly prospective region between the Keats Main and Golden Joint zones intersected significant mineralization, now named the “515 Zone”, returning initial intercepts of 9.21 g/t Au over 2.15m and 43.9 g/t Au over 3.85m in NFGC-22-515 approximately 440m north of the Keats Main Zone. Following this discovery, reconnaissance drilling in this region identified two additional new near surface zones. This includes the intercept of 275 g/t Au over 2.15 m in NFGC-22-538 which occurs at a vertical depth of 22m adjacent to the AFZ and is approximately 65m north of the Keats Zone and the intercept of 8.70 g/t Au over 6.75m in NFGC-22-533, located at a vertical depth of 65m in the black shales that form the hanging wall to the AFZ, this a new part of the stratigraphy that is largely unexplored and this intercept represents and important new target.
Advancements in the detailed geologic modelling with a focus on veins and associated faults has greatly increased the understanding of the Keats zone, identified a number of drill targets and has demonstrated good continuity of the high-grade gold mineralization within the host structures. An aggressive drill program will continue to expand this extensive network of high-grade gold veins and follow up on the new 515 and 421 discoveries.
Highlighted assay values and drill hole locations from Keats Main drilling are shown in the tables below:
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AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
1Note that the host structures are interpreted to be steeply dipping and true widths are generally estimated to be 60% to 95% of reported intervals. Infill veining in secondary structures with multiple orientations crosscutting the primary host structures are commonly observed in drill core which could result in additional uncertainty in true width. Intervals are calculated at a 1 g/t Au cut-off grade; grades have not been capped in the averaging.
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AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
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AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
The latest drilling results are shown on the long section, plan map and 3-D composite cross section below:
Queensway Project – Long Section of Keats Main (April 11, 2022)
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AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Queensway Project – Plan Map of Keats Zone (April 11, 2022)
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AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Queensway Project – Plan Map of Keats – Lotto with Location Lotto with Location Keats North Discoveries (May 4, 2022)
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AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Queensway Project – Keats Cross-Section, Looking NE (+/- 10m) (April 11, 2022)
Queensway Project – Keats Cross-Section, Looking NE (+/- 10m) (April 11, 2022)
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AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Queensway Project – Keats Cross-Section, Looking NE (+/- 10m) (April 11, 2022)
Lotto Zone Drilling
The Company has reported several significant gold assay intervals from the Lotto Zone starting with its first drill hole NFGC-20-17 reporting 16.3 g/t Au over 2.2m, 41.2 g/t Au over 4.75m and a third interval of 25.4 g/t Au over 5.15 m. The Lotto Zone is comprised of an approximately north-south striking, steeply east-dipping vein associated with a brittle fault. On January 14, 2021, the Company announced the discovery of a new zone named the “Sunday Zone” proximal to the Lotto Zone along the hanging wall of the AFZ. The new discovery represents the first known occurrence of gold mineralization proximal to the primary Appleton Fault structure with an intercept in drill hole NFGC-20-44 grading 18.1g/t Au over 6.5m at a down hole depth of 239m. Additional gold mineralized intercepts were reported on February 23, 2021, March 23, 2021, June 23, 2021 highlighted by drill holes NFGC-21-100 reporting 224.7 g/t Au over 2.45m, NFGC-21-109 reporting 51.3 g/t Au over 3.20m, NFGC-21-115 reporting 53.3 g/t Au over 3.10m NFGC-21-201 reporting 150.3g/t over 11.5m.
The most recent drilling highlights from the Lotto Zone showed an increase of the Lotto high-grade mineralization to 225m vertical depth from NFGC-21- 367A reporting 24.3 g/t Au over 2.2m on March 24, 2022, with a vein-defined depth of ~300m and a strike length of ~200m. An additional highlight from the March 24, 2022, release includes the intercept of 23.1 g/t Au over 2.05m in NFGC-21-319 into the Sunday Zone located ~65m down-dip of the previously reported intercept of 18.1 g/t Au over 6.5m in NFGC-20-44 (January 14, 2021).
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AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Highlighted assay values and drill hole locations from Lotto drilling are shown in the tables below:
Hole No. |
| From (m) |
| To (m) |
| Interval (m)1 |
| Au (g/t) |
| Zone |
NFGC-21-243 |
| 243.75 |
| 245.75 |
| 2.00 |
| 10.74 |
| Lotto Main |
Including |
| 244.50 |
| 245.45 |
| 0.95 |
| 22.49 |
| |
NFGC-21-289 |
| 192.95 |
| 195.35 |
| 2.40 |
| 12.57 |
| Lotto Main |
Including |
| 193.25 |
| 194.55 |
| 1.30 |
| 21.58 |
| |
NFGC-21-295 |
| 110.20 |
| 112.20 |
| 2.00 |
| 12.19 |
| Lotto Main |
Including |
| 110.55 |
| 111.25 |
| 0.70 |
| 34.81 |
| |
NFGC-21-296 |
| 228.00 |
| 230.60 |
| 2.60 |
| 15.66 |
| Lotto Main |
NFGC-21-319 |
| 176.60 |
| 179.00 |
| 2.40 |
| 20.01 |
| Lotto Main |
Including |
| 176.60 |
| 177.70 |
| 1.10 |
| 43.32 |
| |
And |
| 315.30 |
| 317.35 |
| 2.05 |
| 23.08 |
| Sunday |
NFGC-21-333 |
| 61.40 |
| 64.00 |
| 2.60 |
| 11.67 |
| Lotto Main |
Including |
| 62.75 |
| 63.25 |
| 0.50 |
| 58.00 |
| |
NFGC-21-338 |
| 282.65 |
| 284.80 |
| 2.15 |
| 25.31 |
| Lotto Main |
Including |
| 284.05 |
| 284.50 |
| 0.45 |
| 115.25 |
| Lotto Main |
NFGC-21-367A |
| 324.45 |
| 326.65 |
| 2.20 |
| 24.25 |
| Lotto Main |
NFGC-21-404A |
| 217.15 |
| 219.20 |
| 2.05 |
| 31.63 |
| Lotto Main |
Including |
| 217.45 |
| 218.05 |
| 0.60 |
| 107.50 |
| Lotto Main |
1Note that the host structures are interpreted to be steeply dipping and true widths are generally estimated to be 70% to 90% of reported intervals. Infill veining in secondary structures with multiple orientations crosscutting the primary host structures are commonly observed in drill core which could result in additional uncertainty in true width. Composite intervals reported carry a minimum weighted average of 1 g/t Au diluted over a minimum core length of 2m with a maximum of 2m consecutive dilution. Included high-grade intercepts are reported as any consecutive interval with grades greater than 10 g/t Au. Grades have not been capped in the averaging and intervals are reported as drill thickness.
- 18 -
AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
The latest results from the Lotto Zone are shown in the long section, plan map and cross section below:
Queensway Project – Lotto Zone Long Section (March 24, 2022)
- 19 -
AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Queensway Project – Lotto Zone Plan Map (March 24, 2022)
- 20 -
AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Queensway Project – Cross Section of Current Drilling Program, +/- 12.5m, Looking NE (Lotto Zone – March 24, 2022)
Golden Joint Drilling
On June 29, 2021, the Company announced the discovery of a new high-grade zone along the hanging wall of the AFZ named the Golden Joint. Comprised of two sub-parallel vein systems (Main Zone and HW Zone) and located between the Keats and Lotto zones this new discovery has yielded several notable high-grade intervals including NFGC-21-171 (10.4g/t Au over 4.85m), NFGC-21-241 (430.2g/t Au over 5.25m) within the Golden Joint Main Zone, consisting of an approximately north-south striking, steeply west-dipping quartz vein and brittle fault. Further assay results were published on September 28, 2021, with a notable intersection in NFGC-21-386 yielding 70.7 g/t Au over 5.25m. On January 19, 2022, the results reported showed the expansion of the Golden Joint Main Zone to a vertical depth of ~305m with drill hole NFGC-21-401 intersecting 98.1g/t Au over 3.85m and a vein-defined strike length of ~250m. Infill drilling results reported on March 24, 2022, the latest release, identified a domain of significant high-grade in NFGC-21-462 which returned 69.2g/t Au over 14.15m.
The Golden Joint HW continues to expand in all directions, forming a network of stock-work style veining that is largely constrained to a thick bed of greywacke. Drilling to date has extended the zone over a strike length of ~190m and to a vertical depth of ~125m. Highlight intervals include 64.9 g/t Au over 2.1m and 17.4 g/t Au over 2.45m in NFGC-21-225 reported on September 30, 2021, 33.1 g/t Au over 2.1m in NFGC-21-274 reported on January 6, 2022, 4.96 g/t Au over 6.2m in NFGC-21-187 reported on January 6, 2022 and the latest reported result on March 24, 2022 of 13.4 g/t Au over 2.1m in NFGC-21-264.
- 21 -
AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Highlighted assay values and drill hole locations from Golden Joint drilling are shown in the tables below:
1Note that the host structures are interpreted to be steeply dipping and true widths are generally estimated to be 70% to 90% of reported intervals. Infill veining in secondary structures with multiple orientations crosscutting the primary host structures are commonly observed in drill core which could result in additional uncertainty in true width. Composite intervals reported carry a minimum weighted average of 1 g/t Au diluted over a minimum core length of 2m. Grades have not been capped in the averaging and intervals are reported as drill thickness.
- 22 -
AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
The latest results from the Golden Joint Zone are shown in the long section and cross-section below and the plan map can be found in the section above:
Queensway Project – Golden Joint Long Section (March 24, 2022)
- 23 -
AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Queensway Project – Golden Joint Cross-Section, +/- 12.5m, Looking NE (March 24, 2022)
JBP Drilling
On March 9, 2022, the Company announced results from reconnaissance diamond drilling designed to test for epizonal style high-grade gold mineralization along the JBPFZ. This initial phase of drilling focused on a +3.5km segment of the JBPFZ encompassing 1744 and Pocket Pond target areas following up on historic drill results, high-grade float samples and Au-in-till anomalies as well as testing new conceptual targets. This program to date has produced a number of salient results including 31.88 g/t Au over 2.05m in NFGC-21-180 at 1744 and 25.40 g/t Au over 2.25m in NFGC-21-304 at Pocket Pond.
- 24 -
AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Highlighted assay values and drill hole locations from the JBP drilling are shown in the tables below:
1Note that the host structures are interpreted to be steeply dipping and true widths are generally estimated to be 75% to 90% of reported intervals for Pocket Pond and 55% to 65% of reported intervals for 1744. Infill veining in secondary structures with multiple orientations crosscutting the primary host structures are commonly observed in drill core which could result in additional uncertainty in true width. Intervals are calculated at a 1 g/t Au cut-off grade; grades have not been capped in the averaging.
- 25 -
AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
The latest results from the JBPFZ covering both 1744 and Pocket Pond target areas are shown in the long sections and plan maps below:
Queensway Project – 1744 Long Section (March 9, 2022)
- 26 -
AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Queensway Project – 1744 Plan Map (March 9, 2022)
- 27 -
AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Queensway Project – Pocket Pond Long Section (March 9, 2022)
- 28 -
AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Queensway Project – Pocket Pond Plan Map (March 9, 2022)
2020-2021 Field Program
Starting in June 2020, the Company initiated a field reconnaissance program within the QWS mineral licenses. The objective of this program is to conduct geological mapping, structural analysis, prospecting and the collection of C horizon till samples to be processed for gold grain analysis.
Initial results from the 2020 field program detailed till survey were reported on August 27, 2020, where the Company had announced it had found a new fertile gold region 45 km south of the current Queensway North drill targets. The Eastern Pond target is comprised of two areas where recent till results have shown highly anomalous total gold grain counts including a high percentage of pristine gold grains and yielded several sub-crop samples up to 15.0 g/t Au.
- 29 -
AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
One till sample yielded 216 gold grains, 163 (75%) of them classified as pristine. A second cluster of samples yielded up to 155 gold grains with 127 (82%) of these classified as pristine. The pristine morphology of these grains indicates that they have not travelled far from their bedrock source.
To date the Eastern Pond target is defined by sub-crop and till sample results over an approximately 4 km of strike length (see Figures below). Five other gold in till anomalies have been discovered to date within QWS and warrant follow up exploration.
Queensway South Project: Location of the Eastern Pond Anomaly at Queensway South
- 30 -
AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Queensway South Project: Eastern Pond anomaly and preliminary till results
Queensway South Project: Eastern Pond target till samples
Field crews were remobilized to the Eastern Pond area in late 2020 to conduct follow up work including prospecting, geological mapping and the collection of additional till samples to further vector the Company’s exploration towards bedrock sources. Follow up work at Eastern Pond in late 2020 resulted in the collection of rock samples, additional tills samples and two trenches were excavated.
In June 2021 field crews were mobilized to conduct early-stage exploration work throughout the Queensway Project including till sampling, geological mapping, rock sampling and trenching. The goal of this program has been to aid in the development of drilling targets for a planned diamond drilling program in 2022.
- 31 -
AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Sampling, Sub-sampling and Laboratory
Host structures along the Appleton Fault Zone are generally interpreted to be steeply dipping and true widths are estimated to be 85% to 95% of reported widths at Keats, unknown at Keats FW, 80% to 90% at Lotto, 70% to 90% at Golden Joint, in some areas infill veining in secondary structures with multiple orientations crosscutting the primary host structures are commonly observed in drill core which could result in additional variability in true width. Assays are uncut, and calculated intervals are reported over a minimum length of 2 meters using a lower cut-off of 1.0 g/t Au. Samples comprise either whole or split HQ size core and the assays reported were obtained by either complete sample metallic screen/fire assay or standard 30-gram fire-assaying with ICP finish at ALS Minerals in Vancouver, British Columbia, or by entire sample screened metallic screen fire assay at Eastern Analytical in Springdale, Newfoundland or through Chrysos PhotonAssayTM method with Intertek based in Perth, Australia.
The metallic screen or PhotonAssayTM method is selected by the geologist when samples contain coarse gold or any samples displaying gold initial fire assay values greater than 1.0 g/t Au. Drill program design, Quality Assurance/Quality Control and interpretation of results is performed by qualified persons employing a Quality Assurance/Quality Control program consistent with National Instrument 43-101 and industry best practices. Standards and blanks are included at a minimum with every 20 samples for Quality Assurance/Quality Control purposes by the Company as well as the lab. Approximately 3% of sample pulps are sent to secondary laboratories for check assays.
Qualified Person
The technical content disclosed in this MD&A was reviewed and approved by Greg Matheson, P. Geo., Chief Operating Officer, and a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Matheson consents to the publication of this MD&A, by NFG.
Report of QA/QC Program Review
On February 23, 2022, the Company announced the results of work programs and analysis completed by independent consultants initiated to investigate possible bias indicated by a set of 30 half-core duplicate assays (see Company's November 4, 2021, news release). The work program included completion of a substantial number of additional half-core screen fire assays providing a data set of 475 half-core duplicates, and the detailed statistical assessment of these results. The work also included detailed review of sample selection, preparation, and lab analysis procedures for the screen fire assays at ALS Minerals (‘ALS’) in Vancouver, BC and Eastern Analytical (‘EA’) in Springdale, NL. New Found's independent consultants concluded that there was no evidence of systematic bias in the Company's assay results and that the project uses well conceived and documented standard operating procedures (SOPs) for marking and sawing core, and for selecting the half-core samples sent for analysis. Based on these conclusions the Company resumed normal reporting of assay results.
Lucky Strike Project, Ontario
The Lucky Strike Project is located 10 km north of Larder Lake, Ontario and covers favourable and underexplored structural corridors associated with the Larder Cadillac Deformation Zone. The project is comprised of 639 single cell un-patented mining claims.
Land History
The current mineral cells comprising the Lucky Strike Project were acquired from the completion of two option agreements, one purchase agreement and online staking. The project was consolidated from May 2016 through May 2020 and currently the project is 100% owned by the company subject to various NSR up to 2%.
- 32 -
AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Lucky Strike Project – Project Location map, fault systems and Adjacent Projects
Environmental and Exploration Permitting
The Company has been issued four active exploration permits/plans by the Ontario MNDM which covers all areas of current exploration focus on the property. The permits allow for exploration activities on the property including mechanized stripping, mechanized diamond drilling and geophysical surveys with a generator. The four permits/plans are applicable for 3 years and will expire between the end of September 2023 and January 2024.
Project Geology
The Lucky Strike Project is covered by the Lower Blake River Group which are dominated by intermediate to mafic, massive volcanic flows. The volcanic flows have been intruded by diorite-gabbro intrusions which are up to 7 kilometres by 1.5 kilometre in size. In the Walsh-FP area a syenite-syenite porphyry intrudes the mafic-intermediate volcanics and hosts the gold-bearing quartz-ankerite veins of the Walsh Mine. The long axis of this syenite intrusion strikes approximately north-south and extends for 3.5 kilometres on the property and another 3 kilometres south of the property and is generally 0.5 kilometres wide. Two major regional faults cross the property, the Misema-Misty Lake Fault and the Mulven Fault, striking roughly in a northeast-southwest direction. These structures have been speculated as being as a continuation of the Kirkland Main Break Fault system which hosted the seven historic gold mines of the Kirkland Lake Gold camp. The Victoria Creek Deformation Zone, possibly a splay off the Misema-Misty Lake Fault and a control on the Victoria Creek and Upper Beaver Mines, lies just south of the property with splay structures extending onto the property.
- 33 -
AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
2021 3-D IP Survey
In mid 2021 the Company initiated a 3-D distributed induced polarization geophysical survey within the central and eastern portions of the property to cover prominent target areas encountered in field reconnaissance surveys in 2018 through 2021. This survey covers projected extensions of the Misema-Misty Lake and Mulven Fault zones as well as a large mafic syenitic body associated with the Kerr North target area. This survey resulted in the delineation of several geophysical targets and anomalies predominantly related to chargeability associated with the Mulven Fault Zone. The Company plans to test several of these anomalies with diamond drilling in early 2022.
Lucky Strike Project – Angled View of IP data cloud with the IP inversion model looking north-east
Lucky Strike Project – 3-D Chargeability Voxel with 0m MSL slice (purple voxel = > 6mV/V)
- 34 -
AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Diamond Drilling Program
Starting in November 2021 the Company has initiated a 4000m diamond drilling program at the Lucky Strike project. This program has been designed to test a variety of targets including the surface stripped outcrop located at the FP Zone where channel samples in 2018 yielded gold grades up to 72.2g/t Au over 3.9m. Other targets include geophysical chargeability anomalies associated with the Mulven Fault as well as within a large syenitic intrusion hosting the historic Kerr North showings. It is anticipated this program continues through Q2 2022.
- 35 -
AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
The schedules below summarize the carrying costs of acquisition and exploration costs incurred to date for each exploration and evaluation asset that the Company is continuing to explore as at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:
- 36 -
AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Overall Performance and Results of Operations
Total assets increased to $148,057,847 at December 31, 2021, from $73,536,928 at December 31, 2020, primarily as a result of an increase in cash of $52,753,451, investments of $10,852,461, sales taxes recoverable of $782,813, prepaid expenses and deposits of $920,854, exploration and evaluation assets of $7,526,247, and property and equipment of $1,537,330. The most significant assets at December 31, 2021 were cash of $100,484,576 (December 31, 2020: $47,731,125), investments of $31,942,458 (December 31, 2020: $21,089,997), exploration and evaluation assets of $8,525,481 (December 31, 2020: $999,234), and property and equipment of $2,914,459 (December 31, 2020: $1,377,129). Cash increased by $52,753,451 during the year ended December 31, 2021 as a result of cash proceeds received from private placement financings completed in April 2021, August 2021 and November 2021 for gross proceeds of $120,501,665 net of share issue costs of $4,457,654, proceeds from disposals of investments of $1,313,462, proceeds received from stock options exercised of $1,236,170, and proceeds received from warrants exercised of $1,156,523, partially offset by cash used in operating activities of $48,512,082, purchases of investments of $12,850,001, purchases of exploration & evaluation assets of $3,938,898, and purchases of property and equipment of $1,484,104.
- 37 -
AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
During the year ended December 31, 2021, loss from operating activities increased by $18,314,924 to $56,662,212 compared to $38,347,288 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase in loss from operating activities is largely due to:
- | An increase of $34,164,018 in exploration and evaluation expenditures. Exploration and evaluation expenditures were $42,271,457 for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $8,107,439 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The Company continued its ongoing diamond drilling program at its Queensway project and completed approximately 117,043 meters of drilling and incurred higher salaries and consulting fees, geophysics, assay and supplies and equipment costs due to an increase in exploration activity at its Queensway Project as well as completed a geophysical survey and initiated a 4,000 meter diamond drill program at its Lucky Strike Project during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to completing approximately 13,400 meters of drilling project as well as a 1,705 km airborne gravity survey, trenching, structural analysis, prospecting, till sampling and geological mapping at its Queensway Project during the year ended December 31, 2020. |
- | An increase of $1,152,610 in salaries and consulting fees. Salaries and consulting fees were $3,100,723 for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $1,948,113 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase is due to more consulting fees paid during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to less consulting fees paid during the year ended December 31, 2020. |
The increase was partially offset by:
- | A decrease of $18,845,121 in share-based compensation. Share-based compensation was $7,612,214 for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $26,457,335 for the year ended December 31, 2020. A total of 1,756,500 stock options were granted, of which 1,336,750 stock options vested, with a value of $7,612,214 during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to 15,492,500 fully vested stock options granted with a value of $26,457,335 during the year ended December 31, 2020. |
Other items
For the year ended December 31, 2021, other income was $6,022,137 compared to $5,812,849 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The $209,288 change is largely due to:
- | An increase of $4,845,542 in settlement of flow-through share premium. Settlement of flow-through share premium was $6,617,730 for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $1,772,188 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The Company incurred $33,254,971 of qualifying Canadian exploration expenses and derecognized $6,617,730 of its flow-through share premium liability during the year ended December 31, 2021. |
- | An increase of $1,152,438 in net change in unrealized losses on investments. Net change in unrealized losses on investments was $1,376,192 for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to net change in unrealized losses on investments of $223,754 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase is due to changes in the fair values of investments held at December 31, 2021. |
The increase in other income was partially offset by:
- | A decrease of $3,885,538 in gain on sale of exploration and evaluation assets. In 2021, the Company had sold a stand-alone claim that was part of the Queensway Project (claim 023951M also known as Unknown Brooke claim) to Long Range Exploration Corporation (“Long Range”) for non- cash consideration of 5,000,000 common shares of Long Range valued at $500,000. The Company recognized a gain on sale of exploration and evaluation assets in the amount of $499,415. In 2020, the Company recognized a gain on sale of exploration and evaluation assets of $4,384,953 in relation to the sale of certain Newfoundland exploration and evaluation assets for non-cash consideration comprised of investments with a fair value of $4,462,703. |
- 38 -
AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
The Company recorded a loss and comprehensive loss of $50,640,075 or $0.33 basic and diluted loss per share for the year ended December 31, 2021 (December 31, 2020: $32,534,439 or $0.29 basic and diluted loss per share).
SELECT ANNUAL INFORMATION
Selected annual information from the audited financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019 is presented in the table below. The financial data below has been prepared in accordance with IFRS and is reported in Canadian dollars.
|
| December 31, |
| December 31, |
| December 31, |
| | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
Selected Annual Financial Information | | $ | | $ | | $ |
Total Assets |
| 148,057,847 |
| 73,536,928 |
| 9,355,036 |
Operating expenses(1) |
| (6,778,541) |
| (3,782,514) |
| (1,137,342) |
Share-based compensation |
| (7,612,214) |
| (26,457,335) |
| (2,130,528) |
Exploration and evaluation expenditures |
| (42,271,457) |
| (8,107,439) |
| (657,539) |
Impairment of exploration and evaluation assets |
| (28,604) |
| (166,662) |
| (91,335) |
Net realized gain (loss) on disposal of investments |
| 192,114 |
| — |
| (120,734) |
Net change in unrealized (losses) gains on investments |
| (1,376,192) |
| (223,754) |
| 118,355 |
Settlement of flow-through premium liability |
| 6,617,730 |
| 1,772,188 |
| — |
Gain on sale of exploration and evaluation assets |
| 499,415 |
| 4,384,953 |
| — |
Net loss comprehensive loss |
| (50,640,075) |
| (32,534,439) |
| (4,020,032) |
Loss per share – basic and diluted |
| (0.33) |
| (0.29) |
| (0.07) |
(1)Operating expenses is comprised of corporate development & investor relations, depreciation, office & sundry, professional fees, salaries and consulting, transfer agent & regulatory fees, and travel.
Three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
During the three months ended December 31, 2021, loss from operating activities decreased by $9,459,353 to $14,246,280 compared to $23,705,633 for the three months ended December 31, 2020. The decrease in loss from operating activities is largely due to:
- | A decrease of $17,588,790 in share-based compensation. Share-based compensation was $350,831 for the three months ended December 31, 2021 compared to $17,939,621 for the three months ended December 31, 2020. A total of 62,500 stock options were granted, of which 6,250 vested, with a value of $350,831 during the three months ended December 31, 2021 compared to 6,267,500 fully vested stock options granted with a value of $17,939,621 during the three months ended December 30, 2020. |
The decrease was partially offset by:
- | An increase of $7,542,644 in exploration and evaluation expenditures. Exploration and evaluation expenditures were $12,094,840 for the three months ended December 31, 2021 compared to exploration and evaluation expenditures of $4,552,196 for the three months ended December 31, 2020. The Company continued its ongoing 400,000 meter diamond drilling program and completed approximately 31,154 meters of drilling in 90 holes during the three months ended December 31, 2021, and incurred higher salaries and consulting fees, and supplies and equipment costs due to an increase in exploration activity at its Queensway Project as well as completed a geophysical survey and initiated a 4,000 meter diamond drill program at its Lucky Strike Project during the three months ended December 31, 2020 compared to completing approximately 10,450 meters of diamond drilling in 51 holes at its Queensway project during the three months ended December 31, 2020. |
- 39 -
AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Other items
For the three months ended December 31, 2021, other income was $548,011 compared to other expenses of $1,934,089 for the three months ended December 31, 2020. The $2,482,100 change is largely due to:
- | A decrease of $4,975,546 in net change in unrealized losses on investments. Net change in unrealized losses on investments was $2,411,303 for the three months ended December 31, 2021 compared to $7,386,849 in unrealized loss on investments for the three months ended December 31, 2020. The change is due to changes in the fair values of equity investments held at December 31, 2021. |
- | An increase of $1,732,172 in settlement of flow-through share premium. Settlement of flow-through share premium was $2,917,262 for the three months ended December 31, 2021 compared to $1,185,090 for the three months ended December 31, 2020. The Company incurred $10,804,674 of qualifying Canadian exploration expenses and derecognized $2,917,262 of its flow-through share premium liability during the three months ended December 31, 2021. |
The increase in other income was partially offset by the following:
- | A decrease of $4,384,953 in gain on sale of exploration and evaluation assets. Gain on sale of exploration and evaluation assets was $Nil for the three months ended December 31, 2021 compare to $4,384,953 for the three months ended December 31, 2020. There were no sales of exploration and evaluation assets during the three months ended December 31, 2021 compared to the sale of certain Newfoundland exploration and evaluation assets for non-cash consideration comprised of investments with a fair value of $4,462,703 during the three months ended December 31, 2020. |
The Company recorded a loss and comprehensive loss of $13,698,269 or $0.09 basic and diluted loss per share for the three months ended December 31, 2021 (December 31, 2020: $25,639,722 or $0.18 basic and diluted loss per share).
Summary of Quarterly Results
| | 2021 | | 2020 | | ||||||||||||
|
| Dec. 31 | | Sep. 30 | | Jun. 30 | | Mar. 31 | | Dec. 31 | | Sep. 30 | | Jun. 30 | | Mar. 31 | |
|
| $ |
| $ |
| $ |
| $ |
| $ |
| $ |
| $ |
| $ | |
Revenues | | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — | |
Income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) for the period | | (13,698,269) | (2) | (35,289,366) | (3) | (3,738,904) | (4) | (5,391,344) | (5) | (25,639,722) | (6) | (10,986,378) | (7) | 10,700,940 | (8) | (6,609,279) | (9) |
Earnings (loss) per Common Share Basic(1) | | (0.09) |
| (0.23) |
| 0.02 |
| (0.04) |
| (0.18) |
| (0.09) |
| 0.11 |
| (0.08) | |
Earnings (loss) per Common Share Diluted(1) | | (0.09) |
| (0.23) |
| 0.02 |
| (0.04) |
| (0.18) |
| (0.09) |
| 0.09 |
| (0.08) | |
(1) | Per share amounts are rounded to the nearest cent, therefore aggregating quarterly amounts may not reconcile to year-to-date per share amounts. |
(2) | Decrease of loss and comprehensive loss from prior quarter primarily driven by a decrease of $21,123,862 in net change in unrealized losses on investments, an increase of $794,521 in settlement of flow-through share premium, offset by a decrease of $499,415 in gain on sale of exploration and evaluation assets. |
(3) | Increase in loss and comprehensive loss from prior quarter primarily driven by increase in net change in unrealized losses on investments of $45,665,743, exploration and evaluation expenditures of $657,261, salaries and consulting of $363,512, offset by a decrease in stock-based compensation of $6,617,299, an increase in amortization of flow-through premium liability of $730,445 and gain on sale of exploration & exploration assets of $499,415. |
- 40 -
AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
(4) | Increase of income and comprehensive income from prior quarter primarily driven by increase in net change in unrealized gains on investments of $19,690,880, and amortization of flow-through premium liability of $1,206,865, partially offset by an increase in share-based compensation of $6,939,341, exploration and evaluation expenditures of $4,266,113, salaries and consulting fees of $259,797, and a decrease in net realized gains on disposals of investments of $216,346. |
(5) | Decrease of loss and comprehensive loss from prior quarter primarily driven by a decrease in share-based compensation of $17,939,621, gain on sale of exploration and evaluation assets of $4,384,953, amortization of flow-through premium liability of $999,659, an increase in net change in unrealized gains on investments of $9,826,547 and net realized gains on disposals of investments of $204,230, partially offset by an increase in exploration and evaluation expenditures of $2,443,514. |
(6) | Increase of loss and comprehensive loss from prior quarter primarily driven by an increase in share-based compensation of $12,454,708, net change in unrealized losses on investments of $4,854,539, and exploration and evaluation expenditures of $2,298,723, partially offset by an increase in gain on sale of exploration and evaluation assets of $4,384,953, amortization of flow-through premium liability of $699,109, and a decrease of salaries and consulting fees of $217,685. |
(7) | Increase of loss and comprehensive loss from prior quarter primarily driven by an increase in net change in unrealized losses on investments of $17,431,256, share- based compensation of $2,452,112, exploration and evaluation expenditures of $1,666,095, salaries and consulting fees of $371,083, and corporate development and investor relations of $289,109, partially offset by amortization of flow-through premium liability of $384,864. |
(8) | Decrease from prior quarter primarily driven by an increase in net change in unrealized gains on investments of $20,102,487, amortization of flow-through premium liability of $101,117, and a decrease in exploration and evaluation expenditures of $145,268, partially offset by an increase in share-based compensation of $3,032,801. |
(9) | Increase from prior quarter primarily driven by increases in professional fees of $104,545, exploration and evaluation expenditures of $350,891 and net change in unrealized losses on investments of $5,279,853, partially offset by a decrease in share-based compensation of $2,130,528. |
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As at December 31, 2021, the Company had cash of $100,484,576 to settle current liabilities of $12,756,646.
The Company does not currently have a recurring source of revenue and has historically incurred negative cash flows from operating activities. As at December 31, 2021, the Company has working capital of $123,764,003 consisting primarily of cash, investments, prepaid expenses and deposits and sales taxes recoverable. The Company’s exploration and evaluation assets presently have no proven or probable reserves, and on the basis of information to date, it has not yet determined whether these properties contain economically recoverable resources.
The recoverability of amounts shown for exploration and evaluation assets are dependent upon the existence of economically recoverable reserves, the ability of the Company to obtain necessary financing to complete the development of those reserves and upon future profitable production.
The sources of funds currently available to the Company for its acquisition and exploration projects are solely due from equity financing.
The Company does not have bank debt or banking credit facilities in place as at the date of this report.
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AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
As at December 31, 2021, the Company had the following commitments (in addition to those disclosed elsewhere in this MD&A):
|
| Total |
| 1 Year |
| 1-3 Years |
| 4-5 Years |
| After 5 Years |
| | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ |
Lease obligations | | 190,835 |
| 62,517 |
| 11,035 |
| 11,096 |
| 106,187 |
Total contractual obligations | | 190,835 |
| 62,517 |
| 11,035 |
| 11,096 |
| 106,187 |
November 2021 Financing – Net Proceeds of $47,384,035
On November 24, 2021, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement financing of 5,000,000 flow-through common shares of the Company at a price of $9.60 per common share for gross proceeds of $48,000,000. The Company paid share issuance costs of $615,965 in cash of which $480,000 were finder’s fees. The premium received on the flow-through shares issued was determined to be $12,600,000.
| | Intended Use of | |
| | Over/(Under)- |
| | Proceeds | | Actual Use of | | Expenditure at |
|
| (Estimated) |
| Proceeds |
| December 31, 2021 |
Uses of Funds: | | $ | | $ | | $ |
Queensway Project work program | | 48,000,000 |
| — |
| (48,000,000) |
Total Uses | | 48,000,000 |
| — |
| (48,000,000) |
As at December 31, 2021, the Company has not yet used proceeds of this financings for qualifying Canadian exploration expenses at its projects. The Company must spend $48,000,000 of qualifying Canadian exploration expenses by November 24, 2023 to satisfy its remaining non-current flow-through liability of $12,600,000.
August 2021 Financing – Net Proceeds of $54,248,367
On August 24, 2021, the Company completed a bought-deal private placement financing of 5,048,500 flow-through common shares at a price of $11.39 per common share for gross proceeds of $57,502,415, which included the full exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment options. The Company paid share issuance costs of $3,254,048 in cash of which $2,734,547 were paid to the underwriters. The premium received on the flow-through shares issued was determined to be $14,590,165.
| | Intended Use of | | | | Over/(Under)- |
| | Proceeds | | Actual Use of | | Expenditure at |
|
| (Estimated) |
| Proceeds |
| December 31, 2021 |
Uses of Funds: | | $ | | $ | | $ |
Queensway and Lucky Strike Project work programs |
| 57,502,415 |
| 17,581,466 |
| (39,920,949) |
Total Uses |
| 57,502,415 |
| 17,581,466 |
| (39,920,949) |
As at December 31, 2021, the Company has used $17,581,466 of the proceeds for qualifying Canadian exploration expenses at its Queensway and Lucky Strike projects. As at December 31, 2021, the Company must spend another $39,920,949 of qualifying Canadian exploration expenses by the end of fiscal 2022 to satisfy its remaining current flow-through liability of $10,129,196.
- 42 -
AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
April 2021 Financing – Net Proceeds of $14,411,609
On April 8, 2021, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement financing of 2,857,000 flow-through common shares at a price of $5.25 per common share for gross proceeds of $14,999,250. The Company paid share issuance costs of $587,641 in cash of which $524,974 were finder’s fees. The premium received on the flow-through shares issued was determined to be $1,971,330.
| | Intended Use of | | |
| Over/(Under)- |
| | Proceeds | | Actual Use of |
| Expenditure at |
|
| (Estimated) | | Proceeds |
| December 31, 2021 |
Uses of Funds: | | $ | | $ |
| $ |
Queensway Project work program | | 14,999,250 |
| 14,999,250 | | — |
Total Uses | | 14,999,250 |
| 14,999,250 | | — |
The Company used $14,999,250 of the proceeds for qualifying Canadian exploration expenses at its Queensway project during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Prior Financings
August 2020 Initial Public Offering – Net Proceeds of $28,488,581
On August 11, 2020, the Company completed an initial public offering of 21,000,000 common shares at a price of $1.30 per share for gross proceeds of $27,300,000 and on August 14, 2020, its agents exercised their overallotment option in full to offer and sell an additional 3,150,000 common shares for gross proceeds of $4,095,000. The Company paid share issuance costs of $2,906,419 in cash and issued 1,379,768 agents’ warrants with a fair value of $771,769. The agents’ warrants are exercisable into common shares of the Company at $1.30 for 12 months from the date of issue in connection with the initial public offering.
June 2020 Financings – Net Proceeds of $6,992,009
On June 4, 2020, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement financing of 3,994,597 flow-through common shares at a price of $1.50 per common share for gross proceeds of $5,991,896. Finders’ fees paid were $69,394 in cash and the issuance of 64,282 warrants exercisable into common shares of the Company at $1.50 per share for two years from date of issue with a fair value of $25,912. The premium received on the flow-through shares issued was determined to be $1,690,704.
On June 10, 2020, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement financing of 866,385 flow-through common shares at a price of $1.30 per common share for gross proceeds of $1,126,300. Finders’ fees paid were $56,793 in cash and the issuance of 43,582 warrants exercisable into common shares of the Company at $1.30 per share for two years from the date of issue with a fair value of $16,271. The premium received on the flow-through shares issued was determined to be $259,915.
- 43 -
AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
The Company used $674,255 of the proceeds for qualifying Canadian exploration expenses at its Queensway project during the year ended December 31, 2021. The remaining portion of the proceeds of $6,443,941 was used in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.
Outstanding Share Data
During the year ended December 31, 2021, 1,273,000 stock options were exercised at a weighted average exercise price of $0.97 per share for gross proceeds of $1,236,170.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, 883,854 warrants were exercised at a weighted average exercise price of $1.31 per share for gross proceeds of $1,156,523.
On April 8, 2021, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement financing of 2,857,000 flow-through common shares at a price of $5.25 per common share for gross proceeds of $14,999,250. The Company paid share issuance costs of $587,641 in cash of which $524,974 were finder’s fees. The premium received on the flow-through shares issued was determined to be $1,971,330.
On August 24, 2021, the Company completed a bought-deal private placement financing of 5,048,500 flow-through common shares at a price of $11.39 per common share for gross proceeds of $57,502,415, which included the full exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option. The Company paid share issuance costs of $3,254,048 in cash of which $2,734,547 was paid to the underwriters. The premium received on the flow-through shares issued was determined to be $14,590,165.
On November 24, 2021, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement financing of 5,000,000 flow-through common shares of the Company at a price of $9.60 per common share for gross proceeds of $48,000,000. The Company paid share issuance costs of $615,965 in cash of which $480,000 were finder’s fees. The premium received on the flow-through shares issued was determined to be $12,600,000.
On November 25, 2021, the Company issued 458,823 common shares with an estimated fair value of $3,505,408 as part of the consideration to acquire royalty interests for an aggregate of 0.6% of net returns from the Company’s Linear and JBP Linear properties which form part of the Queensway project.
Subsequent to December 31, 2021, 975,625 stock options were exercised at a weighted average exercise price of $1.30 per share for gross proceeds of $1,264,438.
Subsequent to December 31, 2021, 30,000 stock options were granted at an exercise price of $8.98 and an expiry date of January 4, 2027.
Subsequent to December 31, 2021, 37,931 warrants were exercised at a weighted average exercise price of $1.37 per share for gross proceeds of $52,097.
As at December 31, 2021, there were 164,205,700 common shares issued and outstanding. As at the date of this report, there were 165,219,256 shares issued and outstanding.
- 44 -
AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
As at December 31, 2021, there were 14,595,000 stock options and 49,486 warrants outstanding. As at the date of this report, there were 13,641,125 stock options and 11,555 warrants outstanding.
Related Party Transactions
All transactions with related parties have occurred in the normal course of operations and on terms and conditions that are similar to those of transactions with unrelated parties and are measured at the amount of consideration paid or received. A summary of the Company’s related party transactions with corporations having similar directors and officers, being Goldspot Discoveries Inc. and Mexican Gold Mining Corp., is as follows:
|
| Year ended December 31, | ||
|
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| | $ | | $ |
Amounts paid to Goldspot Discoveries Inc. (i) for administration, exploration and evaluation | | (1,356,384) |
| (147,690) |
Amounts paid to Mexican Gold Mining Corp. (ii) for legal fees | | — |
| (127,234) |
Options exercised by members of key management | | 666,875 |
| 5,753,625 |
(i) Goldspot Discoveries Inc. is a related entity having the following common director and officer to the Company: Denis Laviolette, Director and President.
(ii) | Mexican Gold Mining Corp. is a related entity having the following common director and officer to the Company: John Anderson, Director, Michael Kanevsky, Chief Financial Officer. |
As at December 31, 2021, $225,619 is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities for amounts owed to Goldspot Discoveries Inc. (December 31, 2020 - $Nil owed to related corporations).
There are no ongoing contractual commitments resulting from these transactions with related parties.
Key Management Personnel Compensation
Key management personnel include those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Company as a whole. The Company has determined that key management personnel consist of executive and non-executive members of the Company’s Board of Directors and corporate officers.
|
| Salaries and | | Share-based | | | | Year ended |
| | Consulting |
| compensation |
| Bonus |
| December 31, 2021 |
| | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ |
Executive Chairman | | 300,000 |
| 1,291,220 |
| 100,000 |
| 1,691,220 |
Chief Executive Officer (i) | | 300,000 |
| 1,291,220 |
| 100,000 |
| 1,691,220 |
President | | 210,000 |
| 1,291,220 |
| 70,000 |
| 1,571,220 |
Chief Financial Officer | | 72,000 |
| — |
| — |
| 72,000 |
Chief Operating Officer | | 195,000 |
| 544,192 |
| 65,000 |
| 804,192 |
Non-executive directors | | 80,129 |
| 1,546,426 |
| — |
| 1,626,555 |
Total | | 1,157,129 |
| 5,964,278 |
| 335,000 |
| 7,456,407 |
- 45 -
AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
As at December 31, 2021 and 2020, there were no amounts payable to key management personnel in respect of key management compensation.
Under the terms of their management agreements, certain officers of the Company are entitled to 18 months of base pay in the event of their agreements being terminated without cause.
Risks and Uncertainties
The risks and uncertainties described in this section are considered by management to be the most important in the context of the Company's business. The risks and uncertainties below are not inclusive of all the risks and uncertainties the Company may be subject to and other risks may exist. The Company is in the business of acquiring, exploring and evaluating gold properties. It is exposed to a number of risks and uncertainties that are common to other gold mining companies. The industry is capital intensive at all stages and is subject to variations in commodity prices, market sentiment, inflation and other risks.
Exploration Stage Company
The Company is an exploration stage company and cannot give any assurance that a commercially viable deposit, or “reserve,” exists on any properties for which the Company currently has or may have (through potential future joint venture agreements or acquisitions) an interest. Determination of the existence of a reserve depends on appropriate and sufficient exploration work and the evaluation of legal, economic, and environmental factors. If the Company fails to find a commercially viable deposit on any of its properties, its financial condition and results of operations will be materially adversely affected.
No Mineral Resources
Currently, there are no mineral resources (within the meaning of NI 43-101) on any of the properties in which the Company has an interest and the Company cannot give any assurance that any mineral resources will be identified. If the Company fails to identify any mineral resources on any of its properties, its financial condition and results of operations will be materially adversely affected.
No Mineral Reserves
Currently, there are no mineral reserves (within the meaning of NI 43-101) on any of the properties in which the Company has an interest and the Company cannot give assurance that any mineral reserves will be identified. If the Company fails to identify any mineral reserves on any of its properties, its financial condition and results of operations will be materially adversely affected.
- 46 -
AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Reliability of Historical Information
The Company has relied on, and the disclosure in the Queensway Technical Report is based, in part, upon, historical data compiled by previous parties involved with the Queensway Project. To the extent that any of such historical data is inaccurate or incomplete, the Company’s exploration plans may be adversely affected.
Mineral Exploration and Development
Resource exploration and development is a speculative business, characterized by a number of significant risks including, among other things, unprofitable efforts resulting not only from the failure to discover mineral deposits but from finding mineral deposits which, though present, are insufficient in quantity and quality to return a profit from production. The marketability of minerals acquired or discovered by the Company may be affected by numerous factors which are beyond the control of the Company and which cannot be accurately predicted, such as market fluctuations, the proximity and capacity of milling facilities, mineral markets and processing equipment and such other factors as government regulations, including regulations relating to royalties, allowable production, importing and exporting of minerals and environmental protection, the combination of which factors may result in the Company not receiving an adequate return of investment capital.
There is no assurance that the Company’s mineral exploration and any development activities will result in any discoveries of commercial bodies of ore. The long-term profitability of the Company’s operations will in part be directly related to the costs and success of its exploration programs, which may be affected by a number of factors. Substantial expenditures are required to establish reserves through drilling and to develop the mining and processing facilities and infrastructure at any site chosen for mining. Substantial expenditures are required to establish ore reserves through exploration and drilling, to develop metallurgical processes to extract the metal from the ore and, in the case of new properties, to develop the mining and processing facilities and infrastructure at any site chosen for mining. Although substantial benefits may be derived from the discovery of a major mineralized deposit, no assurance can be given that minerals will be discovered in sufficient quantities and grades to justify commercial operations or that funds required for development can be obtained on a timely basis.
Estimates of reserves, mineral deposits and production costs can also be affected by such factors as environmental permitting regulations and requirements, weather, environmental factors, unforeseen technical difficulties, unusual or unexpected geological formations and work interruptions. In addition, the grade of ore ultimately mined may differ from that indicated by drilling results. Short term factors relating to reserves, such as the need for orderly development of ore bodies or the processing of new or different grades, may also have an adverse effect on mining operations and on the results of operations. Material changes in ore reserves, grades, stripping ratios or recovery rates may affect the economic viability of any project.
Competition and Mineral Exploration
The mineral exploration industry is intensely competitive in all of its phases and the Company must compete in all aspects of its operations with a substantial number of large established mining companies with greater liquidity, greater access to credit and other financial resources, newer or more efficient equipment, lower cost structures, more effective risk management policies and procedures and/or greater ability than the Company to withstand losses. The Company's competitors may be able to respond more quickly to new laws or regulations or emerging technologies or devote greater resources to the expansion of their operations, than the Company can. In addition, current and potential competitors may make strategic acquisitions or establish cooperative relationships among themselves or with third parties. Competition could adversely affect the Company's ability to acquire suitable new mineral properties or prospects for exploration in the future. Competition could also affect the Company's ability to raise financing to fund the exploration and development of its properties or to hire qualified personnel.
- 47 -
AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
The Company may not be able to compete successfully against current and future competitors, and any failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition or results of operations.
Additional Funding
The exploration and development of the Company’s mineral properties will require substantial additional capital. When such additional capital is required, the Company will need to pursue various financing transactions or arrangements, including joint venturing of projects, debt financing, equity financing or other means. Additional financing may not be available when needed or, if available, the terms of such financing might not be favorable to the Company and might involve substantial dilution to existing shareholders. The Company may not be successful in locating suitable financing transactions in the time period required or at all. A failure to raise capital when needed would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. Any future issuance of securities to raise required capital will likely be dilutive to existing shareholders. In addition, debt and other debt financing may involve a pledge of assets and may be senior to interests of equity holders. The Company may incur substantial costs in pursuing future capital requirements, including investment banking fees, legal fees, accounting fees, securities law compliance fees, printing and distribution expenses and other costs. The ability to obtain needed financing may be impaired by such factors as the capital markets (both generally and in the gold and copper industries in particular), the Company’s status as a new enterprise with a limited history, the location of the Company’s mineral properties, the price of commodities and/or the loss of key management personnel.
Permits and Government Regulation
The future operations of the Company may require permits from various federal, state, provincial and local governmental authorities and will be governed by laws and regulations governing prospecting, development, mining, production, export, taxes, labour standards, occupational health, waste disposal, land use, environmental protections, mine safety and other matters.
Although Canada has a favorable legal and fiscal regime for exploration and mining, including a relatively simple system for the acquisition of mineral titles and relatively low tax burden, possible future government legislation, policies and controls relating to prospecting, development, production, environmental protection, mining taxes and labour standards could cause additional expense, capital expenditures, restrictions and delays in the activities of the Company, the extent of which cannot be predicted.
Before development and production can commence on any properties, the Company must obtain regulatory and environmental approvals. There is no assurance that such approvals can be obtained on a timely basis or at all. The cost of compliance, with changes in governmental regulations, has the potential to reduce the profitability of operations. The Company is currently in compliance with all material regulations applicable to its exploration activities.
Limited Operating History
The Company has a limited operating history and its mineral properties are exploration stage properties. As such, the Company will be subject to all of the business risks and uncertainties associated with any new business enterprise, including under-capitalization, cash shortages, limitations with respect to personnel, financial and other resources and lack of revenues. The current state of the Company’s mineral properties require significant additional expenditures before any cash flow may be generated. Although the Company possesses an experienced management team, there is no assurance that the Company will be successful in achieving a return on shareholders’ investment and the likelihood of success of the Company must be considered in light of the problems, expenses, difficulties, complications and delays frequently encountered in connection with the establishment of any business.
- 48 -
AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
There is no assurance that the Company can generate revenues, operate profitably, or provide a return on investment, or that it will successfully implement its plans.
An investment in the Company’s securities carries a high degree of risk and should be considered speculative by purchasers. There is no assurance that we will be successful in achieving a return on shareholders’ investment and the likelihood of our success must be considered in light of our early stage of operations. You should consider any purchase of the Company’s securities in light of the risks, expenses and problems frequently encountered by all companies in the early stages of their corporate development.
Title Risks
Although the Company has or will receive title opinions for any properties in which it has a material interest, there is no guarantee that title to such properties will not be challenged or impugned. The Company has not conducted surveys on all of the claims in which it holds direct or indirect interests. The Company’s properties may be subject to prior unregistered agreements or transfers or native land claims and title may be affected by unidentified or unknown defects. Title insurance is generally not available for mineral properties and the Company's ability to ensure that it has obtained secure claims to individual mineral properties or mining concessions may be constrained. A successful challenge to the Company’s title to a property or to the precise area and location of a property could cause delays or stoppages to the Company’s exploration, development or operating activities without reimbursement to the Company. Any such delays or stoppages could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Laws and Regulation
The Company’s exploration activities are subject to extensive federal, provincial and local laws and regulations governing prospecting, development, production, exports, taxes, labour standards, occupational health and safety, mine safety and other matters in all the jurisdictions in which it operates. These laws and regulations are subject to change, can become more stringent and compliance can therefore become more costly. The Company applies the expertise of its management, advisors, employees and contractors to ensure compliance with current laws.
Uninsured and Underinsured Risks
The Company faces and will face various risks associated with mining exploration and the management and administration thereof Some of these risks are not insurable; some may be the subject of insurance which is not commercially feasible for the Company. Those insurances which are purchased will have exclusions and deductibles which may eliminate or restrict recovery in the event of loss. In some cases, the amount of insurance purchased may not be adequate in amount or in limit.
The Company will undertake intermittent assessments of insurable risk to help ensure that the impact of uninsured/underinsured loss is minimized within reason. Risks may vary from time to time within this intermittent period due to changes in such things as operations operating conditions, laws or the climate which may leave the Company exposed to periods of additional uninsured risk. In the event risk is uninsurable, at its reasonable and sole discretion, the Company may endeavor to implement policies and procedures, as may be applicable and/or feasible, to reduce the risk of related loss.
- 49 -
AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Public Health Crises such as the COVID-19 Pandemic
In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus known as COVID-19 surfaced in Wuhan, China and has spread around the world causing significant business and social disruption. COVID-19 was declared a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. The speed and extent of the spread of COVID-19 and the duration and intensity of resulting business disruption and related financial and social impact, are uncertain. Such adverse effects related to COVID-19 and other public health crises may be material to the Company. The impact of COVID-19 and efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 could severely impact the exploration and any development of the Queensway Project and the Company’s other mineral projects. To date, a number of governments have declared states of emergency and have implemented restrictive measures such as travel bans, quarantine and self-isolation. If the exploration and any development of the Queensway Project and other mineral projects is disrupted or suspended as a result of these or other measures, it may have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operations. COVID-19 and efforts to contain it may have broad impacts on the Company’s supply chain or the global economy, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position. While governmental agencies and private sector participants are seeking to mitigate the adverse effects of COVID-19, and the medical community is seeking to develop vaccines and other treatment options, the efficacy and timing of such measures is uncertain.
Global Economy Risk
The volatility of global capital markets over the past several years has generally made the raising of capital by equity or debt financing more difficult. The Company may be dependent upon capital markets to raise additional financing in the future. As such, the Company is subject to liquidity risks in meeting its operating expenditure requirements and future development cost requirements in instances where adequate cash positions are unable to be maintained or appropriate financing is unavailable. These factors may impact the ability to raise equity or obtain loans and other credit facilities in the future and on terms favourable to the Company and its management.
Our business, financial condition and results of operations may be negatively affected by economic and other consequences from Russia’s military action against Ukraine and the sanctions imposed in response to that action
In late February 2022, Russia launched a large scale military attack on Ukraine. The invasion significantly amplified already existing geopolitical tensions among Russia, Ukraine, Europe, NATO and the West, including Canada. In response to the military action by Russia, various countries, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and European Union issued broad-ranging economic sanctions against Russia. Such sanctions included, among other things, a prohibition on doing business with certain Russian companies, large financial institutions, officials and oligarchs; a commitment by certain countries and the European Union to remove selected Russian banks from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications, or SWIFT, the electronic banking network that connects banks globally; a ban of oil imports from Russia to the United States; and restrictive measures to prevent the Russian Central Bank from undermining the impact of the sanctions. Additional sanctions may be imposed in the future. Such sanctions (and any future sanctions) and other actions against Russia may adversely impact, among other things, the Russian economy and various sectors of the economy, including but not limited to, financials, energy, metals and mining, engineering and defense and defense-related materials sectors; result in a decline in the value and liquidity of Russian securities; result in boycotts, tariffs, and purchasing and financing restrictions on Russia’s government, companies and certain individuals; weaken the value of the ruble; downgrade the country’s credit rating; freeze Russian securities and/or funds invested in prohibited assets and impair the ability to trade in Russian securities and/or other assets; and have other adverse consequences on the Russian government, economy, companies and region. Further, several large corporations and U.S. states have announced plans to divest interests or otherwise curtail business dealings with certain Russian businesses.
- 50 -
AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
The ramifications of the hostilities and sanctions may not be limited to Russia, Ukraine and Russian and Ukrainian companies and may spill over to and negatively impact other regional and global economic markets (including Europe, Canada and the United States), companies in other countries (particularly those that have done business with Russia and Ukraine) and on various sectors, industries and markets for securities and commodities globally, such as oil and natural gas. Accordingly, the actions discussed above and the potential for a wider conflict could increase financial market volatility and cause severe negative effects on regional and global economic markets, industries, and companies. In addition, Russia may take retaliatory actions and other countermeasures, including cyberattacks and espionage against other countries and companies around the world, which may negatively impact such countries and companies.
The extent and duration of the military action or future escalation of such hostilities, the extent and impact of existing and future sanctions, market disruptions and volatility, and the result of any diplomatic negotiations cannot be predicted.
While we expect any direct impacts to our business to be limited, the indirect impacts on the economy and on the mining industry and other industries in general could negatively affect our business and may make it more difficult for us to raise equity or debt financing. In addition, the impact of other current macro-economic factors on our business, which may be exacerbated by the war in Ukraine – including inflation, supply chain constraints and geopolitical events – is uncertain. If these levels of volatility persist or if there is a further economic slowdown, the Company's operations, the Company's ability to raise capital could be adversely impacted.
In addition, the current outbreak of COVID-19, and any future emergence and spread of similar pathogens, could have a material adverse impact on global economic conditions, which may adversely impact: the Company’s operations, its ability to raise debt or equity financing for the purposes of mineral exploration and development, and the operations of the Company’s suppliers, contractors and service providers.
Environmental Risks
The Company’s activities are subject to extensive laws and regulations governing environment protection. The Company is also subject to various reclamation related conditions. Although the Company closely follows and believes it is operating in compliance with all applicable environmental regulations, there can be no assurance that all future requirements will be obtainable on reasonable terms. Failure to comply may result in enforcement actions causing operations to cease or be curtailed and may include corrective measures requiring capital expenditures. Intense lobbying over environmental concerns by non-governmental organizations has caused some governments to cancel or restrict development of mining projects. Current publicized concern over climate change may lead to carbon taxes, requirements for carbon offset purchases or new regulation. The costs or likelihood of such potential issues to the Company cannot be estimated at this time.
The legal framework governing this area is constantly developing, therefore the Company is unable to fully ascertain any future liability that may arise from the implementation of any new laws or regulations, although such laws and regulations are typically strict and may impose severe penalties (financial or otherwise). The proposed activities of the Company, as with any exploration, may have an environmental impact which may result in unbudgeted delays, damage, loss and other costs and obligations including, without limitation, rehabilitation and/or compensation. There is also a risk that the Company’s operations and financial position may be adversely affected by the actions of environmental groups or any other group or person opposed in general to the Company’s activities and, in particular, the proposed exploration and mining by the Company within the Provinces of Newfoundland and Ontario.
- 51 -
AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Social and Environmental Activism
There is an increasing level of public concern relating to the effects of mining on the nature landscape, in communities and on the environment. Certain non- governmental organizations, public interest groups and reporting organizations (“NGOs”) who oppose resource development can be vocal critics of the mining industry. In addition, there have been many instances in which local community groups have opposed resource extraction activities, which have resulted in disruption and delays to the relevant operation.
While the Company seeks to operate in a social responsible manner and believes it has good relationships with local communities in the regions in which it operates, NGOs or local community organizations could direct adverse publicity against and/or disrupt the operations of the Company in respect of one or more of its properties, regardless of its successful compliance with social and environmental best practices, due to political factors, activities of unrelated third parties on lands in which the Company has an interest or the Company’s operations specifically. Any such actions and the resulting media coverage could have an adverse effect on the reputation and financial condition of the Company or its relationships with the communities in which it operations, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or prospects.
Dependence on Management and Key Personnel
The success of the Company is currently largely dependent on the performance of its directors and officers. The loss of the services of any of these persons could have a materially adverse effect on the Company’s business and prospects. There is no assurance the Company can maintain the services of its directors, officers or other qualified personnel required to operate its business.
As the Company’s business activity grows, the Company will require additional key financial, administrative and mining personnel as well as additional operations staff. There can be no assurance that these efforts will be successful in attracting, training and retaining qualified personnel as competition for persons with these skill sets increase. If the Company is not successful in attracting, training and retaining qualified personnel, the efficiency of its operations could be impaired, which could have an adverse impact on the Company’s operations and financial condition. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic may cause the Company to have inadequate access to available skilled workforce and qualified personnel, which could have an adverse impact on the Company’s financial performance and financial condition.
First Nations Land Claims
Certain of the Company’s mineral properties may now or in the future be the subject of First Nations land claims. The legal nature of First Nations land claims is a matter of considerable complexity. The impact of any such claim on the Company’s material interest in the Company’s mineral properties and/or potential ownership interest in the Company’s mineral properties in the future, cannot be predicted with any degree of certainty and no assurance can be given that a broad recognition of First Nations rights in the areas in which the Company’s mineral properties are located, by way of negotiated settlements or judicial pronouncements, would not have an adverse effect on the Company’s activities. Even in the absence of such recognition, the Company may at some point be required to negotiate with and seek the approval of holders of First Nations interests in order to facilitate exploration and development work on the Company’s mineral properties, there is no assurance that the Company will be able to establish practical working relationships with the First Nations in the area which would allow it to ultimately develop the Company’s mineral properties.
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AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Claims and Legal Proceedings
The Company and/or its directors and officers may be subject to a variety of civil or other legal proceedings, with or without merit. From time to time in the ordinary course of its business, the Company may become involved in various legal proceedings, including commercial, employment and other litigation and claims, as well as governmental and other regulatory investigations and proceedings. Such matters can be time-consuming, divert management’s attention and resources and cause the Company to incur significant expenses. Furthermore, because litigation is inherently unpredictable, the results of any such actions may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, operating results or financial condition.
In July 2021, the Company responded to a claim by ThreeD Capital Inc. and 131366 Ontario Inc. with respect to a common share purchase by Palisades Goldcorp Ltd. of 17,500,000 common shares of the Company. The outcome of this lawsuit cannot be determined at this time and therefore no amount has been accrued for.
Conflicts of Interest
Most of the Company’s directors and officers do not devote their full time to the affairs of the Company. All of the directors and some of the officers of the Company are also directors, officers and shareholders of other natural resource or public companies, and as a result they may find themselves in a position where their duty to another company conflicts with their duty to the Company. Although the Company has policies which address such potential conflicts and the OBCA has provisions governing directors in the event of such a conflict, none of the Company’s constating documents or any of its other agreements contain any provisions mandating a procedure for addressing such conflicts of interest. There is no assurance that any such conflicts will be resolved in favour of the Company. If any such conflicts are not resolved in favour of the Company, the Company may be adversely affected.
Gold and Metal Prices
If the Company’s mineral properties are developed from exploration properties to full production properties, the majority of our revenue will be derived from the sale of gold. Therefore, the Company’s future profitability will depend upon the world market prices of the gold for which it is exploring. The price of gold and other metals are affected by numerous factors beyond the Company’s control, including levels of supply and demand, global or regional consumptive patterns, sales by government holders, metal stock levels maintained by producers and others, increased production due to new mine developments and improved mining and production methods, speculative activities related to the sale of metals, availability and costs of metal substitutes.
Moreover, gold prices are also affected by macroeconomic factors such as expectations regarding inflation, interest rates and global and regional demand for, and supply of, gold as well as general global economic conditions. These factors may have an adverse effect on the Company’s exploration, development and production activities, as well as on its ability to fund those activities. Additionally, the current COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to contain it, including restrictions on travel and other advisories issued may have a significant effect on gold prices.
Negative Cash Flow from Operating Activities
The Company has no history of earnings and had negative cash flow from operating activities since inception. The Company’s mineral properties are in the exploration stage and there are no known mineral resources or reserves and the proposed exploration programs on the Company’s mineral properties are exploratory in nature. Significant capital investment will be required to achieve commercial production from the Company’s existing projects.
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AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
There is no assurance that any of the Company’s mineral properties will generate earnings, operate profitably or provide a return on investment in the future. Accordingly, the Company will be required to obtain additional financing in order to meet its future cash commitments.
Going Concern Risk
The Company’s financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis under which an entity is considered to be able to realize its assets and satisfy its liabilities in the ordinary course of business. The Company’s future operations are dependent upon the identification and successful completion of equity or debt financings and the achievement of profitable operations at an indeterminate time in the future. There can be no assurances that the Company will be successful in completing equity or debt financings or in achieving profitability. The financial statements do not give effect to any adjustments relating to the carrying values and classifications of assets and liabilities that would be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
Risks Associated with Acquisitions
If appropriate opportunities present themselves, the Company may acquire mineral claims, material interests in other mineral claims, and companies that the Company believes are strategic. The Company currently has no understandings, commitments or agreements with respect to any material acquisition, other than as described in this MD&A, and no other material acquisition is currently being pursued. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to identify, negotiate or finance future acquisitions successfully, or to integrate such acquisitions with its current business. The process of integrating an acquired Company or mineral claims into the Company may result in unforeseen operating difficulties and expenditures and may absorb significant management attention that would otherwise be available for ongoing development of the Company’s business. Future acquisitions could result in potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities, the incurrence of debt, contingent liabilities and/or amortization expenses related to goodwill and other intangible assets, which could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.
Force Majeure
The Company’s projects now or in the future may be adversely affected by risks outside the control of the Company, including the price of gold on world markets, labour unrest, civil disorder, war, subversive activities or sabotage, fires, floods, explosions or other catastrophes, pandemics, epidemics or quarantine restrictions.
Infrastructure
Exploration, development and processing activities depend, to one degree or another, on adequate infrastructure. Reliable roads, bridges, power sources and water supply are important elements of infrastructure, which affect access, capital and operating costs. The lack of availability on acceptable terms or the delay in the availability of any one or more of these items could prevent or delay exploration or development of the Company’s mineral properties. If adequate infrastructure is not available in a timely manner, there can be no assurance that the exploration or development of the Company’s mineral properties will be commenced or completed on a timely basis, if at all. Furthermore, unusual or infrequent weather phenomena, sabotage, government or other interference in the maintenance or provision of necessary infrastructure could adversely affect our operations.
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AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Exploration operations depend on adequate infrastructure. In particular, reliable power sources, water supply, transportation and surface facilities are necessary to explore and develop mineral projects. Failure to adequately meet these infrastructure requirements or changes in the cost of such requirements could affect the Company’s ability to carry out exploration and future development operations and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or prospects.
Climate Change Risks
The Company acknowledges climate change as an international and community concern and it supports and endorses various initiatives for voluntary actions consistent with international initiatives on climate change. However, in addition to voluntary actions, governments are moving to introduce climate change legislation and treaties at the international, national, state/provincial and local levels. Where legislation already exists, regulation relating to emission levels and energy efficiency is becoming more stringent. Some of the costs associated with reducing emissions can be offset by increased energy efficiency and technological innovation. However, if the current regulatory trend continues, the Company expects that this could result in increased costs at some of its operations in the future.
The Company and the mining industry are facing continued geotechnical challenges, which could adversely impact the Company’s production and profitability. Unanticipated adverse geotechnical and hydrological conditions, such as landslides, floods, seismic activity, droughts and pit wall failures, may occur in the future and such events may not be detected in advance. Geotechnical instabilities and adverse climatic conditions can be difficult to predict and are often affected by risks and hazards outside of the Company’s control, such as severe weather and considerable rainfall. Geotechnical failures could result in limited or restricted access to mine sites, suspension of operations, government investigations, increased monitoring costs, remediation costs, loss of ore and other impacts, which could cause one or more of the Company’s projects to be less profitable than currently anticipated and could result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s business results of operations and financial position.
Information Systems and Cyber Security
The Company’s operations depend on information technology (“IT”) systems. These IT systems could be subject to network disruptions caused by a variety of sources, including computer viruses, security breaches and cyber-attacks, as well as disruptions resulting from incidents such as cable cuts, damage to physical plants, natural disasters, terrorism, fire, power loss, vandalism and theft. The Company’s operations also depend on the timely maintenance, upgrade and replacement of networks, equipment, IT systems and software, as well as pre-emptive expenses to mitigate the risks of failures. Any of these and other events could result in information system failures, delays and/or increase in capital expenses. The failure of information systems or a component of information systems could, depending on the nature of any such failure, adversely impact the Company’s reputation and results of operations. Although to date the Company has not experienced any material losses relating to cyber-attacks or other information security breaches, there can be no assurance that the Company will not incur such losses in the future. The Company’s risk and exposure to these matters cannot be fully mitigated because of, among other things, the evolving nature of these threats. As a result, cyber security and the continued development and enhancement of controls, processes and practices designed to protect systems, computers, software, data and networks from attack, damage or unauthorized access remain a priority. As cyber threats continue to evolve, the Company may be required to expend additional resources to continue to modify or enhance protective measures or to investigate and remediate any security vulnerabilities.
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AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The Company prepares its financial statements in accordance with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Actual outcomes could differ from these estimates.
The financial statements include estimates which, by their nature, are uncertain. The impacts of such estimates are pervasive throughout the financial statements, and may require accounting adjustments based on future occurrences. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimate is revised and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods. These estimates are based on historical experience, current and future economic conditions and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
Significant assumptions about the future and other sources of estimation uncertainty that management has made at year end that could result in a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities, in the event that actual results differ from assumptions made, relate to the following:
(i) | Critical accounting estimates |
Valuation of Options Granted and Warrants Issued
The fair value of common share purchase options granted and warrants issued is determined at the issue date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Black-Scholes model involves six key inputs to determine the fair value of an option, which are: risk-free interest rate, exercise price, market price at the grant date, expected dividend yield, expected life, and expected volatility. Certain of the inputs are estimates that involve considerable judgment and are or could be affected by significant factors that are out of the Company’s control. The Company is also required to estimate the future forfeiture rate of options based on historical information in its calculation of share-based payments expense. These estimates impact the values of stock-based compensation expense, share capital, and reserves.
Fair Value of Financial Derivatives
Investments in warrants that are not traded on a recognized securities exchange do not have a readily available market value. When there are sufficient and reliable market inputs, a Black-Scholes option pricing model is used. The Black-Scholes model involves six key inputs to determine the fair value of a warrant, which include: risk free interest rate, exercise price, market price at the grant date, expected dividend yield, expected life, and expected volatility. Certain of the inputs are estimates that involve considerable judgment and are or could be affected by significant factors that are out of the Company’s control.
Fair Value of Investments in Private Companies
The determination of fair value requires judgment and is based on market information, where available and appropriate. All privately-held investments are initially recorded at the transaction price, being the fair value at the time of acquisition. Thereafter, at each reporting period, the fair value of an investment may be adjusted using one or more of the valuation indicators described below.
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AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Company-specific information is considered when determining whether the fair value of a privately-held investment should be adjusted upward or downward at the end of each reporting period. In addition to company-specific information, the Company will take into account trends in general market conditions and the share performance of comparable publicly-traded companies when valuing privately-held investments.
The absence of the occurrence of any of these events, any significant change in trends in general market conditions, or any significant change in share performance of comparable publicly-traded companies indicates generally that the fair value of the investment has not materially changed.
Computation of Income Taxes
The determination of tax expense for the period and deferred tax assets and liabilities involves significant estimation and judgment by management. In determining these amounts, management interprets tax legislation in a variety of jurisdictions and make estimates of the expected timing of the reversal of deferred tax assets and liabilities. Management also makes estimates of future earnings which affect the extent to which potential future tax benefits may be used.
The Company is subject to assessments by taxation authorities, which may interpret legislation differently. These differences may affect the final amount or the timing of the payment of taxes. We provide for such differences where known based on our best estimate of the probable outcome of these matters.
Shares Issued to Acquire Exploration and Evaluation Assets
From time to time, the Company issues common shares in the course of acquiring exploration and evaluation assets. When shares are issued without cash consideration, the transaction is recognized at the fair value of the assets received. In the event that the fair value of the assets cannot be reliably determined, the Company will recognize the transaction at the fair value of the shares issued. These estimates impact the value of share capital and exploration and evaluation assets.
Valuation of flow-through premium
The determination of the valuation of flow-through premium and warrants in equity units is subject to significant judgment and estimates. The flow- through premium is valued as the estimated premium that investors pay for the flow-through feature, being the portion in excess of the market value of shares without the flow-through feature issued in concurrent private placement financing.
(ii) | Critical accounting judgments |
Impairment of Exploration and Evaluation Assets
Management is required to assess impairment in respect to the Company’s intangible mineral property interests. The triggering events are defined in IFRS 6. In making the assessment, management is required to make judgments on the status of each project and the future plans towards finding commercial reserves. The carrying value of each exploration and evaluation asset is reviewed regularly for conditions that may suggest impairment. This review requires significant judgment.
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AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Factors considered in the assessment of asset impairment include, but are not limited to, whether there has been a significant adverse change in the legal, regulatory, accessibility, title, environmental or political factors that could affect the property’s value; whether there has been an accumulation of costs significantly in excess of the amounts originally expected for the property’s acquisition, development or cost of holding; and whether exploration activities produced results that are not promising such that no more work is being planned in the foreseeable future. If impairment is determined to exist, a formal estimate of the recoverable amount is performed and an impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount. Management has determined that there were indicators of impairment as at December 31, 2021 and has impaired $28,604 (December 31, 2020 - $166,662) in exploration and evaluation assets.
Financial Risk Management
The Company is exposed in varying degrees to a variety of financial instrument related risks. The Board approves and monitors the risk management processes.
Credit Risk
Credit risk is the risk that one party to a financial instrument will fail to discharge an obligation and cause the other party to incur a financial loss. The Company does not have financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to credit risk. Overall the Company’s credit risk has not changed significantly from the prior year. Sales taxes recoverable are due from the Canada Revenue Agency and the Company places its cash with financial institutions with high credit ratings, therefore in management’s judgment, credit risk is low.
Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Company has in place a planning and budgeting process to help determine the funds required to ensure the Company has the appropriate liquidity to meet its operating and growth objectives. The Company has historically relied on issuance of shares to fund exploration programs and may require doing so again in the future. As at December 31, 2021, the Company has total liabilities of $25,403,246 and cash of $100,484,576 which is available to discharge these liabilities (December 31, 2020 – total liabilities of $635,083 and cash of $47,731,125). Accordingly, in management’s judgment, liquidity risk is low.
There have been no changes in management’s methods for managing liquidity risk during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Market Risk
Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices, such as commodity prices, interest rates and foreign exchange rates will affect the Company’s net earnings or the value of financial instruments. The objective of the Company is to manage and mitigate market risk exposures within acceptable limits, while maximizing returns.
(i) | Currency Risk |
Financial instruments that impact the Company’s net earnings or other comprehensive income due to currency fluctuation include cash accounts denominated in US dollars and investments denominated in Australian dollars. Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the US dollar and the Canadian dollar, and the Australian dollar and the Canadian dollar at December 31, 2021 would not have a material impact on the Company’s net earnings and other comprehensive income.
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AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
(ii) | Interest Rate Risk |
Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate due to changes in market interest rates. As the Company deposits its short-term investments into fixed rate guaranteed investment certificates with one year maturities or less, the Company is not exposed to interest rate risk.
(iii) | Commodity Price risk |
Commodity price risk is defined as the potential adverse impact on earnings and economic value due to commodity price movements and volatilities. The Company’s property has exposure to predominantly gold. Commodity prices, especially gold, greatly affect the value of the Company and the potential value of its property and investments.
(iv) | Equity Price Risk |
Equity price risk is the risk that the fair value of or future cash flows from the Company’s financial instruments will significantly fluctuate because of changes in market prices. The Company is exposed to market risk in trading its investments in unfavorable market conditions which could result in dispositions of investments at less than favorable prices. Additionally, the Company adjusts its investments to fair value at the end of each reporting period. This process could result in write-downs of the Company’s investments over one or more reporting periods, particularly during periods of overall market instability. The sensitivity of the Company’s net income (loss) to changes in market prices at December 31, 2021 would change the Company’s net income (loss) by $3,194,245 as a result of a 10% change in the market price of its investments.
There have been no changes in management’s methods for managing market risks during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Capital management
The Company’s objectives when managing capital are:
● | To safeguard our ability to continue as a going concern in order to develop and operate our current projects; |
● | Pursue strategic growth initiatives; and |
● | To maintain a flexible capital structure which lowers the cost of capital. |
In assessing our capital structure, we include in our assessment the components of equity consisting of common shares, stock options and warrants, and deficit that as at December 31, 2021 totalled $122,654,601 (December 31, 2020 - $72,901,845). In order to facilitate the management of capital requirements, the Company prepares annual expenditure budgets and continuously monitors and reviews actual and forecasted cash flows. The annual and updated budgets are monitored and approved by the Board of Directors. To maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Company may, from time to time, issue new shares, issue new debt, repay debt or dispose of non-core assets. The Company’s current capital resources are sufficient to carry out our exploration plans and support operations through the current operating period.
The Company is not subject to any capital requirements imposed by a regulator.
There were no changes in the Company’s approach to capital management during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
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AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company’s management, with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon the results of that evaluation, the Company’s CEO and CFO have concluded that, as of December 31, 2021, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports it files is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the appropriate time periods and is accumulated and communicated to management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The Company’s management, with the participation of its CEO and CFO, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as such term is defined in the rules of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian Securities Administrators. The Company’s 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 IFRS as issued by the IASB. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that:
● | maintain records that accurately and fairly reflect, in reasonable detail, the transactions and dispositions of assets of the Company; |
● | provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary for preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS as issued by IASB; |
● | provide reasonable assurance that the Company’s receipts and expenditures are made only in accordance with authorizations of management and the Company’s Directors; and |
● | 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 Company’s financial statements. |
The Company’s internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect all misstatements because of inherent limitations. Additionally, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness for future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with the Company’s policies and procedures.
The Company’s management has determined that there have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the year ended December 31, 2021, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
The Company's management evaluated the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting based upon the criteria set forth in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on management's evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting were effective as of December 31, 2021.
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AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Limitations of Controls and Procedures
The Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, believes that any disclosure controls and procedures or internal control over financial reporting, no matter how well conceived and operated, may not prevent or detect all misstatements because of inherent limitations. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, they cannot provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been prevented or detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by unauthorized override of the control. The design of any control system also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Accordingly, because of the inherent limitations in a cost effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
Cautionary Notes Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This MD&A contains forward looking statements which reflect management's expectations regarding the Company’s future growth, results from operations (including, without limitation, statements about the Company’s opportunities, strategies, competition, expected activities and expenditures as the Company pursues its business plan, the adequacy of the Company’s available cash resources and other statements about future events or results), performance (both operational and financial) and business prospects, future business plans and opportunities. Wherever possible, words such as “predicts”, “projects”, “targets”, “plans”, “expects”, “does not expect”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “anticipate” or “does not anticipate”, “believe”, “intend” and similar expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative or grammatical variation thereof or other variations thereof, or comparable terminology have been used to identify forward-looking statements. These forward- looking statements include, among other things, statements relating to; the Queensway Project and the Company’s planned and future exploration on the Queensway Project and its other mineral properties; the Company’s goals regarding exploration and potential development of its projects; the Company’s future business plans; expectations regarding the ability to raise further capital; the market price of gold; expectations regarding any environmental issues that may affect planned or future exploration and development programs and the potential impact of complying with existing and proposed environmental laws and regulations; the ability to retain and/or maintain any require permits, licenses or other necessary approvals for the exploration or development of its mineral properties; government regulation of mineral exploration and development operations in the Provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador and Ontario; the Company’s compensation policy and practices; the Company’s expected reliance on key management personnel, advisors and consultants; effects of the novel COVID-19 outbreak as a global pandemic.
Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management in light of management’s experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances.
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AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
As of the date of this MD&A, without limitation, assumptions about: the ability to raise any necessary additional capital on reasonable terms to advance exploration and development of the Company’s mineral properties; future prices of gold and other metal prices; the timing and results of exploration and drilling programs; the demand for, and price of gold; that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner; the Company’s ability to procure equipment and operating supplies in sufficient quantities and on a timely basis; the geology of the Queensway Project as described in the Queensway Technical Report; the accuracy of budgeted exploration and development costs and expenditures; future currency exchange rates and interest rates; operating conditions being favourable such that the Company is able to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner; the Company’s ability to attract and retain skilled personnel; political and regulatory stability; the receipt of governmental, regulatory and third-party approvals, licenses and permits on favourable terms; obtaining required renewals for existing approvals, licenses and permits on favourable terms; requirements under applicable laws; sustained labour stability; stability in financial and capital goods markets; expectations regarding the level of disruption to exploration at the Queensway Project as a result of COVID 19; availability of equipment. Furthermore, such forward-looking information involves a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, without limitation: the Company may fail to find a commercially viable deposit at any of its mineral properties; there are no resources or mineral reserves on any of the properties in which the Company has an interest; the Company’s plans may be adversely affected by the Company’s reliance on historical data compiled by previous parties involved with its mineral properties; mineral exploration and development are inherently risky; the mineral exploration industry is intensely competitive; additional financing may not be available to the Company when required or, if available, the terms of such financing may not be favourable to the Company; fluctuations in the demand for gold; the Company may not be able to identify, negotiate or finance any future acquisitions successfully, or to integrate such acquisitions with its current business; the Company’s exploration activities are dependent upon the grant of appropriate licenses, concessions, leases, permits and regulatory consents, which may be withdrawn or not granted; the Company’s operations could be adversely affected by possible future government legislation, policies and controls or by changes in applicable laws and regulations; there is no guarantee that title to the properties in which the Company has a material interest will not be challenged or impugned; the Company faces various risks associated with mining exploration that are not insurable or may be the subject of insurance which is not commercially feasible for the Company; public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic may adversely impact the Company’s business; the volatility of global capital markets over the past several years has generally made the raising of capital more difficult; compliance with environmental regulations can be costly; social and environmental activism can negatively impact exploration, development and mining activities; the success of the Company is largely dependent on the performance of its directors and officers; the Company’s operations may be adversely affected by First Nations land claims; the Company and/or its directors and officers may be subject to a variety of legal proceedings, the results of which may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business; the Company may be adversely affected if potential conflicts of interests involving its directors and officers are not resolved in favour of the Company; the Company’s future profitability may depend upon the world market prices of gold; there is no existing public market for the Company’s securities and an active and liquid one may never develop, which could impact the liquidity of the Company’s securities; dilution from future equity financing could negatively impact holders of the Company’s securities; failure to adequately meet infrastructure requirements could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business; the Company’s projects now or in the future may be adversely affected by risks outside the control of the Company; the Company is subject to various risks associated with climate change; other factors discussed under “Risk and Uncertainties”.
Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events, conditions, results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events, conditions, results, performance or achievements to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended.
The Company cautions that the foregoing lists of important assumptions and factors are not exhaustive. Other events or circumstances could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated or projected and expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements contained herein. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
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AMENDED | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 | |
Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this MD&A and the Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as and to the extent required by applicable securities laws.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company does not utilize off-balance sheet arrangements.
Proposed Transactions
There are no proposed transactions at the date of this report.
Additional Information
Additional information relating to the Company is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
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Exhibit 99.3
Crowe MacKay LLP
1100 – 1177 West Hastings Street Vancouver, BC V6E 4T5
Main +1 (604) 687-4511
Fax +1 (604) 687-5805 www.crowemackay.ca
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of New Found Gold Corp.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statements of financial position of New Found Gold Corp. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related statements of loss and comprehensive loss and cash flows and equity for the years then ended, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. 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 audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit, 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 audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Crowe MacKay LLP
Chartered Professional Accountants
Vancouver, Canada
March 10, 2022
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2020.
New Found Gold Corp.
Statements of Financial Position
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
NATURE OF OPERATIONS (Note 1)
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCY (Note 15)
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Note 18)
These financial statements are authorized for issue by the Board of Directors on March 10, 2022. They are signed on the Company’s behalf by:
“Collin Kettell” |
| , Director |
|
“John Anderson” | , Director |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
-1-
New Found Gold Corp.
Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Year ended December 31, | |||||||
|
| 2021 |
| 2020 | |||
Note | $ | $ | |||||
Expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Corporate development and investor relations |
|
|
| 1,306,045 |
| 758,421 | |
Depreciation |
| 4,8 |
| 582,930 |
| 129,957 | |
Exploration and evaluation expenditures |
| 3,10 |
| 42,271,457 |
| 8,107,439 | |
Office and sundry |
|
|
| 469,476 |
| 105,067 | |
Professional fees |
| 10 |
| 955,337 |
| 677,243 | |
Salaries and consulting |
| 10 |
| 3,100,723 |
| 1,948,113 | |
Share-based compensation |
| 9,10 |
| 7,612,214 |
| 26,457,335 | |
Transfer agent and regulatory fees |
|
|
| 260,159 |
| 91,487 | |
Travel |
|
|
| 103,871 |
| 72,226 | |
Loss from operating activities |
|
|
| (56,662,212) |
| (38,347,288) | |
Settlement of flow-through share premium |
| 7 |
| 6,617,730 |
| 1,772,188 | |
Foreign exchange (loss) |
|
|
| 2,453 |
| (12,214) | |
Gain on sale of exploration and evaluation assets |
| 3 |
| 499,415 |
| 4,384,953 | |
Impairment of exploration and evaluation assets |
| 3 |
| (28,604) |
| (166,662) | |
Interest expense |
|
|
| (7,493) |
| (3,544) | |
Interest income |
|
|
| 122,714 |
| 61,882 | |
Net realized gains on disposal of investments |
| 5 |
| 192,114 |
| — | |
Net change in unrealized (losses) on investments |
| 5 |
| (1,376,192) |
| (223,754) | |
Loss and comprehensive loss for the year |
|
|
| (50,640,075) |
| (32,534,439) | |
Loss per share – basic and diluted ($) |
| 11 |
| (0.33) |
| (0.29) | |
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic and diluted |
|
|
| 154,949,075 |
| 112,657,850 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
-2-
New Found Gold Corp.
Statements of Cash Flows
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Year ended December 31, | |||||
| 2021 |
| 2020 | ||
$ | $ | ||||
Cash flows from operating activities |
|
|
|
| |
Loss for the year |
| (50,640,075) |
| (32,534,439) | |
Adjustments for: |
|
|
|
| |
Depreciation |
| 582,930 |
| 129,957 | |
(Gain) on sale of exploration and evaluation assets |
| (499,415) |
| (4,384,953) | |
Impairment of exploration and evaluation assets |
| 28,604 |
| 166,662 | |
Interest expense |
| 7,493 |
| 3,544 | |
Settlement of flow-through share premium |
| (6,617,730) |
| (1,772,188) | |
Share-based compensation |
| 7,612,214 |
| 26,457,335 | |
Net realized gains on disposal of investments |
| (192,114) |
| — | |
Net change in unrealized losses on investments |
| 1,376,192 |
| 223,754 | |
| (48,341,901) |
| (11,710,328) | ||
Change in non-cash working capital items: |
|
|
|
| |
Decrease in amounts receivable |
| 2,837 |
| 43,248 | |
(Increase) in prepaid expenses and deposits |
| (920,854) |
| (821,767) | |
(Increase) in other assets | (107,211) | — | |||
(Increase) in sales taxes recoverable |
| (782,813) |
| (733,294) | |
Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
| 1,637,860 |
| 3,602 | |
Net cash used in operating activities |
| (48,512,082) |
| (13,218,539) | |
Cash flows used in investing activities |
|
|
|
| |
Purchases of exploration and evaluation assets |
| (3,938,898) |
| (100,000) | |
Expenditures on claims staking and mineral license renewals |
| (111,130) |
| (42,930) | |
Proceeds on disposal of investments |
| 1,313,462 |
| — | |
Purchases of investments | (12,850,001) | — | |||
Purchases of property and equipment |
| (1,484,104) |
| (1,446,440) | |
Net cash used in investing activities |
| (17,070,671) |
| (1,589,370) | |
Cash flows from financing activities |
|
|
|
| |
Issuance of common shares in initial public offering |
| — |
| 31,395,000 | |
Issuance of common shares in private placements |
| 120,501,665 |
| 7,118,196 | |
Share issue costs |
| (4,457,654) |
| (3,032,606) | |
Stock options exercised |
| 1,236,170 |
| 7,036,624 | |
Warrants exercised |
| 1,156,523 |
| 12,721,057 | |
Lease payments |
| (93,984) |
| (32,331) | |
Interest expense on lease liabilities |
| (6,516) |
| (3,544) | |
Net cash generated from financing activities |
| 118,336,204 |
| 55,202,396 | |
Net increase in cash |
| 52,753,451 |
| 40,394,487 | |
Cash at beginning of year |
| 47,731,125 |
| 7,336,638 | |
Cash at end of year |
| 100,484,576 |
| 47,731,125 |
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE WITH RESPECT TO CASH FLOWS (Note 12)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
-3-
New Found Gold Corp.
Statements of Changes in Equity
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Share capital | Reserves |
| ||||||||||
Equity | ||||||||||||
settled | ||||||||||||
share-based | Total | |||||||||||
Number of | Amount | payments | Warrants | Deficit | equity | |||||||
| shares |
| $ |
| $ |
| $ |
| $ |
| $ | |
Balance at December 31, 2019 |
| 78,924,249 |
| 10,735,862 | 2,415,009 |
| 2,252,458 |
| (6,441,142) |
| 8,962,187 | |
Shares issued in initial public offering |
| 24,150,000 | 31,395,000 | — | — |
| — |
| 31,395,000 | |||
Shares issued in private placements |
| 15,000,000 | 16,736,110 | — | — |
| — |
| 16,736,110 | |||
Flow-through shares issued in private placements |
| 4,860,982 | 7,118,196 | — | — |
| — |
| 7,118,196 | |||
Share issue costs |
| — | (3,032,606) | — | — |
| — |
| (3,032,606) | |||
Agents’ warrants issued |
| — | (813,952) | — | 813,952 |
| — |
| — | |||
Flow-through share premium |
| — | (1,957,619) | — | — |
| — |
| (1,957,619) | |||
Share-based compensation |
| — | — | 26,457,335 | — |
| — |
| 26,457,335 | |||
Stock options exercised |
| 9,195,000 | 12,204,631 | (5,168,007) | — |
| — |
| 7,036,624 | |||
Warrants exercised |
| 16,554,292 | 15,283,142 | — | (2,562,085) |
| — |
| 12,721,057 | |||
Total comprehensive loss for the year |
| — | — | — | — |
| (32,534,439) |
| (32,534,439) | |||
Balance at December 31, 2020 |
| 148,684,523 | 87,668,764 | 23,704,337 | 504,325 |
| (38,975,581) |
| 72,901,845 | |||
Issued pursuant to acquisition of exploration and evaluation assets |
| 458,823 | 3,505,408 | — | — |
| — |
| 3,505,408 | |||
Flow-through shares issued in private placements | 12,905,500 | 120,501,665 | — | — | — | 120,501,665 | ||||||
Share issue costs | — | (4,457,654) | — | — | — | (4,457,654) | ||||||
Flow-through share premium | — | (29,161,495) | — | — | — | (29,161,495) | ||||||
Share-based compensation |
| — | — | 7,612,214 | — |
| — |
| 7,612,214 | |||
Stock options exercised |
| 1,273,000 | 2,096,982 | (860,812) | — |
| — |
| 1,236,170 | |||
Warrants exercised | 883,854 | 1,641,823 | — | (485,300) | — | 1,156,523 | ||||||
Total comprehensive loss for the year |
| — | — | — | — |
| (50,640,075) |
| (50,640,075) | |||
Balance at December 31, 2021 |
| 164,205,700 | 181,795,493 | 30,455,739 | 19,025 |
| (89,615,656) |
| 122,654,601 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
-4-
New Found Gold Corp.
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars Unless Otherwise Noted)
1. | NATURE OF OPERATIONS |
New Found Gold Corp. (the “Company”) was incorporated on January 6, 2016, under the Business Corporations Act in the Province of Ontario. On June 23, 2020, the Company continued as a British Columbia corporation under the Business Corporations Act in the Province of British Columbia. The Company’s registered office is located at Suite 2600 – 595 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V7X 1L3.
The Company is a mineral exploration company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and evaluation of resource properties with a focus on gold properties located in the Provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador and Ontario, Canada. The Company’s exploration and evaluation assets presently have no proven or probable reserves, and on the basis of information to date, it has not yet determined whether these properties contain economically recoverable resources. The recoverability of amounts shown for exploration and evaluation assets are dependent upon the existence of economically recoverable reserves, the ability of the Company to obtain necessary financing to complete the development of those reserves and upon future profitable production.
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the global outbreak of a novel coronavirus identified as “COVID-19” a global pandemic. In order to combat the spread of COVID-19, governments worldwide have enacted emergency measures including travel bans, legally enforced or self-imposed quarantine periods, social distancing and business and organization closures. These measures have caused material disruptions to businesses, governments and other organizations resulting in an economic slowdown and increased volatility in national and global equity and commodity markets. Central banks and governments, including Canadian federal and provincial governments, have reacted with significant monetary and fiscal interventions designed to stabilize economic conditions. The duration and impact of the COVID-19 outbreak is unknown at this time, as is the efficacy of any interventions. Significant economic and social impacts have limited the Company’s ability to continue its exploration and evaluation activities as intended. It is not possible to reliably estimate the length and severity of these developments and the impact on the financial results and condition of the Company and its operations in future periods.
These financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors of the Company on March 10, 2022.
2. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below.
a) | Statement of compliance |
The Company’s financial statements, including comparatives, have been prepared in accordance with and using accounting policies in compliance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”), effective for the Company’s reporting for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
b) | Basis of presentation |
These financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis except for financial instruments classified as subsequently measured at fair value. In addition, these financial statements have been prepared using the accrual basis of accounting, except for cash flow information.
c) | Foreign currencies |
The presentation and functional currency of the Company is the Canadian dollar. Transactions in currencies other than the Canadian dollar are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the dates of transactions. At the end of each reporting period, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rates prevailing at that date. Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are not retranslated.
-5-
New Found Gold Corp.
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars Unless Otherwise Noted)
2. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) |
d) | Exploration, evaluation and development expenditures |
Costs incurred before the Company has obtained the legal right to explore are expensed as incurred. Once the legal right to explore has been acquired, the Company capitalizes the costs of acquiring rights or licenses, including those purchased from other parties or staked directly by the Company, until such time as the lease expires, it is abandoned, sold or considered impaired in value. Indirect administrative costs and costs of surveying, exploratory drilling, sampling, materials, fuel, equipment rentals or payments to contractors are expensed as incurred.
Exploration and evaluation properties are not amortized during the exploration and evaluation stage.
The Company does not have revenue from mining operations. The Company recognizes gains or losses on the sale of exploration and evaluation assets in accordance with the terms of the purchase and sale agreements. Gains or losses are recognized when a mining option is executed and the cost is derecognized in accordance with the percentage interest sold.
At each reporting date the carrying amounts of the Company’s exploration and evaluation assets are reviewed to determine whether there is any indication that those assets are impaired. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment, if any. The recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. If the recoverable amount of an asset is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its recoverable amount and the impairment loss is recognized in profit or loss for the period.
For the purposes of impairment testing, exploration and evaluation assets are allocated to cash generating units (“CGU”) to which the exploration activity relates. Each of the Company’s properties is considered to be a separate CGU. Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or CGU) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but only to the extent that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognized for the asset (or CGU) in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognized immediately in profit or loss.
e) | Cash and cash equivalents |
Cash and cash equivalents include short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value. The Company does not have any cash equivalents as at December 31, 2021 and 2020.
f) | Decommissioning liabilities |
The Company recognizes liabilities for statutory, contractual, constructive or legal obligations associated with the retirement of exploration and evaluation assets and equipment when those obligations result from the acquisition, construction, development or normal operation of assets. The net present value of future rehabilitation costs is capitalized to exploration and evaluation assets along with a corresponding increase in the rehabilitation provision in the period incurred.
Pre-tax discount rates that reflect the time value of money are used to calculate the net present value. The rehabilitation asset is depreciated on the same basis as exploration and evaluation assets. The Company’s estimates of reclamation costs could change as a result of changes in regulatory requirements, discount rates and assumptions regarding the amount and timing of the future expenditures. These changes are recorded directly to exploration and evaluation assets and the rehabilitation provision. The Company’s estimates are reviewed annually for changes in regulatory requirements, discount rates, effects of inflation and changes in estimates. Changes in the net present value, excluding changes in the Company’s estimates of reclamation costs, are charged to profit or loss for the period. There are no decommissioning liabilities for the periods presented.
-6-
New Found Gold Corp.
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars Unless Otherwise Noted)
2. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) |
g) | Property, plant and equipment |
Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of 25 years for Property & Buildings, 2 years for Geological Equipment, 2 years for Computer Equipment, and 3 years for Vehicles. Depreciation of an asset begins once it is available for use.
Long-lived assets are comprised of property, plant and equipment. At the end of each reporting period the carrying amounts of the Company’s long-lived assets are reviewed to determine whether there is any indication that those assets are impaired. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment, if any. The recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use.
Fair value is determined as the amount that would be obtained by the sale of the asset in any arm’s length transaction between knowledgeable and willing parties. Fair value of mineral assets is generally determined as the present value of the estimated cash flows expected to arise from the continued use of the asset, including an expansion projects. Value in use is determined as the present value of the estimated future cash flows expected to arise from the continued use of the asset in its present form and from its ultimate disposal.
Impairment is assessed at the CGU level, which is identified as the smallest identifiable group of assets that generates cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets.
Non-financial assets that have been impaired are tested for possible reversal of the impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the impairment may have reversed. When a reversal of a previous impairment is recorded, the reversal amount is adjusted for depreciation that would have been recorded had the impairment not taken place.
h) | Leases |
The Company recognizes assets and liabilities for all leases unless the lease term is 12 months or less or the underlying asset has a low value.
The Company, as a lessee, has recognized right-of-use assets representing its rights to use the underlying assets and lease liabilities representing its obligation to make lease payments for the lease agreements entered after the transition date which are not short term or low value leases. The right-of-use asset is measured at cost, which is equal to the initial lease liability adjusted for any lease payments at or before the commencement date, less any lease incentives received. It is subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses and adjusted for re-measurements of the lease liability. Right-of-use assets are depreciated over the term of the lease.
A lease liability is measured at the present value of remaining lease payments, discounted at the Company’s incremental borrowing rate. It is subsequently increased by the interest cost on the lease liability, less the lease payments made. Lease liabilities are re-measured when there is a change in future lease payments arising from a change in an index or rate, a change in the estimate of the amount expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee, or in the assessment of whether an extension option is reasonably certain to be exercised. The Company’s estimated weighted average incremental borrowing rate for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 is 12%.
-7-
New Found Gold Corp.
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars Unless Otherwise Noted)
2. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) |
i) | Share-based payment transactions |
Share-based payments to employees are measured at the fair value of the instruments issued and amortized over the vesting periods. Share-based payments to non-employees are measured at the fair value of the goods or services received or the fair value of the equity instruments issued if it is determined the fair value of the goods or services cannot be reliably measured, and are recorded at the date the goods or services are received. The amount recognized as an expense is adjusted to reflect the number of awards expected to vest. The offset to the recorded cost is to equity settled share-based payments reserve.
Consideration received on the exercise of stock options is recorded as share capital and the related equity settled share-based payments reserve is transferred to share capital. Charges for options that are forfeited/cancelled before vesting are transferred from equity settled share-based payment reserve to deficit. Charges for options that are expired remain in equity settled share-based payment reserve.
Where the terms and conditions of options are modified before they vest, the changes in fair value of the options, measured immediately before and after the modification, is also charged to profit or loss over the remaining vesting period.
j) | Valuation of equity units issued in private placements |
The Company follows the pro-rata allocation method with respect to the measurement of shares and warrants issued as private placement units. This values each component at fair value and allocates total proceeds received between shares and warrants based on the pro rata relative values of the components. The fair value of the common shares is based on the closing quoted bid price on the issue date and the fair value of the common share purchase warrants is determined at the issue date using the Black- Scholes pricing model. In the event of a modification in warrants issued as private placement units, no re-measurement adjustment is recognized within equity.
k) | Financial instruments |
Financial assets and liabilities are recognized when the entity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Financial assets and liabilities are derecognized when the rights to receive cash flows have expired or substantially all risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred. Gains and losses on derecognition are generally recognized in profit and loss.
Financial assets are classified and measured either at amortized cost, fair value through other comprehensive income ("FVOCI") or fair value through profit or loss ("FVTPL") based on the business model in which they are held and the characteristics of their contractual cash flows. Financial assets that are held within a business model whose objective is to collect the contractual cash flows, and that have contractual cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest are measured at amortized cost at the end of the subsequent accounting periods. All other financial assets including equity investments are measured at their fair values at the end of subsequent accounting periods, with any change taken through profit or loss or other comprehensive income.
All financial instruments are initially recognized at fair value on the statement of financial position. Subsequent measurement of financial instruments is based on their classification. Financial assets and liabilities classified at FVTPL are measured at fair value with changes in those fair values recognized in profit or loss for the period. Financial assets and liabilities classified at amortized cost are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method.
-8-
New Found Gold Corp.
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars Unless Otherwise Noted)
2. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) |
k) | Financial instruments (continued) |
The following table sets out the classifications of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities:
Financial assets/liabilities |
| Classification under IFRS 9 |
Cash | Amortized cost | |
Investments | FVTPL | |
Amounts receivable | Amortized cost | |
Deposits | Amortized cost | |
Accounts payables | Amortized cost |
IFRS requires an expected credit loss model for calculating the impairment of financial assets.
The expected credit loss model requires an entity to account for expected credit losses and changes in those expected credit losses at each reporting date to reflect changes in initial recognition. Impairment losses on financial assets carried at amortized cost are reversed in subsequent periods, if the amount of the loss decreases and the decrease can be objectively related to an event occurring after the impairment was recognized.
Impairment losses on financial assets carried at amortized cost are reversed in subsequent periods, if the amount of the loss decreases and the decrease can be objectively related to an event occurring after the impairment was recognized.
l) | Investments |
Purchases and sales of investments are recognized on the settlement date. Realized gains and losses on disposal of investments and unrealized gains and losses in the fair value of investments are reflected in the statement of loss and comprehensive loss. Upon disposal of an investment, previously recognized unrealized gains or losses are reversed so as to recognize the full realized gain or loss in the period of disposition. All transaction costs associated with the acquisition and disposition of investments are expensed to the statement of loss and comprehensive loss as incurred. Interest income and other income are recorded on an accrual basis.
The fair value of investments is determined as follows:
(a) | Securities that are traded in an active market and for which no sales restrictions apply, are presented at fair value based on quoted closing trade prices at the date of statement of financial position. If there were no trades on the date of the statement of financial position, these securities are presented at the closing price on the last date the security traded. These investments are included in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. |
(b) | Securities that are traded in an active market, but which are escrowed or otherwise restricted as to their sale or transfer, are recorded at amounts discounted from market value to a maximum of 10%. In determining the discount for such investments, the Company considers the nature and length of the restriction. These investments are included in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. |
(c) | Securities that are not traded in an active market or are valued based on unobservable market inputs are included in the Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. See Note 5 for details of investments held by the Company as at December 31, 2021 and 2020. |
-9-
New Found Gold Corp.
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars Unless Otherwise Noted)
2. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) |
m) | Flow-through shares |
The Company will from time to time issue flow-through common shares to finance a significant portion of its exploration program. Pursuant to the terms of the flow-through share agreements, these shares transfer the tax deductibility of qualifying resource expenditures to investors. On issuance, the Company bifurcates the flow-through share into i) a flow-through share premium, equal to the estimated premium, if any, investors pay for the flow-through feature, which is recognized as a liability, and ii) share capital. Upon expenditures being incurred, the Company derecognizes the liability and recognizes a deferred tax liability for the amount of tax reduction renounced to the shareholders. The premium is recognized as recovery of flow-through premium liability and the related deferred tax is recognized as a tax provision.
Proceeds received from the issuance of flow-through shares are required to be used only for Canadian resource property exploration expenditures within a two-year period. The Company may also be subject to a Part XII.6 tax on flow-through proceeds renounced under the Look-back Rule, in accordance with the Government of Canada flow-through regulations. When applicable, this tax is accrued as an expense until paid.
n) | Earnings and loss per share |
The Company presents basic and diluted earnings and loss per share data for its common shares, calculated by dividing the earnings attributable to common shareholders of the Company by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings or loss per share does not adjust the earnings or loss attributable to common shareholders or the weighted average number of common shares outstanding when the effect is anti-dilutive.
o) | Income taxes |
Income tax on the profit or loss for the years presented comprises current and deferred tax. Income tax is recognized in profit or loss except to the extent that it relates to items recognized directly in equity, in which case it is recognized in equity.
Current tax expense is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at year end, adjusted for amendments to tax payable with regards to previous years.
Deferred tax is provided using the statement of financial position liability method, providing for temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. However, deferred tax liabilities are not recognized if they arise from the initial recognition of goodwill; deferred income tax is not accounted for if it arises from initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business combination that at the time of the transaction affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss. The amount of deferred tax provided is based on the expected manner of realization or settlement of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at year end applicable to the period of expected realization or settlement.
A deferred tax asset is recognized only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the asset can be utilized.
p) | Significant Accounting Estimates and Judgments |
The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Actual outcomes could differ from these estimates.
-10-
New Found Gold Corp.
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars Unless Otherwise Noted)
2. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) |
p) | Significant Accounting Estimates and Judgments (continued) |
These financial statements include estimates which, by their nature, are uncertain. The impacts of such estimates may be pervasive throughout the financial statements, and may require accounting adjustments based on future occurrences. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimate is revised and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods. These estimates are based on historical experience, current and future economic conditions and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
Significant assumptions about the future and other sources of estimation uncertainty that management has made at year end that could result in a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities, in the event that actual results differ from assumptions made, relate to the following:
(i)Critical accounting estimates
Valuation of Options Granted and Warrants Issued
The fair value of common share purchase options granted and warrants issued is determined at the issue date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Black-Scholes model involves six key inputs to determine the fair value of an option, which are: risk-free interest rate, exercise price, market price at the grant date, expected dividend yield, expected life, and expected volatility. Certain of the inputs are estimates that involve considerable judgment and are or could be affected by significant factors that are out of the Company’s control. The Company is also required to estimate the future forfeiture rate of options based on historical information in its calculation of share-based payments expense. These estimates impact the values of stock-based compensation expense, share capital, and reserves.
Fair Value of Financial Derivatives
Investments in warrants that are not traded on a recognized securities exchange do not have a readily available market value. When there are sufficient and reliable market inputs, a Black-Scholes option pricing model is used. The Black-Scholes model involves six key inputs to determine the fair value of a warrant, which include: risk free interest rate, exercise price, market price at the grant date, expected dividend yield, expected life, and expected volatility. Certain of the inputs are estimates that involve considerable judgment and are or could be affected by significant factors that are out of the Company’s control.
Fair Value of Investments in Private Companies
The determination of fair value requires judgment and is based on market information, where available and appropriate. All privately-held investments are initially recorded at the transaction price, being the fair value at the time of acquisition. Thereafter, at each reporting period, the fair value of an investment may be adjusted using one or more of the valuation indicators described below. These are included in Level 3 in Note 16.
Company-specific information is considered when determining whether the fair value of a privately-held investment should be adjusted upward or downward at the end of each reporting period. In addition to company-specific information, the Company will take into account trends in general market conditions and the share performance of comparable publicly-traded companies when valuing privately-held investments.
The absence of the occurrence of any of these events, any significant change in trends in general market conditions, or any significant change in share performance of comparable publicly-traded companies indicates generally that the fair value of the investment has not materially changed.
-11-
New Found Gold Corp.
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars Unless Otherwise Noted)
2. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) |
p) | Significant Accounting Estimates and Judgments (continued) |
(i) | Critical accounting estimates (continued) |
Computation of Income Taxes
The determination of tax expense for the period and deferred tax assets and liabilities involves significant estimation and judgment by management. In determining these amounts, management interprets tax legislation in a variety of jurisdictions and make estimates of the expected timing of the reversal of deferred tax assets and liabilities. Management also makes estimates of future earnings which affect the extent to which potential future tax benefits may be used.
The Company is subject to assessments by taxation authorities, which may interpret legislation differently. These differences may affect the final amount or the timing of the payment of taxes. We provide for such differences where known based on our best estimate of the probable outcome of these matters.
Shares Issued to Acquire Exploration and Evaluation Assets
From time to time, the Company issues common shares in the course of acquiring exploration and evaluation assets. When shares are issued without cash consideration, the transaction is recognized at the fair value of the assets received. In the event that the fair value of the assets cannot be reliably determined, the Company will recognize the transaction at the fair value of the shares issued. These estimates impact the value of share capital and exploration and evaluation assets.
Valuation of flow-through premium
The determination of the valuation of flow-through premium and warrants in equity units is subject to significant judgment and estimates. The flow-through premium is valued as the estimated premium that investors pay for the flow-through feature, being the portion in excess of the market value of shares without the flow-through feature issued in concurrent private placement financing.
(ii) | Critical accounting judgments |
Impairment of Exploration and Evaluation Assets
Management is required to assess impairment in respect to the Company’s intangible mineral property interests. The triggering events are defined in IFRS 6. In making the assessment, management is required to make judgments on the status of each project and the future plans towards finding commercial reserves. The carrying value of each exploration and evaluation asset is reviewed regularly for conditions that may suggest impairment.
This review requires significant judgment. Factors considered in the assessment of asset impairment include, but are not limited to, whether there has been a significant adverse change in the legal, regulatory, accessibility, title, environmental or political factors that could affect the property’s value; whether there has been an accumulation of costs significantly in excess of the amounts originally expected for the property’s acquisition, development or cost of holding; and whether exploration activities produced results that are not promising such that no more work is being planned in the foreseeable future. If impairment is determined to exist, a formal estimate of the recoverable amount is performed and an impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount.
Management has determined that there were indicators of impairment as at December 31, 2021 and has impaired $28,604 (December 31, 2020 - $166,662) in exploration and evaluation assets. Refer to Note 3 for further information.
-12-
New Found Gold Corp.
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars Unless Otherwise Noted)
2. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) |
q) | Initial application of standards, interpretations and amendments to standards and interpretations in the reporting period |
There were no new accounting standards issued that were mandatory for adoption in 2021, and as a result no new standards were adopted by the Company during the year ended December 31, 2021.
r) | New and amended IFRS standards not yet effective |
New accounting standards and interpretations have been published that are not mandatory for the current period and have not been adopted early. These standards are not expected to have a material impact on the Company.
3. | EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS |
The schedules below summarize the carrying costs of acquisition costs and exploration expenditures incurred to date for each exploration and evaluation asset that the Company is continuing to explore as at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:
Newfoundland | ||||||||
Queensway(i) | Other(ii) | Ontario(iii) | Total | |||||
Year ended December 31, 2021 |
| $ |
| $ |
| $ |
| $ |
Exploration and evaluation assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Balance as at December 31, 2020 | 685,930 |
| 13,100 | 300,204 |
| 999,234 | ||
Additions |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Acquisition costs | 7,444,306 |
| — | — |
| 7,444,306 | ||
Claim staking and license renewal costs | 106,530 |
| 4,600 | — |
| 111,130 | ||
Disposal of exploration and evaluation assets | (585) |
| — | — |
| (585) | ||
Impairment of exploration and evaluation assets | — |
| — | (28,604) |
| (28,604) | ||
Balance as at December 31, 2021 | 8,236,181 |
| 17,700 | 271,600 |
| 8,525,481 | ||
Exploration and evaluation expenditures |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Cumulative exploration expense – December 31, 2020 | 10,245,545 |
| 45,851 | 1,286,951 |
| 11,578,347 | ||
Assays | 5,611,068 |
| — | 53,447 |
| 5,664,515 | ||
Drilling | 19,102,621 |
| — | 277,748 |
| 19,380,369 | ||
Environmental studies | 395,015 | — | — | 395,015 | ||||
Geophysics | 3,257,813 |
| — | 374,660 |
| 3,632,473 | ||
Imagery and mapping | 104,665 | — | — | 104,665 | ||||
Office and general | 512,922 |
| — | 1,631 |
| 514,553 | ||
Property taxes, mining leases and rent | 59,997 |
| — | — |
| 59,997 | ||
Petrography | — | — | 7,996 | 7,996 | ||||
Reclamation | 335,783 |
| — | 732 |
| 336,515 | ||
Salaries and consulting | 6,391,133 |
| 12,295 | 165,863 |
| 6,569,291 | ||
Supplies and equipment | 3,893,748 |
| 923 | 62,338 |
| 3,957,009 | ||
Technical reports | 854,541 | — | 22,479 | 877,020 | ||||
Travel and accommodations | 742,796 |
| 577 | 18,641 |
| 762,014 | ||
Trenching | 9,860 |
| — | 77,715 |
| 87,575 | ||
Exploration cost recovery | (77,550) | — | — | (77,550) | ||||
41,194,412 |
| 13,795 | 1,063,250 |
| 42,271,457 | |||
Cumulative exploration expense – December 31, 2021 | 51,439,957 |
| 59,646 | 2,350,201 |
| 53,849,804 |
-13-
New Found Gold Corp.
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars Unless Otherwise Noted)
3. | EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS (continued) |
| Newfoundland | |||||||
Queensway (i) | Other(ii) | Ontario(iii) | Total | |||||
Year ended December 31, 2020 |
| $ |
| $ |
| $ |
| $ |
Exploration and evaluation assets |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Balance as at December 31, 2019 | 658,700 | 16,500 |
| 425,516 | 1,100,716 | |||
Additions |
|
|
|
|
| |||
Acquisition costs | 75,000 | — |
| 25,000 | 100,000 | |||
Claim staking and license renewal costs | 37,230 | 2,100 |
| 3,600 | 42,930 | |||
Disposal of exploration and evaluation assets | (75,000) | (2,750) |
| — | (77,750) | |||
Impairment of exploration and evaluation assets | (10,000) | (2,750) |
| (153,912) | (166,662) | |||
Balance as at December 31, 2020 | 685,930 | 13,100 |
| 300,204 | 999,234 | |||
Exploration and evaluation expenditures |
|
|
|
|
| |||
Cumulative exploration expense – December 31, 2019 | 2,633,775 | — |
| 837,133 | 3,470,908 | |||
Assays | 848,000 | 963 |
| 209,159 | 1,058,122 | |||
Drilling | 2,560,406 | — |
| — | 2,560,406 | |||
Geochemistry | — | — |
| 5,330 | 5,330 | |||
Geophysics | 838,235 | — |
| — | 838,235 | |||
Office and general | 47,130 | 499 |
| 714 | 48,343 | |||
Property taxes, mining leases and rent | 46,217 | — |
| 5,812 | 52,029 | |||
Reclamation | 163,598 | — |
| — | 163,598 | |||
Salaries and consulting | 1,801,863 | 37,870 |
| 115,985 | 1,955,718 | |||
Supplies and equipment | 879,816 | 6,470 |
| 80,803 | 967,089 | |||
Travel and accommodations | 225,550 | 49 |
| 150 | 225,749 | |||
Trenching | 231,635 | — |
| 31,865 | 263,500 | |||
Exploration cost recovery | (30,680) | — |
| — | (30,680) | |||
7,611,770 | 45,851 |
| 449,818 | 8,107,439 | ||||
Cumulative exploration expense – December 31, 2020 | 10,245,545 | 45,851 |
| 1,286,951 | 11,578,347 |
As at December 31, 2021, the Company owns a 100% interest in 86 (December 31, 2020 – 86) mineral licenses including 6,041 (December 31, 2020 – 6,041) claims comprising 151,030 (December 31, 2020 – 151,030) hectares of land located in Gander, Newfoundland. The project rights were acquired by map staking mineral licenses and making staged payments in cash and common shares of the Company from 2016 through 2019 under nine separate, fully executed option agreements. The Queensway Project carries various net smelter return (“NSR”) royalties ranging from 0.6% to 2.5% which can be reduced to 0.5% to 1.6%, at the Company’s option, with payments ranging from $250,000 to $1,000,000 to the optionors. The total cost of the NSR’s that may be purchased at the Company’s discretion is $5,250,000.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company entered into three royalty purchase agreements with arm’s length royalty holders (together, the “Vendors” and each, a “Vendor”), to purchase 100% of each Vendor’s royalty interests, each equal to 0.2%, for an aggregate of 0.6% of net returns from the Company’s Linear and JBP Linear properties (the “Royalty Interests”) for cash consideration of $1,300,000 (paid) and the issuance of 152,941 common shares (issued) in the capital of the Company to each Vendor, for aggregate cash consideration of $3,900,000 and aggregate share consideration of 458,823 common shares with a value of $3,505,408. The Company also incurred $38,898 in legal and filing fees in connection with the transaction. The royalty purchase was completed on November 25, 2021.The total amount of the consideration paid of $7,444,306 is included in mineral property acquisition costs at December 31, 2021.
-14-
New Found Gold Corp.
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars Unless Otherwise Noted)
3. | EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS (continued) |
Disposal of Newfoundland Properties
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company sold a stand-alone claim that was part of the Queensway Project (claim 023951M also known as Unknown Brooke claim) to Long Range Exploration Corporation (“Long Range”) for non-cash consideration of 5,000,000 common shares of Long Range valued at $500,000 (Note 5). The Company recognized a gain on sale of exploration and evaluation assets in the amount of $499,415 and derecognized exploration and evaluation assets at their carrying value of $585. The Company retained a 1% NSR on future production from the mineral claim, 0.5% of which can be repurchased by Long Range for $750,000.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recognized a gain on disposal of certain Newfoundland exploration and evaluation assets of $4,384,953. The Company received total non-cash consideration comprised of investments having a fair value of $4,462,703, and derecognized exploration and evaluation assets at their carrying value of $77,750. The Company retained a 2% net smelter returns royalty on future production from the mineral claims.
Impairment of Newfoundland Properties
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded an impairment of
(2020 - $10,000) in acquisition costs related to projects no longer being explored.Impairment of Newfoundland Properties
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded an impairment of
(2020 - $2,750) in acquisition costs related to projects no longer being explored.As at December 31, 2021, the Company owns a 100% interest in the Lucky Strike project in Kirkland Lake, Ontario comprising 11,684 hectares, as well as a portfolio of mining and royalty interests throughout northeastern Ontario. The project rights were acquired by map staking mineral licenses and making staged payments in cash and common shares of the Company from 2016 through 2019 under a fully executed option agreement. The optioned lands carry an NSR ranging from 1% to 2%.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded an impairment of $28,604 (2020 - $153,912) in acquisition costs related to projects no longer being explored.
-15-
New Found Gold Corp.
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars Unless Otherwise Noted)
4. | PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT |
| Property and | Computer | Geological | |||||||
Buildings | Equipment | Equipment | Vehicles | Total | ||||||
| $ |
| $ |
| $ |
| $ |
| $ | |
Cost |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Balance at January 1, 2020 | — |
| — |
| — |
| 45,949 |
| 45,949 | |
Additions | 836,009 |
| 15,860 |
| 336,020 |
| 258,551 |
| 1,446,440 | |
Balance at December 31, 2020 | 836,009 |
| 15,860 |
| 336,020 |
| 304,500 |
| 1,492,389 | |
Additions | 1,291,476 |
| 16,532 |
| 487,102 |
| 226,740 |
| 2,021,850 | |
Balance at December 31, 2021 | 2,127,485 |
| 32,392 |
| 823,122 |
| 531,240 |
| 3,514,239 | |
Accumulated Depreciation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Balance at January 1, 2020 | — |
| — |
| — |
| 16,800 |
| 16,800 | |
Depreciation | 6,998 |
| 4,090 |
| 45,474 |
| 41,898 |
| 98,460 | |
Balance at December 31, 2020 | 6,998 |
| 4,090 |
| 45,474 |
| 58,698 |
| 115,260 | |
Depreciation | 46,656 |
| 13,017 |
| 288,000 |
| 136,847 |
| 484,520 | |
Balance at December 31, 2021 | 53,654 |
| 17,107 |
| 333,474 |
| 195,545 |
| 599,780 | |
Carrying Amount |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
At December 31, 2020 | 829,011 |
| 11,770 |
| 290,546 |
| 245,802 |
| 1,377,129 | |
At December 31, 2021 | 2,073,831 |
| 15,285 |
| 489,648 |
| 335,695 |
| 2,914,459 |
5. | INVESTMENTS |
The Company classifies its investments at FVTPL. Realized gains and losses on disposal of investments and unrealized gains and losses in the fair value of investments are reflected in the statement of loss and comprehensive loss in the period in which they occur.
Investments consisted of the following as at December 31, 2021 and 2020:
| December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||
| $ |
| $ | |
Equities held (i) | 28,578,556 |
| 21,089,997 | |
Warrants held (ii) | 3,363,902 |
| — | |
Total Investments | 31,942,458 |
| 21,089,997 |
(i) Equities held
The Company held the following equities as at December 31, 2021 and 2020:
-16-
New Found Gold Corp.
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars Unless Otherwise Noted)
5. | INVESTMENTS (continued) |
(i) Equities held (continued)
(i) | The Exploits Discovery Corp. investment is subject to certain resale restrictions expiring December 8, 2021 and trading restrictions expiring April 8, 2021 and was discounted in the amount of $439,708. |
Investments in Exploits Discovery Corp., MetalsTech Limited, Labrador Gold Corp. and Novo Resources Corp. represent investments in public companies that are quoted on an active exchange and are measured using the quoted market price of these companies. Long Range is a private company without observable market prices for its common shares and is measured at its estimated fair value based on valuation techniques that use inputs derived by management and is considered Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy (Note 16).
(ii) Warrants held
The Company held the following warrants as at December 31, 2021:
|
|
| Fair Value | |||
December 31, | ||||||
Cost | 2021 | |||||
| Quantity |
| $ |
| $ | |
Exploits Discovery Corp. |
| 6,666,667 | — |
| 837,381 | |
Labrador Gold Corp. |
| 6,277,778 | — |
| 2,526,521 | |
Total Warrants | — |
| 3,363,902 |
The Company did not hold any investments in warrants as at December 31, 2020.
Warrants held by the Company are classified at fair value through profit or loss, with any gains or losses arising on remeasurement recognized in profit or loss. Warrants that do not have a quoted market price are valued using a Black-Scholes option pricing model using assumptions including risk free interest rate, expected dividend yield, expected volatility, and expected remaining life of the warrant, which are supported by observable market conditions.
-17-
New Found Gold Corp.
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars Unless Otherwise Noted)
5. | INVESTMENTS (continued) |
(ii) Warrants held (continued)
An analysis of investments including related gains and losses for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 is as follows:
6. | PREPAID EXPENSES AND DEPOSITS |
| December 31, |
| December 31, | |
2021 | 2020 | |||
$ | $ | |||
Prepaid expenses |
| 1,966,959 |
| 761,595 |
Mineral license deposits |
| 212,098 |
| 496,608 |
Prepaid expenses and deposits, end of year |
| 2,179,057 |
| 1,258,203 |
7. | FLOW-THROUGH SHARE PREMIUM |
| Issued |
| Issued |
| Issued |
| Issued |
| Issued |
| ||
June 4, 2020 | June 10, 2020 | April 8, 2021 | August 24, 2021 | November 25, 2021 | Total | |||||||
$ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||
Balance at December 31, 2019 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
Liability incurred on flow-through shares issued |
| 1,697,704 |
| 259,915 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 1,957,619 |
Settlement of flow-through share premium on expenditures incurred |
| (1,536,893) |
| (235,295) |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| (1,772,188) |
Balance at December 31, 2020 |
| 160,811 |
| 24,620 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 185,431 |
Liability incurred on flow-through shares issued |
| — |
| — |
| 1,971,330 |
| 14,590,165 |
| 12,600,000 |
| 29,161,495 |
Settlement of flow-through share premium on expenditures incurred |
| (160,811) |
| (24,620) |
| (1,971,330) |
| (4,460,969) |
| — |
| (6,617,730) |
Balance at December 31, 2021 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 10,129,196 |
| 12,600,000 |
| 22,729,196 |
Flow-through share arrangements entitle the holder of the flow-through share to a 100% tax deduction in respect of qualifying Canadian exploration expenses as defined in the Income Tax Act, Canada (“Qualifying CEE”).
-18-
New Found Gold Corp.
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars Unless Otherwise Noted)
7. | FLOW-THROUGH SHARE PREMIUM (continued) |
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company incurred $33,254,971 (2020 – $6,443,941) in Qualifying CEE and amortized a total of $6,617,730 (2020 - $1,772,188) of its flow-through liabilities.
The flow-through premium liability does not represent a cash liability to the Company and is to be fully amortized to the statement of loss and comprehensive loss pro-rata with the amount of qualifying expenditures that will be incurred.
As at December 31, 2021, the Company must spend another $39,920,949 of Qualifying CEE within one year to satisfy its remaining current flow-through liability of $10,129,196. The Company must also spend another $48,000,000 of Qualifying CEE by November 24, 2023 to satisfy its remaining non-current flow-through liability of $12,600,000.
8. | RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS |
The Company leases certain assets under lease agreements. The lease liabilities consists of residential, office and equipment leases. The leases are non-interest bearing and expiry dates for these leases range from May 2022 to November 2041. The related lease liabilities were measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments discounted using an incremental borrowing rate of 12% upon commencement of the lease.
As at December 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company’s right-of use assets were as follows:
As at December 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company’s lease liabilities were as follows:
Lease liability |
| December 31, 2021 |
| December 31, 2020 | ||
Current portion | $ | 54,250 | $ | 53,201 | ||
Non-current portion |
| 46,600 |
| — | ||
Total lease liabilities | $ | 100,850 | $ | 53,201 |
-19-
New Found Gold Corp.
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars Unless Otherwise Noted)
8. | RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS (continued) |
A Reconciliation of debt arising from lease liabilities is as follows:
| December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||
Lease liabilities beginning of year | $ | 53,201 | $ | — | ||
Additions to lease liabilities |
| 141,633 |
| 85,532 | ||
Principal payments on lease liabilities |
| (93,984) |
| (32,331) | ||
$ | 100,850 | $ | 53,201 |
As at December 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company is committed to minimum lease payments as follows:
Maturity analysis |
| December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||
Less than one year | $ | 62,517 | $ | 53,201 | ||
One to five years |
| 22,130 |
| — | ||
More than five years |
| 106,187 |
| — | ||
Total undiscounted lease liabilities | $ | 190,835 | $ | 53,201 |
Amounts recognized in profit or loss |
| December 31, 2021 |
| December 31, 2020 | ||
Interest on lease liabilities | $ | 6,516 | $ | 3,544 | ||
Expenses related to short-term leases | $ | — | $ | — |
Amounts recognized in the statement of cash flows |
| December 31, 2021 |
| December 31, 2020 | ||
Principal payments on lease liabilities | $ | $ | 32,331 | |||
Total cash outflows for leases | $ | 100,499 | $ | 35,875 |
9. | SHARE CAPITAL AND RESERVES |
Authorized Share Capital
At December 31, 2021, the authorized share capital comprised an unlimited number of common shares. The common shares do not have a par value. All issued shares are fully paid.
Details of Common Shares Issued in 2021
During the year ended December 31, 2021, 1,273,000 stock options were exercised at a weighted average exercise price of $0.97 per share for gross proceeds of $1,236,170.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, 883,854 warrants were exercised at a weighted average exercise price of $1.31 per share for gross proceeds of $1,156,523.
On April 8, 2021, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement financing of 2,857,000 flow-through common shares at a price of $5.25 per common share for gross proceeds of $14,999,250. The Company paid share issuance costs of $587,641 in cash of which $524,974 were finder’s fees. The premium received on the flow-through shares issued was determined to be $1,971,330.
-20-
New Found Gold Corp.
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars Unless Otherwise Noted)
9. | SHARE CAPITAL AND RESERVES (continued) |
On August 24, 2021, the Company completed a bought-deal private placement financing of 5,048,500 flow-through common shares at a price of $11.39 per common share for gross proceeds of $57,502,415, which included the full exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option. The Company paid share issuance costs of $3,254,048 in cash of which $2,734,547 was paid to the underwriters. The premium received on the flow-through shares issued was determined to be $14,590,165.
On November 24, 2021, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement financing of 5,000,000 flow-through common shares at a price of $9.60 per common share for gross proceeds of $48,000,000. The Company paid share issuance costs of $615,965 in cash of which $480,000 were finder’s fees. The premium received on the flow-through shares issued was determined to be $12,600,000.
On November 25, 2021, the Company issued 458,823 common shares with an estimated value of $3,505,408 as a portion of the consideration paid to acquire royalty interests for an aggregate of 0.6% of net returns from the Company’s Linear and JBP Linear properties (Note 3).
Details of Common Shares Issued in 2020
During the year ended December 31, 2020, 9,195,000 stock options were exercised at a weighted average exercise price of $0.77 per share for gross proceeds of $7,036,624.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, 16,554,292 warrants were exercised at a weighted average exercise price of $0.77 per share for gross proceeds of $12,721,057.
On March 6, 2020, the Company completed a private placement consisting of 15,000,000 common shares in exchange for non-cash consideration of 6,944,444 common shares of Novo Resources Corp. (TSXV: NVO) at a price of $2.41 per share for gross proceeds of $16,736,110.
On June 4, 2020, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement financing of 3,994,597 flow-through common shares at a price of $1.50 per common share for gross proceeds of $5,991,896. Finders’ fees paid were $69,394 in cash and the issuance of 64,282 warrants exercisable into common shares of the Company at $1.50 per share for two years from the date of issue with a fair value of $25,912. The premium received on the flow-through shares issued was determined to be $1,697,704.
On June 10, 2020, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement financing of 866,385 flow-through common shares at a price of $1.30 per common share for gross proceeds of $1,126,300. Finders’ fees paid were $56,793 in cash and the issuance of 43,582 warrants exercisable into common shares of the Company at $1.30 per share for two years from the date of issue with a fair value of $16,271. The premium received on the flow-through shares issued was determined to be $259,915.
On August 11, 2020, the Company completed an initial public offering of 21,000,000 common shares at a price of $1.30 per share for gross proceeds of $27,300,000 and on August 13, 2020, its agents exercised their overallotment option in full to offer and sell an additional 3,150,000 common shares for gross proceeds of $4,095,000. The Company paid share issuance costs of $2,906,419 in cash and issued 1,379,768 agents’ warrants with a fair value of $771,769. The agents’ warrants are exercisable into common shares of the Company at $1.30 per share for 12 months from the date of issue in connection with the initial public offering.
-21-
New Found Gold Corp.
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars Unless Otherwise Noted)
9. | SHARE CAPITAL AND RESERVES (continued) |
Share Purchase Option Compensation Plan
The Company has a share purchase option plan (the “Plan”) approved by the Company’s shareholders that allows it to grant share purchase options, subject to regulatory terms and approval, to its officers, directors, employees and service providers. The Plan is based on the maximum number of eligible shares not exceeding 10% in the aggregate and 5% with respect to any one optionee of the Company’s outstanding common shares at the time of grant. If outstanding share purchase options are exercised or expire, and/or the number of issued and outstanding common shares of the Company increases, then the share purchase options available to grant under the Plan increase proportionately. The exercise price and vesting terms of each share purchase option is set by the Board of Directors at the time of grant. Share purchase options granted are subject to a four-month hold period and exercisable for a period determined by the Board of Directors which cannot exceed five years.
The continuity of share purchase options for the year ended December 31, 2021 is as follows:
-22-
New Found Gold Corp.
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars Unless Otherwise Noted)
9. | SHARE CAPITAL AND RESERVES (continued) |
The continuity of share purchase options for the year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:
|
| Outstanding |
|
|
| Cancelled/ |
| Outstanding |
| Exercisable | |||||
December | Forfeited/ | December | December | ||||||||||||
Expiry date | Exercise Price | 31, 2019 | Granted | Exercised | Expired | 31, 2020 | 31, 2020 | ||||||||
February 20, 2022 | $ | 0.15 | 1,930,000 | — | (1,855,000) | — | 75,000 | 75,000 | |||||||
September 30, 2023 | $ | 0.40 | 350,000 | — | (100,000) | — | 250,000 | 250,000 | |||||||
December 17, 2024 | $ | 0.50 | 5,605,000 | — | (2,920,000) | — | 2,685,000 | 2,685,000 | |||||||
April 18, 2025 | $ | 1.00 | — |
| 2,300,000 |
| (800,000) |
| — |
| 1,500,000 |
| 1,500,000 | ||
May 23, 2025 | $ | 1.075 | — |
| 1,670,000 |
| (1,445,000) |
| — |
| 225,000 |
| 225,000 | ||
August 11, 2025 | $ | 1.40 | — |
| 5,040,000 |
| (2,075,000) |
| — |
| 2,965,000 |
| 2,965,000 | ||
September 3, 2025 | $ | 2.07 | — |
| 215,000 |
| — |
| — |
| 215,000 |
| 215,000 | ||
October 1, 2025 | $ | 2.15 | — |
| 25,000 |
| — |
| — |
| 25,000 |
| 25,000 | ||
December 31, 2025 | $ | 4.10 | — |
| 6,242,500 |
| — |
| — |
| 6,242,500 |
| 6,242,500 | ||
7,885,000 |
| 15,492,500 |
| (9,195,000) |
| — |
| 14,182,500 | 14,182,500 | ||||||
Weighted average exercise price $ | 0.41 |
| 2.40 |
| 0.77 |
| — |
| 2.36 |
| 2.36 | ||||
Weighted average contractual remaining life (years) | 4.22 |
| 5.0 |
| — |
| — |
| 4.58 |
| 4.58 |
The weighted average fair value of share purchase options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2021 is $0.68 (2020 - $0.56). The weighted average share price of options exercised at the date of exercise during the year ended December 31, 2021 is $8.84 (2020 – $3.12).
The weighted average fair value of share purchase options granted during the year ended December 31, 2021 is $5.15 (2020 - $1.71).
Options were priced based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following weighted average assumptions to estimate the fair value of options granted:
(i) | The expected share price volatility is based on the average historical share price of comparable companies over the life of the option. |
-23-
New Found Gold Corp.
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars Unless Otherwise Noted)
9. | SHARE CAPITAL AND RESERVES (continued) |
Warrants
The continuity of warrants for the year ended December 31, 2021 is as follows:
|
| Outstanding |
|
|
|
| Outstanding | ||||||
Exercise | December | Cancelled/ | December 31, | ||||||||||
Expiry date | Price | 31, 2020 | Issued | Exercised | Expired | 2021 | |||||||
August 11, 2021 | $ | 1.30 |
| 714,462 |
| — |
| (714,462) |
| — |
| — | |
August 13, 2021 | $ | 1.30 |
| 113,399 |
| — |
| (113,399) |
| — |
| — | |
May 12, 2022 | $ | 1.30 |
| 39,475 |
| — |
| (14,321) |
| — |
| 25,154 | |
May 13, 2022 | $ | 1.50 |
| 36,052 |
| — |
| (27,680) |
| — |
| 8,372 | |
June 4, 2022 | $ | 1.50 |
| 25,845 |
| — |
| (9,885) |
| — |
| 15,960 | |
June 10, 2022 | $ | 1.30 |
| 4,107 |
| — |
| (4,107) |
| — |
| — | |
|
| 933,340 |
| — |
| (883,854) |
| — | 49,486 | ||||
Weighted average exercise price $ |
| 1.31 |
| — |
| 1.31 |
| — |
| 1.40 | |||
Weighted average contractual remaining life (years) |
| 0.70 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 0.38 |
The continuity of warrants for the year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:
The weighted average fair value of warrants exercised during the year ended December 31, 2021 is $0.55 (2020 - $0.15).
The weighted average fair value of warrants issued during the year ended December 31, 2021 is
(2020 - $0.55). The weighted average share price of warrants exercised at the date of exercise during the year ended December 31, 2021 is $8.18 (2020 – $1.41).-24-
New Found Gold Corp.
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars Unless Otherwise Noted)
9. | SHARE CAPITAL AND RESERVES (continued) |
Warrants were priced based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following weighted average assumptions to estimate the fair value of warrants issued:
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| ||
Risk-free interest rate | — |
| 0.26 | % | ||
Expected option life in years | — |
| 1.07 | |||
Expected share price volatility(i) | — |
| 91.94 | % | ||
Grant date share price | — | $ | 1.41 | |||
Expected forfeiture rate | — |
| — | |||
Expected dividend yield | Nil |
| Nil |
(i) | The expected share price volatility is based on the average historical share price of comparable companies over the life of the warrant. |
10. | RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS |
All transactions with related parties have occurred in the normal course of operations and on terms and conditions that are similar to those of transactions with unrelated parties and are measured at the amount of consideration paid or received. A summary of the Company’s related party transactions with corporations having similar directors and officers, being Goldspot Discoveries Inc. and Mexican Gold Mining Corp., is as follows:
| Year ended December 31, | |||
| 2021 |
| 2020 | |
$ | $ | |||
Amounts paid to Goldspot Discoveries Inc. (i) for administration, exploration and evaluation |
| (1,356,384) |
| (147,690) |
Amounts paid to Mexican Gold Mining Corp. (ii) for legal fees |
| — |
| (127,234) |
Options exercised by members of key management |
| 666,875 |
| 5,753,625 |
(i) | Goldspot Discoveries Inc. is a related entity having the following common director and officer to the Company: Denis Laviolette, Director and President. |
(ii) | Mexican Gold Mining Corp. is a related entity having the following common director and officer to the Company: John Anderson, Director, Michael Kanevsky, Chief Financial Officer. |
As at December 31, 2021, $225,619 is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities for amounts owed to Goldspot Discoveries Inc. (December 31, 2020 - $Nil owed to related corporations).
There are no ongoing contractual commitments resulting from these transactions with related parties.
-25-
New Found Gold Corp.
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars Unless Otherwise Noted)
10. | RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS (continued) |
Key management personnel compensation
Key management personnel include those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Company as a whole. The Company has determined that key management personnel consist of executive and non-executive members of the Company’s Board of Directors and corporate officers.
| Year ended | |||||||
Salaries and | Share-based | December 31, | ||||||
Consulting | compensation | Bonus | 2020 | |||||
| $ |
| $ |
| $ |
| $ | |
Executive Chairman |
| 269,070 |
| 15,233,481 | 75,000 | 15,577,551 | ||
Chief Executive Officer |
| 250,000 |
| 4,722,549 | 325,000 | 5,297,549 | ||
President |
| 195,000 |
| 1,281,825 | 75,000 | 1,551,825 | ||
Chief Financial Officer |
| 72,900 |
| — | — | 72,900 | ||
Chief Operating Officer |
| 157,083 |
| 291,310 | 33,000 | 481,393 | ||
Non-executive directors |
| 20,000 |
| 886,614 | — | 906,614 | ||
Total |
| 964,053 |
| 22,415,779 | 508,000 | 23,887,832 |
As at December 31, 2021 and 2020, there were no amounts payable to key management personnel in respect of key management compensation.
Under the terms of their management agreements, certain officers of the Company are entitled to 18 months of base pay in the event of their agreements being terminated without cause.
11. | LOSS PER SHARE |
| Year ended December 31, | |||||
| 2021 |
| 2020 | |||
Loss attributable to common shareholders ($) |
| 50,640,075 |
| 32,534,439 | ||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding |
| 154,949,075 |
| 112,657,850 | ||
Loss per share attributed to common shareholders | 0.33 | 0.29 |
Diluted loss per share did not include the effect of 14,595,000 (2020 – 14,182,500) share purchase options and 49,486 (2020 – 933,340) common share purchase warrants as they are anti-dilutive.
-26-
New Found Gold Corp.
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars Unless Otherwise Noted)
12. | SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE WITH RESPECT TO CASH FLOWS |
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||
| $ |
| $ | |||
Non-cash investing and financing activities: |
|
|
|
| ||
Investments received for exploration and evaluation assets |
| 500,000 |
| 4,462,703 | ||
Investments received for private placement |
| — |
| 16,736,110 | ||
Issued pursuant to acquisition of exploration and evaluation assets |
| 3,505,408 |
| — | ||
Agents warrants issued in private placements |
| — |
| 42,183 | ||
Agents warrants issued in initial public offering |
| — |
| 771,769 | ||
Right-of-use assets |
| 97,423 |
| 54,034 | ||
Property and equipment included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 537,746 | — | ||||
Cash paid for income taxes |
| — |
| — | ||
Cash paid for interest |
| — |
| — |
13. | SEGMENTED INFORMATION |
The Company’s operations are limited to a single reportable segment, being mineral exploration and evaluation. All of the Company’s evaluation and exploration assets are located in Canada.
14. | INCOME TAXES |
The recovery of income taxes shown in the statements of loss and comprehensive loss differs from the amounts obtained by applying statutory rates to the loss before provision for income taxes due to the following:
2021 | 2020 | ||||
| $ |
| $ | ||
(Loss) income before income taxes | (50,640,075) |
| (32,534,439) | ||
Income tax (recovery) expense at statutory rate | (13,673,000) |
| (8,784,000) | ||
Permanent and other differences | 8,136,000 |
| 6,697,000 | ||
Change in unrecognized deductible temporary differences | 5,537,000 |
| 2,087,000 | ||
Income tax recovery | — |
| — | ||
Statutory tax rate | 27.00 | % | 27.00 | % |
-27-
New Found Gold Corp.
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars Unless Otherwise Noted)
14. | INCOME TAXES (continued) |
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
As at December 31, 2021, the Company has Canadian non-capital loss carry forwards of $8,535,283 that may be available for tax purposes. The Company’s non-capital losses expire as follows:
Expiry Date |
| $ |
2040 |
| 791,376 |
2041 |
| 7,743,907 |
| 8,535,283 |
15. | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCY |
Exploration
As at December 31, 2021, the Company is required to spend approximately $829,628 (December 31, 2020 - $1,844,956) over the next 12 months to keep all mineral property claims owned in good standing.
Subsequent to December 31, 2021, the Company entered into an agreement for drilling services to complete up to a minimum of 100,000m of drilling at its Queensway project. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the Company is subject to a one-time termination fee of $20 per undrilled meter as of the termination date up to a maximum termination fee of $2,000,000.
Legal Proceeding
In July 2021, the Company responded to a claim by ThreeD Capital Inc. and 131366 Ontario Inc. with respect to a common share purchase by Palisades Goldcorp Ltd. of 17,500,000 common shares of the Company. The outcome of this lawsuit cannot be determined at this time and therefore no amount has been accrued for.
-28-
New Found Gold Corp.
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars Unless Otherwise Noted)
16. | FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS |
The Company thoroughly examines the various financial instrument risks to which it is exposed and assesses the impact and likelihood of those risks. These risks may include credit risk, liquidity risk, currency risk, and interest rate risk. Where material, these risks are reviewed and monitored by the Board of Directors.
(a) | Fair Values |
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value are recognized according to 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 and liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The three levels of fair value hierarchy are as follows:
Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
Level 2 – Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
Level 3 – Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (supported by little or no market activity).
The Company’s only financial instrument measured at fair value are its investments, for which the fair value is determined using closing prices at the statement of financial position date with any unrealized gain or loss recognized in profit or loss.
The carrying values of other financial instruments, including cash, deposits and amounts receivable, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their fair values due to the short-term maturity of these financial instruments.
There was no movement between levels during the year ended December 31, 2021.
The following table represents the changes in fair value measurements of financial instruments classified as Level 3. Within Level 3, the Company includes private company investments which are not quoted on an active exchange. These financial instruments are measured at fair value utilizing non-observable market inputs.
Balance at | Net Unrealized | Balance at | ||||||
January 1 | Additions | Gains/Losses | December 31 | |||||
| $ |
| $ |
| $ |
| $ | |
2021 | — | 500,000 | — | 500,000 | ||||
2020 | — | — | — | — |
-29-
New Found Gold Corp.
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars Unless Otherwise Noted)
16. | FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued) |
(a) | Fair Values (continued) |
The addition in 2021 relates to the investment in common shares of Long Range (Note 5(i)). Long Range is a private company without observable market prices for its common shares and is measured at its estimated fair value based on valuation techniques that use inputs derived by management. The key assumptions used in the valuation of this investment include, but are not limited to, the value at which a recent financing was completed by the investee, company-specific information, review of adjusted net book values, liquidation analysis, trends in general market conditions, share performance of comparable publicly-traded companies and a strategic review. There has been no change in the estimated fair value of this investment and it has been estimated at $500,000 at December 31, 2021.
(b) | Financial Instrument Risk Exposure |
Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk that one party to a financial instrument will fail to discharge an obligation and cause the other party to incur a financial loss. The Company does not have financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to credit risk. Overall, the Company’s credit risk has not changed significantly from the prior year. Sales taxes recoverable are due from the Canada Revenue Agency and the Company places its cash with financial institutions with high credit ratings, therefore in management’s judgment, credit risk is low.
There have been no changes in management’s methods for managing credit risk during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Company has in place a planning and budgeting process to help determine the funds required to ensure the Company has the appropriate liquidity to meet its operating and growth objectives. The Company has historically relied on issuance of shares to fund exploration programs and may require doing so again in the future. As at December 31, 2021, the Company has total liabilities of $25,403,246 and cash of $100,484,576 which is available to discharge these liabilities (December 31, 2020 – total liabilities of $635,083 and cash of $47,731,125). Accordingly, in management’s judgment, liquidity risk is low.
There have been no changes in management’s methods for managing liquidity risk during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Market risk
(i) | Currency risk |
Financial instruments that impact the Company’s net earnings or other comprehensive income due to currency fluctuation include cash accounts denominated in US dollars and investments denominated in Australian dollars. Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the US dollar and the Canadian dollar, and the Australian dollar and the Canadian dollar at December 31, 2021 would not have a material impact on the Company’s net earnings and other comprehensive income.
(ii) | Interest rate risk |
Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate due to changes in market interest rates. As the Company deposits its short-term investments into fixed rate guaranteed investment certificates with one-year maturities or less, the Company is not exposed to interest rate risk.
-30-
New Found Gold Corp.
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars Unless Otherwise Noted)
16. | FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued) |
(b) | Financial Instrument Risk Exposure (continued) |
(iii) | Commodity price risk |
Commodity price risk is defined as the potential adverse impact on earnings and economic value due to commodity price movements and volatilities. The Company’s property has exposure to predominantly gold. Commodity prices, especially gold, greatly affect the value of the Company and the potential value of its property and investments.
(iv) | Equity price risk |
Equity price risk is the risk that the fair value of or future cash flows from the Company’s financial instruments will significantly fluctuate because of changes in market prices. The Company is exposed to market risk in trading its investments in unfavorable market conditions which could result in dispositions of investments at less than favorable prices. Additionally, the Company adjusts its investments to fair value at the end of each reporting period. This process could result in write-downs of the Company’s investments over one or more reporting periods, particularly during periods of overall market instability. The sensitivity of the Company’s net loss to changes in market prices at December 31, 2021 would change the Company’s net
by $3,194,245 as a result of a 10% in the market price of its investments.There have been no changes in management’s methods for managing market risks during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
17. | CAPITAL MANAGEMENT |
The Company’s objectives when managing capital are:
● | To safeguard our ability to continue as a going concern in order to develop and operate our current projects; |
● | Pursue strategic growth initiatives; and |
● | To maintain a flexible capital structure which lowers the cost of capital. |
In assessing our capital structure, we include in our assessment the components of equity consisting of common shares, stock options and warrants, and deficit that as at December 31, 2021 totalled $122,654,601 (December 31, 2020 - $72,901,845). In order to facilitate the management of capital requirements, the Company prepares annual expenditure budgets and continuously monitors and reviews actual and forecasted cash flows. The annual and updated budgets are monitored and approved by the Board of Directors. To maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Company may, from time to time, issue new shares, issue new debt, repay debt or dispose of non-core assets. The Company’s current capital resources are sufficient to carry out our exploration plans and support operations through the current operating period.
The Company is not subject to any capital requirements imposed by a regulator.
There were no changes in the Company’s approach to capital management during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
-31-
New Found Gold Corp.
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars Unless Otherwise Noted)
18. | SUBSEQUENT EVENTS |
Stock Options Granted
Subsequent to December 31, 2021, 30,000 stock options were granted at an exercise price of $8.98 per share and an expiry date of January 4, 2027.
Stock Options Exercised
Subsequent to December 31, 2021, 26,875 stock options were exercised at a weighted average exercise price of $1.78 per share for gross proceeds of $47,731.
Warrants Exercised
Subsequent to December 31, 2021, 12,270 warrants were exercised at a weighted average exercise price of $1.50 per share for gross proceeds of $18,405.
-32-
EXHIBIT 99.4
CERTIFICATION REQUIRED BY RULE 13a-14(a) OR RULE 15d-14(a), PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Collin Kettell, certify that:
1. | I have reviewed this annual report on Form 40-F of New Found Gold Corp. |
2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the issuer as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
4. | The issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the issuer and have: |
a. | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the issuer, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
b. | Evaluated the effectiveness of the issuer’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and |
c. | Disclosed in this report any change in the issuer’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the issuer’s internal control over financial reporting; and |
5. | The issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the issuer’s auditors and the audit committee of the issuer’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
a. | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the issuer’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
b. | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the issuer’s internal control over financial reporting. |
Date: May 19, 2022
/s/ Collin Kettell | |
Signature | |
| |
Chief Executive Officer | |
Title | |
EXHIBIT 99.5
CERTIFICATION REQUIRED BY RULE 13a-14(a) OR RULE 15d-14(a), PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Michael Kanevsky, certify that:
1. | I have reviewed this annual report on Form 40-F of New Found Gold Corp. |
2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the issuer as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
4. | The issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the issuer and have: |
a. | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the issuer, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
b. | Evaluated the effectiveness of the issuer’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and |
c. | Disclosed in this report any change in the issuer’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the issuer’s internal control over financial reporting; and |
5. | The issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the issuer’s auditors and the audit committee of the issuer’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
a. | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the issuer’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
b. | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the issuer’s internal control over financial reporting. |
Date: May 19, 2022
/s/ Michael Kanevsky | |
Signature | |
| |
Chief Financial Officer | |
Title | |
EXHIBIT 99.6
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ENACTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE U.S. SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
New Found Gold Corp. (the “Company”) is filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, its annual report on Form 40-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 (the “Report”).
I, Collin Kettell, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as enacted pursuant to section 906 of the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
(i) | the Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and |
(ii) | the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. |
/s/ Collin Kettell | | |
Name: | Collin Kettell | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
| ||
Date: May 19, 2022 |
EXHIBIT 99.7
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ENACTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE U.S. SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
New Found Gold Corp. (the “Company”) is filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, its annual report on Form 40-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 (the “Report”).
I, Michael Kanevsky, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as enacted pursuant to section 906 of the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
(i) | the Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and |
(ii) | the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. |
/s/ Michael Kanevsky | | |
Name: | Michael Kanevsky | |
Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |
| | |
Date: May 19, 2022 | |
EXHIBIT 99.8
| |
| Crowe MacKay LLP |
| 1100 - 1177 West Hastings Street |
| Vancouver, BC V6E 4T5 |
| Main +1 (604) 687 4511 |
| Fax +1 (604) 687 5805 |
| www.crowemackay.ca |
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the use of our report, dated March 10, 2022, relating to the financial statements of New Found Gold Corp. included in this annual report on Form 40-F.
/s/ Crowe MacKay LLP | |
| |
Chartered Professional Accountants | |
Vancouver, Canada | |
May 19, 2022 | |
EXHIBIT 99.9
Consent of Greg Matheson
The undersigned hereby consents to being named as having approved the disclosure of certain scientific and technical information contained or incorporated by reference in, as well as the reference to their name, in each case where used or incorporated by reference in the Annual Report on Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2021 of New Found Gold Corp.
/s/ Greg Matheson | |
| |
Greg Matheson, P. Geo., Chief Operating Officer | |
|
|
Date: May 19, 2022 | |
EXHIBIT 99.10
Consent of Alan Lambden
The undersigned hereby consents to the use of their report(s), and the information derived therefrom, as well as the reference to their name, in each case where used or incorporated by reference in the Annual Report on Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2021 of New Found Gold Corp.
/s/ Alan Lambden | |
| |
By: Alan Lambden, B.Sc., M.Sc., P.Geo. | |
| |
Date: May 19, 2022 | |
EXHIBIT 99.11
Consent of R. Mohan Srivastava
The undersigned hereby consents to the use of their report(s), and the information derived therefrom, as well as the reference to their name, in each case where used or incorporated by reference in the Annual Report on Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2021 of New Found Gold Corp.
/s/ R. Mohan Srivastava | |
| |
By: R. Mohan Srivastava, B.Sc., M.Sc., P.Geo. | |
| |
Date: May 19, 2022 | |