UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

x   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2017
OR
¨   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from     to

 

 

Commission file number: 001-33638

 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

British Columbia, Canada N/A
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

  2300-1177 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6E 2K3

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

V6E 2K3

(Zip code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (604) 683-6332

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes x No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).

Yes x  No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer ¨
       
Non-accelerated filer ¨ Smaller reporting company x
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    
  Emerging growth company ¨

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x

 

As of August 7, 2017, the registrant had 162,392,996 Common Shares outstanding.

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

    Page
Part I FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
Item 1 Financial Statements 4
Item 2 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 16
Item 3 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 23
Item 4 Controls and Procedures 23
     
Part II OTHER INFORMATION  
Item 1 Legal Proceedings 24
Item 1A Risk Factors 24
Item 2 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 24
Item 3 Defaults Upon Senior Securities 24
Item 4 Mine Safety Disclosures 24
Item 5 Other Information 24
Item 6 Exhibits 25
     
SIGNATURES   26

 

 

 

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE TO U.S. INVESTORS REGARDING ESTIMATES OF MEASURED, INDICATED AND INFERRED RESOURCES AND PROVEN AND PROBABLE RESERVES

 

International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. (“we”, “us”, “our,” “ITH” or the “Company”) is a mineral exploration company engaged in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties. As used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the terms “mineral reserve”, “proven mineral reserve” and “probable mineral reserve” are Canadian mining terms as defined in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101—Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the “CIM”)—CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council, as amended. These definitions differ from the definitions in the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Industry Guide 7 (“SEC Industry Guide 7”). Under SEC Industry Guide 7 standards, a “final” or “bankable” feasibility study is required to report reserves, the three-year historical average price is used in any reserve or cash flow analysis to designate reserves, and the primary environmental analysis or report must be filed with the appropriate governmental authority. In addition, the terms “mineral resource”, “measured mineral resource”, “indicated mineral resource” and “inferred mineral resource” are defined in and required to be disclosed by NI 43-101; however, these terms are not defined terms under SEC Industry Guide 7 and are normally not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of a mineral deposit in these categories will ever be converted into reserves.

 

“Inferred mineral resources” have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all, or any part, of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists or is economically or legally mineable.

 

Disclosure of “contained ounces” in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute “reserves” by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. Accordingly, information contained in this report and the documents incorporated by reference herein contain descriptions of our mineral deposits that may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

The term “mineralized material” as used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, although permissible under SEC Industry Guide 7, does not indicate “reserves” by SEC Industry Guide 7 standards. We cannot be certain that any part of the mineralized material will ever be confirmed or converted into SEC Industry Guide 7 compliant “reserves”. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of the mineralized material will ever be confirmed or converted into reserves or that mineralized material can be economically or legally extracted.

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE TO ALL INVESTORS CONCERNING ECONOMIC ASSESSMENTS THAT INCLUDE INFERRED RESOURCES

 

The Company currently holds or has the right to acquire interests in an advanced stage exploration project in Alaska referred to as the Livengood Gold Project (the “Livengood Gold Project” or the “Project”). Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves have no demonstrated economic viability. The preliminary assessments on the Project are preliminary in nature and include “inferred mineral resources” that have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. It cannot be assumed that all, or any part, of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies. There is no certainty that such inferred mineral resources at the Project will ever be realized. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists or is economically or legally mineable.

 

 

 

 

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements or information within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning anticipated results and developments in the operations of the Company in future periods, planned exploration activities, the adequacy of the Company’s financial resources and other events or conditions that may occur in the future. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “potential,” “possible” and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions or results “will,” “may,” “could” or “should” (or the negative and grammatical variations of any of these terms) occur or be achieved. These forward looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements concerning:

 

· the Company’s future cash requirements, the Company’s ability to meet its financial obligations as they come due, and the Company’s ability to be able to raise the necessary funds to continue operations on acceptable terms, if at all;
· the potential to improve the block model or production schedule at the Livengood Gold Project,
· the potential for opportunities to improve recovery or further reduce costs at the Livengood Gold Project;
· the Company’s ability to potentially include the results of the optimization process in a new or updated feasibility study or any future financial analysis of the Project, and the estimated cost of such optimization process;
· the Company’s ability to carry forward and incorporate into future engineering studies of the Project updated mine design, production schedule, and recovery concepts identified during the optimization process;
· the potential for the Company to carry out an engineering phase that will evaluate and optimize the Project configuration and capital and operating expenses, including determining the optimum scale for the Project;
· the Company’s strategies and objectives, both generally and specifically in respect of the Livengood Gold Project;
· the Company’s belief that there are no known environmental issues that are anticipated to materially impact the Company’s ability to conduct mining operations at the Project;
· the potential for the expansion of the estimated resources at the Livengood Gold Project;
· the potential for a production decision concerning, and any production at, the Livengood Gold Project;
· the sequence of decisions regarding the timing and costs of development programs with respect to, and the issuance of the necessary permits and authorizations required for, the Livengood Gold Project;
· the Company’s estimates of the quality and quantity of the resources at the Livengood Gold Project;
· the timing and cost of any future exploration programs at the Livengood Gold Project, and the timing of the receipt of results therefrom; and
· future general business and economic conditions, including changes in the price of gold and the overall sentiment of the markets for public equity.

 

Such forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, among others:

 

· the demand for, and level and volatility of the price of, gold;
· conditions in the financial markets generally, the overall sentiment of the markets for public equity, interest rates and currency rates;
· general business and economic conditions;
· government regulation and proposed legislation (and changes thereto or interpretations thereof);
· defects in title to claims, or the ability to obtain surface rights, either of which could affect the Company’s property rights and claims;
· the Company’s ability to secure the necessary services and supplies on favorable terms in connection with its programs at the Livengood Gold Project and other activities;
· the Company’s ability to attract and retain key staff, particularly in connection with the permitting and development of any mine at the Livengood Gold Project;
· the accuracy of the Company’s resource estimates (including with respect to size and grade) and the geological, operational and price assumptions on which these are based;
· the timing of the ability to commence and complete planned work programs at the Livengood Gold Project;
· the timing of the receipt of and the terms of the consents, permits and authorizations necessary to carry out exploration and development programs at the Livengood Gold Project and the Company’s ability to comply with such terms on a safe and cost-effective basis;

 

 

 

 

· the ongoing relations of the Company with the lessors of its property interests and applicable regulatory agencies;
· the metallurgy and recovery characteristics of samples from certain of the Company’s mineral properties and whether such characteristics are reflective of the deposit as a whole; and
· the continued development of and potential construction of any mine at the Livengood Gold Project property not requiring consents, approvals, authorizations or permits that are materially different from those identified by the Company.

 

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company’s forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and actual achievements of the Company or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including without limitation those discussed in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, which are incorporated herein by reference, as well as other factors described elsewhere in this report and the Company’s other reports filed with the SEC.

 

The Company’s forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management as of the date of this report. The Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management’s beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, except as required by law. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not attribute undue certainty to or place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

 

 

 

 

PART 1

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.

(An Exploration Stage Company)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM BALANCE SHEETS

As at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016

(Expressed in US Dollars - Unaudited)

 

    Note   June 30,
2017
   

December 31,

2016

 
ASSETS                    
                     
Current                    
Cash and cash equivalents       $ 4,521,972     $ 22,466,493  
Prepaid expenses and other         350,079       206,221  
Total current assets         4,872,051       22,672,714  
                     
Property and equipment         22,803       24,800  
Capitalized acquisition costs   4     55,204,041       55,204,041  
                     
Total assets       $ 60,098,895     $ 77,901,555  
                     
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                    
                     
Current liabilities                    
Accounts payable       $ 22,950     $ 179,496  
Accrued liabilities   5     244,308       210,182  
Derivative liability   6     -       14,694,169  
                     
Total liabilities         267,258       15,083,847  
                     
Shareholders’ equity                    
Share capital, no par value; authorized 500,000,000 shares; 162,186,972 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2016 and June 30, 2017   7     265,524,796       265,569,796  
Contributed surplus   7     34,092,428       34,079,301  
Obligation to issue shares   7     99,492       -  
Accumulated other comprehensive income         1,596,152       1,344,219  
Deficit         (241,481,231 )     (238,175,608 )
                     
Total shareholders’ equity         59,831,637       62,817,708  
                     
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity       $ 60,098,895     $ 77,901,555  

 

General Information and Nature of Operations (Note 1)

Commitments (Note 9)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

  4  

 

 

INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.

(An Exploration Stage Company)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

For the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016

(Expressed in US Dollars - Unaudited)

 

        Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    Note   June 30, 2017     June 30, 2016     June 30, 2017     June 30, 2016  
Operating expenses                                    
Consulting fees       $ 74,080     $ 63,497     $ 146,775     $ 136,687  
Depreciation         998       1,325       1,997       2,640  
Insurance         68,738       69,457       134,733       131,206  
Investor relations         34,751       28,429       63,248       49,387  
Mineral property exploration   4     668,389       1,179,662       1,379,505       1,976,167  
Office         13,008       12,622       21,149       20,459  
Other         5,411       5,545       9,948       10,021  
Professional fees         64,899       49,116       115,118       91,950  
Regulatory         17,397       21,236       74,696       57,974  
Rent         35,445       35,374       70,794       70,735  
Travel         16,278       19,435       47,731       38,648  
Wages and benefits         579,570       521,925       1,035,984       1,092,163  
Total operating expenses         (1,578,964 )     (2,007,623 )     (3,101,678 )     (3,678,037 )
                                     
Other income (expenses)                                    
Loss/(gain) on foreign exchange         (78,001 )     2,098       (244,125 )     (121,764 )
Interest income         7,119       5,335       17,980       12,155  
Unrealized loss on derivative   6     -       (100,000 )     -       (800,000 )
Other income         22,200       31,340       22,200       31,340  
Total other income (expenses)         (48,682 )     (61,227 )     (203,945 )     (878,269 )
                                     
Net loss for the period         (1,627,646 )     (2,068,850 )     (3,305,623 )     (4,556,306 )
                                     
Other comprehensive income (loss)                                    
Unrealized gain/(loss) on marketable securities         (6,349 )     11,224       (4,385 )     10,751  
Exchange difference on translating foreign operations         91,303       (3,225 )     256,318       296,258  
Total other comprehensive income (loss) for the period         84,954       7,999       251,933       307,009  
Comprehensive loss for the period       $ (1,542,692 )   $ (2,060,851 )   $ (3,053,690 )   $ (4,249,297 )
                                     

Basic and diluted loss per share

      $ (0.01 )   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.04 )
                                     
Weighted average number of shares outstanding – basic and diluted         162,186,972       116,313,638       162,186,972       116,313,618  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

  5  

 

 

INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.

(An Exploration Stage Company)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016

(Expressed in US Dollars - Unaudited)

 

    Number of
shares
    Share capital     Contributed
surplus
    Obligation
to
issue
shares
    Accumulated other
comprehensive
income
    Deficit     Total  
Balance, December 31, 2015     116,313,638     $ 243,692,185     $ 33,979,717       -     $ 816,435     $ (230,984,980 )   $ 47,503,357  
Stock-based compensation     -       -       76,295       -       -       -       76,295  
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities     -       -       -       -       10,751       -       10,751  
Exchange difference on translating foreign operations     -       -       -       -       296,258       -       296,258  
Net loss     -       -       -       -       -       (4,556,306 )     (4,556,306 )
Balance, June 30, 2016     116,313,638       243,692,185       34,056,012       -       1,123,444       (235,541,286 )     43,330,355  
Private placement     45,833,334       22,000,000       -       -       -       -       22,000,000  
Share issuance costs     -       (146,735 )     -       -       -       -       (146,735 )
Stock-based compensation     -       -       32,231       -       -       -       32,231  
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities     -       -       -       -       (21,545 )     -       (21,545 )
Exchange difference on translating foreign operations     -       -       -       -       242,320       -       242,320  
Exercise of options     40,000       15,404       -       -       -       -       15,404  
Reallocation from contributed surplus     -       8,942       (8,942 )     -       -       -       -  
Net loss     -       -       -       -       -       (2,634,322 )     (2,634,322 )
Balance, December 31, 2016     162,186,972       265,569,796       34,079,301       -       1,344,219       (238,175,608 )     62,817,708  
Share issuance costs     -       (45,000 )     -       -       -       -       (45,000 )
Stock-based compensation     -       -       13,127       -       -       -       13,127  
Obligation to issue shares     -       -       -       99,492       -       -       99,492  
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities     -       -       -       -       (4,385 )     -       (4,385 )
Exchange difference on translating foreign operations     -       -       -       -       256,318       -       256,318  
Net loss     -       -       -       -       -       (3,305,623 )     (3,305,623 )
Balance, June 30, 2017     162,186,972     $ 265,524,796     $ 34,092,428     $ 99,492     $ 1,596,152     $ (241,481,231 )   $ 59,831,637  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

  6  

 

 

INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.

(An Exploration Stage Company)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016

(Expressed in US Dollars - Unaudited)

 

    Six Months Ended  
    June 30, 2017     June 30, 2016  
Operating Activities                
Loss for the period   $ (3,305,623 )   $ (4,556,306 )
Add items not affecting cash:                
Depreciation     1,997       2,640  
Stock-based compensation     13,127       76,295  
Obligation to issue shares     99,492       -  
Unrealized loss on derivative liability     -       800,000  
Changes in non-cash items:                
Prepaid expenses and other     (148,207 )     (157,513 )
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities     (124,900 )     (60,995 )
Cash used in operating activities     (3,464,114 )     (3,895,879 )
                 
Financing Activities                
Derivative payment     (14,694,169 )     -  
Share issuance costs     (45,000 )     -  
Cash used in financing activities     (14,739,169 )     -  
                 
Effect of foreign exchange on cash     258,762       290,864  
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents     (17,944,521 )     (3,605,015 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period     22,466,493       6,493,486  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period   $ 4,521,972     $ 2,888,471  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

  7  

 

 

INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.

(An Exploration Stage Company)

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016

(Expressed in US dollars – Unaudited)

 

1. GENERAL INFORMATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS

 

International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. (“ITH” or the "Company") is incorporated under the laws of British Columbia, Canada. The Company’s head office address is 2300-1177 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

 

International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. consists of ITH and its wholly owned subsidiaries Tower Hill Mines, Inc. (“TH Alaska”) (an Alaska corporation), Tower Hill Mines (US) LLC (“TH US”) (a Colorado limited liability company), Livengood Placers, Inc. (“LPI”) (a Nevada corporation), and 813034 Alberta Ltd. (an Alberta corporation). The Company is in the business of acquiring, exploring and evaluating mineral properties, and either joint venturing or developing these properties further or disposing of them when the evaluation is completed. At June 30, 2017, the Company was in the exploration stage and controls a 100% interest in its Livengood Gold Project in Alaska, U.S.A.

 

These unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared on a going-concern basis, which presumes the realization of assets and discharge of liabilities in the normal course of business for the foreseeable future.

 

As at June 30, 2017, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $4,521,972 compared to $22,466,493 at December 31, 2016. The Company has no revenue generating operations from which it can internally generate funds. On January 12, 2017, the Company paid $14,694,169 for the timely and full satisfaction of the final derivative payment due with respect to the acquisition of certain mining claims and related rights in the vicinity of the Livengood Gold Project.

 

The Company will require significant additional financing to continue its operations in connection with advancing activities at the Livengood Gold Project and for the development of any mine that may be determined to be built at the Livengood Gold Project. In addition, any significant delays in the issuance of required permits for the ongoing work at the Livengood Gold Project, or unexpected results in connection with the ongoing work, could result in the Company being required to raise additional funds to advance permitting efforts. The Company’s review of its financing options includes pursuing a future strategic alliance to assist in further development, permitting and future construction costs.

 

Despite the Company’s success to date in raising significant equity financing to fund its operations, there is significant uncertainty that the Company will be able to secure any additional financing in the current or future equity markets. The amount of funds to be raised and the terms of any proposed equity financing that may be undertaken will be negotiated by management as opportunities to raise funds arise. Specific plans related to the use of proceeds will be devised once financing has been completed and management knows what funds will be available for these purposes. Due to this uncertainty, if the Company is unable to secure additional financing, it may be required to reduce all discretionary activities at the Project to preserve its working capital to fund anticipated non-discretionary expenditures beyond the 2017 fiscal year.

 

2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

These unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for annual financial statements. These unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016 as filed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the opinion of the Company’s management these financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position at June 30, 2017 and the results of its operations for the six months then ended.  Operating results for the six months ended June 30, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2017. The 2016 year-end balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP.

 

  8  

 

 

INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.

(An Exploration Stage Company)

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016

(Expressed in US dollars – Unaudited)

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. These judgments, estimates and assumptions are continuously evaluated and are based on management’s experience and knowledge of the relevant facts and circumstances. While management believes the estimates to be reasonable, actual results could differ from those estimates and could impact future results of operations and cash flows.

 

On August 10, 2017, the Board approved these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

Basis of consolidation

 

These condensed consolidated interim financial statements include the accounts of ITH and its wholly owned subsidiaries TH Alaska, TH US, LPI and 813034 Alberta Ltd. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

 

3. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable (included in prepaid expenses and other) and accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their fair values due to the short-term maturity of these financial instruments.

 

Financial instruments measured at fair value are classified into one of three levels in the fair value hierarchy according to the significance of the inputs used in making the measurement. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

 

· Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
· Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly; and
· Level 3 – Inputs that are not based on observable market data.

 

    Fair value as at June 30, 2017  
    Level 1     Level 2  
Financial assets:                
Marketable securities   $ 19,034     $ -  
Total   $ 19,034     $ -  

 

    Fair value as at December 31, 2016  
    Level 1     Level 2  
Financial assets:                
Marketable securities   $ 22,754     $ -  
Total   $ 22,754     $ -  
Financial liabilities:                
Derivative liability (Note 6)   $ -     $ 14,694,169  
Total   $ -     $ 14,694,169  

 

  9  

 

 

INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.

(An Exploration Stage Company)

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016

(Expressed in US dollars – Unaudited)

 

4. CAPITALIZED ACQUISITION COSTS

 

The Company had the following activity related to capitalized acquisition costs:

 

Capitalized acquisition costs   Amount  
       
Balance, December 31, 2016   $ 55,204,041  
Acquisition costs     -  
Balance, June 30, 2017   $ 55,204,041  

 

The following table presents costs incurred for exploration and evaluation activities for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016:

 

    June 30, 2017     June 30, 2016  
Exploration costs:                
Aircraft services   $ 4,050     $ 4,050  
Assay     412,811       -  
Environmental     106,905       142,499  
Equipment rental     23,875       21,586  
Field costs     68,128       70,357  
Geological/geophysical     307,023       1,293,989  
Land maintenance & tenure     415,305       412,716  
Legal     37,272       28,845  
Transportation and travel     4,136       2,125  
Total expenditures for the period   $ 1,379,505     $ 1,976,167  

 

Livengood Gold Project Property

 

The Livengood property is located in the Tintina gold belt approximately 113 kilometers (70 miles) northwest of Fairbanks, Alaska. The property consists of land leased from the Alaska Mental Health Trust, a number of smaller private mineral leases, Alaska state mining claims purchased or located by the Company and patented ground held by the Company.

 

Details of the leases are as follows:

 

a) a lease of the Alaska Mental Health Trust mineral rights having a term beginning July 1, 2004 and extending 19 years until June 30, 2023, subject to further extensions beyond June 30, 2023 by either commercial production or payment of an advance minimum royalty equal to 125% of the amount paid in year 19 and diligent pursuit of development. The lease requires minimum work expenditures and advance minimum royalties (all of which minimum royalties are recoverable from production royalties) which escalate annually with inflation. A net smelter return (“NSR”) production royalty of between 2.5% and 5.0% (depending upon the price of gold) is payable to the lessor with respect to the lands subject to this lease. In addition, an NSR production royalty of l% is payable to the lessor with respect to the unpatented federal mining claims subject to the lease described in b) below and an NSR production royalty of between 0.5% and 1.0% (depending upon the price of gold) is payable to the lessor with respect to the lands acquired by the Company as a result of the purchase of Livengood Placers, Inc. in December 2011. During the six months ended June 30, 2017 and from the inception of this lease the Company has paid $329,722 and $2,632,388, respectively.

 

b) a lease of federal unpatented lode mining claims having an initial term of ten years commencing on April 21, 2003 and continuing for so long thereafter as advance minimum royalties are paid and mining related activities, including exploration, continue on the property or on adjacent properties controlled by the Company. The lease requires an advance minimum royalty of $50,000 on or before each anniversary date (all of which minimum royalties are recoverable from production royalties). An NSR production royalty of between 2% and 3% (depending on the price of gold) is payable to the lessors. The Company may purchase 1% of the royalty for $1,000,000. During the six months ended June 30, 2017 and from the inception of this lease the Company has paid $50,000 and $680,000, respectively.

 

  10  

 

 

INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.

(An Exploration Stage Company)

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016

(Expressed in US dollars – Unaudited)

 

c) a lease of patented lode mining claims having an initial term of ten years commencing January 18, 2007, and continuing for so long thereafter as advance minimum royalties are paid. The lease requires an advance minimum royalty of $20,000 on or before each anniversary date through January 18, 2017 and $25,000 on or before each subsequent anniversary (all of which minimum royalties are recoverable from production royalties). An NSR production royalty of 3% is payable to the lessors. The Company may purchase all interests of the lessors in the leased property (including the production royalty) for $1,000,000 (less all minimum and production royalties paid to the date of purchase), of which $500,000 is payable in cash over four years following the closing of the purchase and the balance of $500,000 is payable by way of the 3% NSR production royalty. During the six months ended June 30, 2017 and from the inception of this lease the Company has paid $20,000 and $185,000, respectively.

 

d) a lease of unpatented federal lode mining and federal unpatented placer claims having an initial term of ten years commencing on March 28, 2007, and continuing for so long thereafter as advance minimum royalties are paid and mining related activities, including exploration, continue on the property or on adjacent properties controlled by the Company. The lease requires an advance minimum royalty of $15,000 on or before each anniversary date (all of which minimum royalties are recoverable from production royalties). The Company is required to pay the lessor the sum of $250,000 upon making a positive production decision, payable $125,000 within 120 days of the decision and $125,000 within a year of the decision (all of which are recoverable from production royalties). An NSR production royalty of 2% is payable to the lessor. The Company may purchase all of the interest of the lessor in the leased property (including the production royalty) for $1,000,000. During the six months ended June 30, 2017 and from the inception of this lease the Company has paid $15,000 and $128,000, respectively.

 

Title to mineral properties

 

The acquisition of title to mineral properties is a detailed and time-consuming process. The Company has taken steps to verify title to mineral properties in which it has an interest. Although the Company has taken every reasonable precaution to ensure that legal title to its properties is properly recorded in the name of the Company, there can be no assurance that such title will ultimately be secured.

 

5. ACCRUED LIABILITIES

 

The following table presents the accrued liabilities balances at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

 

   

June 30,

2017

    December 31,
2016
 
             
Accrued liabilities   $ 170,149     $ 41,682  
Accrued salaries and benefits     74,159       168,500  
Total accrued liabilities   $ 244,308     $ 210,182  

 

Accrued liabilities at June 30, 2017 include accruals for general corporate costs and project costs of $29,506 and $140,643, respectively. Accrued liabilities at December 31, 2016 include accruals for general corporate costs and project costs of $13,406 and $28,276, respectively.

 

6. DERIVATIVE LIABILITY

 

During 2011, the Company acquired certain mining claims and related rights in the vicinity of the Livengood Gold Project located near Fairbanks, Alaska. The aggregate consideration for the claims and rights was $13,500,000 in cash plus an additional payment based on the five-year average daily gold price (“Average Gold Price”) from the date of the acquisition (“Additional Payment”). The Additional Payment equaled $23,148 for every dollar that the Average Gold Price exceeded $720 per troy ounce. If the Average Gold Price were less than $720, there would not have been any additional consideration due.

 

  11  

 

 

INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.

(An Exploration Stage Company)

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016

(Expressed in US dollars – Unaudited)

 

At initial recognition on December 13, 2011 the derivative liability was valued at $23,100,000. As at December 12, 2016, the five-year average daily gold price was $1,354.79 resulting in a derivative liability of $14,694,169. The obligation to make the contingent payment was secured by a Deed of Trust over the rights of the Company in the purchased claims in favor of the vendors. On January 12, 2017, the Company paid $14,694,169 for the timely and full satisfaction of the final derivative payment.

 

7. SHARE CAPITAL

 

Authorized

 

500,000,000 Common Shares without par value. At December 31, 2016 and June 30, 2017 there were 162,186,972 shares issued and outstanding.

 

Share issuances

 

There were no share issuances during the six months ended June 30, 2017. On December 28, 2016, the Company closed a non-brokered private placement financing of 45,833,334 Common Shares at a price of $0.48 per share for gross proceeds of $22.0 million.

 

Obligation to issue shares

 

On May 24, 2017, the shareholders approved the issuance of Common Shares to the previous CEO for services rendered as CEO. On May 24, 2017, the Company recorded an obligation to issue 206,024 Common Shares valued at $99,492 (CAD $133,916). On July 13, 2017, the Company issued 206,024 Common Shares in full satisfaction of the obligation.

 

Deferred Share Unit Incentive Plan

 

On May 24, 2017 at the Company’s Annual General Meeting of Shareholders, a Deferred Share Unit Incentive Plan (“DSU Plan”) was approved.

 

As at June 30, 2017, the maximum aggregate number of Common Shares that could be issued under the DSU Plan and the 2006 Plan (as defined below) was 16,218,697, representing 10% of the number of issued and outstanding Common Shares on that date (on a non-diluted basis). As at June 30, 2017, the Company had stock options to potentially acquire 5,940,000 Common Shares outstanding under the 2006 Plan (representing approximately 3.66% of the outstanding Common Shares), leaving up to 10,278,697 Common Shares available for future grants under the DSU Plan and under the 2006 Plan (combined) based on the number of outstanding Common Shares as at that date on a non-diluted basis (representing an aggregate of approximately 6.34% of the outstanding Common Shares).

 

Stock options

 

The Company adopted an incentive stock option plan in 2006, as amended September 19, 2012 and reapproved on May 28, 2015 at the Company’s Annual General Meeting (the “2006 Plan”). The essential elements of the 2006 Plan provide that the aggregate number of Common Shares of the Company’s capital stock that may be made issuable pursuant to options granted under the 2006 Plan, together with shares under the DSU Plan, may not exceed 10% of the number of issued shares of the Company at the time of the granting of the options. Options granted under the 2006 Plan will have a maximum term of ten years. The exercise price of options granted under the 2006 Plan shall be fixed in compliance with the applicable provisions of the TSX Company Manual in force at the time of grant and, in any event, shall not be less than the closing price of the Company’s Common Shares on the TSX on the trading day immediately preceding the day on which the option is granted, or such other price as may be agreed to by the Company and accepted by the Toronto Stock Exchange. Options granted under the 2006 Plan vest immediately, unless otherwise determined by the directors at the date of grant.

 

  12  

 

 

INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.

(An Exploration Stage Company)

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016

(Expressed in US dollars – Unaudited)

 

During the six month period ended June 30, 2017, there were no incentive stock options granted by the Company.

 

A summary of the status of the stock option plan as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 and changes is presented below:

 

    Six Months Ended     Year Ended  
    June 30, 2017     December 31, 2016  
    Number of
Options
    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price (C$)
    Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
    Number of
Options
    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price (C$)
    Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
Balance, beginning of the period     6,026,200     $ 1.61     $ 183,930       6,066,200     $ 1.60     $ Nil  
Exercised     -       -       -       (40,000 )     0.50       29,600  
Forfeited     (86,200 )     1.46       4,368       -       -       -  
Balance, end of the period     5,940,000     $ 1.61     $ 78,840       6,026,200     $ 1.61     $ 183,930  

  

Stock options outstanding are as follows:

 

    June 30, 2017     December 31, 2016  
Expiry Date   Exercise
Price (C$)
    Number of
Options
    Exercisable     Exercise
Price (C$)
    Number of
Options
    Exercisable  
August 24, 2017   $ 3.17       1,650,000       1,650,000     $ 3.17       1,675,000       1,675,000  
March 14, 2018   $ 2.18       313,000       313,000     $ 2.18       319,000       319,000  
February 25, 2022   $ 1.11       1,030,000       1,030,000     $ 1.11       1,030,000       1,030,000  
February 25, 2022   $ 0.73       570,000       570,000     $ 0.73       594,000       594,000  
March 10, 2022   $ 1.11       430,000       430,000     $ 1.11       430,000       430,000  
March 16, 2023   $ 1.00       1,260,000       1,260,000     $ 1.00       1,260,000       839,999  
March 16, 2023   $ 0.50       657,000       657,000     $ 0.50       688,200       445,466  
June 9, 2023   $ 1.00       30,000       30,000     $ 1.00       30,000       20,000  
              5,940,000       5,940,000               6,026,200       5,353,465  

 

A summary of the non-vested options as of June 30, 2017 and changes during the six months ended June 30, 2017 is as follows:

 

Non-vested options:   Number of
options
    Weighted
average grant-
date fair value
(C$)
 
             
Outstanding at December 31, 2016     672,735     $ 0.25  
Vested     (672,735 )   $ 0.25  
Outstanding at June 30, 2017     -       -  

 

At June 30, 2017 there was no unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested options outstanding.

 

Share-based payments

 

During the six month period ended June 30, 2017, there were no incentive stock options granted by the Company. Share-based payment charges for the six months ended June 30, 2017 totaled $13,127.

 

  13  

 

 

INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.

(An Exploration Stage Company)

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016

(Expressed in US dollars – Unaudited)

 

During the six month period ended June 30, 2016, there were no incentive stock options granted by the Company. Share-based payment charges for the six months ended June 30, 2016 totaled $76,295.

 

The following weighted average assumptions were used for the Black-Scholes option pricing model calculations:

 

    YTD December 31,
2015
 
Expected life of options     6 years  
Risk-free interest rate     0.97 %
Annualized volatility     80.60 %
Dividend rate     0.00 %
Exercise price (C$)   $ 0.80  

 

The expected volatility used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s shares.

 

8. SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

 

The Company operates in a single reportable segment, being the exploration and development of mineral properties. The following tables present selected financial information by geographic location:

 

    Canada     United States     Total  
June 30, 2017                        
Capitalized acquisition costs   $ -     $ 55,204,041     $ 55,204,041  
Property and equipment     8,729       14,074       22,803  
Current assets     4,269,502       602,549       4,872,051  
Total assets   $ 4,278,231     $ 55,820,664     $ 60,098,895  
December 31, 2016                        
Capitalized acquisition costs   $ -     $ 55,204,041     $ 55,204,041  
Property and equipment     8,944       15,856       24,800  
Current assets     22,289,678       383,036       22,672,714  
Total assets   $ 22,298,622     $ 55,602,933     $ 77,901,555  

 

Three months ended   June 30, 2017     June 30, 2016  
Net loss for the period – Canada   $ (333,167 )   $ (248,679 )
Net loss for the period - United States     (1,294,479 )     (1,820,171 )
Net loss for the period   $ (1,627,646 )   $ (2,068,850 )

 

Six months ended   June 30, 2017     June 30, 2016  
Net loss for the period – Canada   $ (762,987 )   $ (638,607 )
Net loss for the period - United States     (2,542,636 )     (3,917,699 )
Net loss for the period   $ (3,305,623 )   $ (4,556,306 )

 

  14  

 

 

INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.

(An Exploration Stage Company)

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016

(Expressed in US dollars – Unaudited)

 

9. COMMITMENTS

 

The following table discloses, as of June 30, 2017, the Company’s contractual obligations including anticipated mineral property payments. Under the terms of the Company’s mineral property purchase agreements, mineral leases and the terms of the unpatented mineral claims held by it, the Company is required to make certain scheduled acquisition payments, incur certain levels of expenditures, make lease or advance royalty payments, make payments to government authorities and incur assessment work expenditures as summarized in the table below in order to maintain and preserve the Company’s interests in the related mineral properties. If the Company is unable or unwilling to make any such payments or incur any such expenditure, it is likely that the Company would lose or forfeit its rights to acquire or hold the related mineral properties. The following table assumes that the Company retains the rights to all of its current mineral properties, but does not exercise any lease purchase or royalty buyout options:

 

    Payments Due by Year  
    2017     2018     2019     2020     2021     2022 and
beyond
    Total  
Mineral Property Leases (1)   $ -     $ 424,668     $ 429,688     $ 434,783     $ 439,955     $ 445,204     $ 2,174,298  
Mining Claim Government Fees     114,925       114,925       114,925       114,925       114,925       114,925       689,550  
Total   $ 114,925     $ 539,593     $ 544,613     $ 549,708     $ 554,880     $ 560,129     $ 2,863,848  

 

1. Does not include required work expenditures, as it is assumed that the required expenditure level is significantly below the level of work that will actually be carried out by the Company. Does not include potential royalties that may be payable (other than annual minimum royalty payments). See Note 4.

 

10. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

In December 2011, in accordance with a Stock and Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) between the Company, Alaska/Nevada Gold Mines, Ltd. (“AN Gold Mines”) and the Heflinger Group, the Company acquired certain mining claims and related rights in the vicinity of the Livengood Gold Project located near Fairbanks, Alaska. The Company’s derivative liability, as described in Note 6 above, represented the remaining consideration for the purchase of these claims and related rights and was paid in January 2017. Under the Agreement, the payment was made 70% to AN Gold Mines and 30% to the Heflinger Group.

 

Mr. Hanneman was appointed Chief Operating Officer of the Company on March 26, 2015 and subsequently appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective January 31, 2017. Mr. Hanneman is a partner of the general partner, as well as a limited partner, of AN Gold Mines and holds an 11.9% net interest in AN Gold Mines.

 

In December 2016, the Company closed a non-brokered private placement financing through the issuance of 32,429,842 shares to Paulson & Co. Inc., 9,041,554 shares to Tocqueville Asset Management, L.P., and 4,361,938 shares to AngloGold Ashanti (U.S.A.) Exploration Inc. at a price of $ 0.48 per share. As at December 31, 2016, Paulson, Tocqueville, and AngloGold beneficially own approximately 34.2%, 19.4%, and 9.5% respectively of the Company's 162,186,972 Common Shares.

 

In May 2017, the Company recognized an obligation to issue 206,024 Common Shares to the Company’s previous CEO, Tom Irwin, with a value of $99,492. See Note 7.

 

At June 30, 2017, accounts payable and accrued liabilities included related party costs of $8,250 and $6,229, respectively

 

  15  

 

 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. All currency amounts are stated in US dollars unless noted otherwise.

 

Current Business Activities

 

General

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2017 and to the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company progressed on a number of opportunities with the potential for optimization and reducing the costs of building and operating a mine at the Project.

 

Livengood Gold Project – NI 43-101 Report of 2016 Pre-feasibility Study Results

 

The Company announced the results of a Pre-feasibility Study (“2016 PFS”) on September 8, 2016. On October 24, 2016, the Company filed a technical report on SEDAR entitled “NI 43-101 Technical Report Pre-feasibility Study of the Livengood Gold Project, Livengood, Alaska, USA” dated October 24, 2016 (“October Report”) that summarized the results of the 2016 PFS on the Livengood Gold Project.

 

During the first quarter, it was determined that the calculation of All In Sustaining Costs for the Livengood Project (“AISC”), as contained in Table 22-2 on page 22-6 of the October Report, was incorrect as it included, contrary to World Gold Council guidance, both initial capital costs and mining and income taxes in the AISC calculation. The Company issued a news release on March 8, 2017 advising that as a result of the restatement, the AISC for the Livengood Gold Project (the “Project”) located near Fairbanks, Alaska, is projected to be $976/oz. Subsequently, on April 10, 2017, the Company filed an updated technical report on SEDAR entitled “NI 43-101 Technical Report Pre-feasibility Study of the Livengood Gold Project, Livengood, Alaska, USA” dated March 8, 2017 and signed April 10, 2017 (“April Report”) reflecting the following changes:

 

1. The AISC calculation has been corrected to be in accordance with World Gold Council guidance, and a corrected Table 22-2 has been included. The corrected AISC number has also been included in Table 1-11 on page 1-24. Where appropriate, text changes have been made to reflect the correct numbers now shown in the tables.

 

2. On January 12, 2017, the Company paid USD $14.7 million for the timely and full satisfaction of the final derivative payment due with respect to the acquisition of certain mining claims and related rights in the vicinity of the Livengood Project and the Company is now in full ownership and has no further liability with respect to this acquisition. The disclosure regarding the Livengood Property Description and Location in section 4.1.7, pages 4-5 and 4-6, has been updated accordingly.

 

Management Changes

 

On January 26, 2017, the ITH Board approved a management transition plan, which was implemented on January 31, 2017, in which Karl Hanneman, previously the Chief Operating Officer (COO), became the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), managing both the CEO and COO responsibilities, and Tom Irwin, the previous CEO, transitioned into a part-time position of Senior Advisor prior to his being considered for nomination to the Board at the Company’s May 2017 Annual General Meeting (AGM). On May 24, 2017, the shareholders elected Tom Irwin as a director of the Company.

 

Issuance of Common Shares

 

On January 1, 2014, Thomas Irwin was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Prior to that he was the Vice President of the Company from August 2012 to December 2013, and was Alaska General Manager from January 2012 to August 2012. Mr. Irwin originally joined the Company as the Livengood Project Construction Manager in March 2011. During his tenure at the Company, Mr. Irwin assumed greater and greater responsibility for the progress of the Livengood Project, and, as CEO, successfully spearheaded the completion of the initial stage of the optimization process that produced the Company’s 2016 PFS. In addition, Mr. Irwin successfully negotiated and closed two significant financings allowing the Company to continue the optimization work at Livengood and to retire the outstanding derivative payment which resulted in the Company securing a strategic land package at the Livengood Project.

 

  16  

 

 

During Mr. Irwin’s tenure as CEO, his employment contract provided for a target bonus equal to 100% of his annual base salary. However, as a consequence of the Company’s cash position in a down market, and the desire to fully fund the optimization studies on the Livengood Project, Mr. Irwin was, based on his recommendation, not awarded a bonus for any of the fiscal years during which he served as Chief Executive Officer.

 

Upon his transition to Senior Adviser on January 31, 2017, the Compensation Committee approved, and the Board voted to award to Mr. Irwin, subject to shareholder and regulatory approval, a one-time payment of $175,000, to be settled in Common Shares, in recognition of the exemplary efforts of Mr. Irwin on behalf of the Company during his tenure as CEO. Based on the USD-CAD exchange rate (USD 1.00 = CAD 1.3030), and the 5-day volume weighted average price of the Common Shares on the TSX (CAD 0.859), both as at January 31, 2017, the number of Common Shares to be issued to Mr. Irwin is 265,454 (less the number of Common Shares equivalent to any amounts required to be withheld under statutory withholding requirements). The 265,454 Common Shares represent 0.16% of the currently outstanding Common Shares. Mr. Irwin also received a monthly payment of $5,000 in his position as Senior Advisor.

 

Because the issuance to Mr. Irwin is (a) a security-based compensation arrangement, (b) to an insider and (c) not pursuant to a security based compensation arrangement previously approved by the shareholders of the Company, the TSX and the NYSE-MKT both require that such issuance be subject to shareholder approval. At the Company’s 2017 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders held in Vancouver, B.C. on May 24, 2017, the shareholders approved the proposed issuance of Common Shares to Mr. Irwin as a one-time payment associated with his transition to Senior Advisor.

 

Subsequent to shareholder approval of the one-time payment on May 24, 2017, the Company recognized an obligation to issue 206,024 shares with a value of $99,492 based on the USD-CAD exchange rate (USD 1.00 = CAD 1.3460) and the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX (CAD 0.650), both as at May 24, 2017. On July 13, 2017, a certificate for 206,024 Common Shares was issued to Mr. Irwin.

 

Deferred Share Unit Incentive Plan

 

On April 4, 2017, the Company adopted a Deferred Share Unit Plan (the “DSU Plan”). On May 24, 2017, at the Company’s Annual General Meeting of Shareholders, the DSU Plan was approved.

 

The purpose of the DSU Plan is to allow the Company to grant deferred share units (“DSUs”), each of which is a unit that is equivalent in value to a Common Share, to directors, officers and employees of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company (“Eligible Persons”) in recognition of their contributions and to provide for an incentive for their continuing relationship with the Company. The granting of such DSUs is intended to promote a greater alignment of the interests of Eligible Persons with the interests of shareholders.

 

As at June 30, 2017, the maximum aggregate number of Common Shares that could be issued under the DSU Plan and the 2006 Plan was 16,218,697, representing 10% of the number of issued and outstanding Common Shares on that date (on a non-diluted basis). As at June 30, 2017, the Company had stock options to potentially acquire 5,940,000 Common Shares outstanding under the 2006 Plan (representing approximately 3.66% of the outstanding Common Shares), leaving up to 10,278,697 Common Shares available for future grants under the DSU Plan and under the 2006 Plan (combined) based on the number of outstanding Common Shares as at that date on a non-diluted basis (representing an aggregate of approximately 6.34% of the outstanding Common Shares).

 

Other Developments

 

On January 12, 2017, the Company paid $14.7 million for the timely and full satisfaction of the final derivative payment due with respect to acquisition of certain mining claims and related rights in the vicinity of the Livengood Gold Project. On January 17, 2017, the Full Deed of Reconveyance releasing the Deed of Trust on the acquired property was recorded and the Company now fully owns this property and has no further liability with respect to this acquisition.

 

In connection with the Company’s $22.0 million private placement completed on December 28, 2016, the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”) commenced a de-listing review with respect to the Company. On April 7, 2017, the TSX issued a bulletin confirming that it had completed its review and that the Company meets the TSX’s continuous listing requirements.

 

Next Steps and Opportunities

 

2017 Work Program

 

On January 23, 2017 the Board approved a 2017 budget of $6.3 million. The work program incorporated in this budget will seek to build upon the Project improvements announced with the 2016 PFS, focusing on improving the mineralization and alteration models used to support the resource block model, evaluating alternative block models for production schedule opportunities, and completion of several phases of metallurgical work to better define and optimize the flowsheet and recovery parameters. The 2017 work program has been specifically designed to target those aspects of the Project that could deliver the highest NPV increase for the least engineering expenditure. Preliminary work in 2016 on the block model and metallurgical recovery variability indicates a potential NPV benefit of up to $280 million and $100 million respectively.

 

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However, the Company cautions that, until this multi-phase metallurgical program and the updated block model are completed and the results thereof are incorporated into a revised financial model, there can be no assurance that the overall recovery increases, potential process optimizations, or block model improvements, will, in fact, be realized, or that any such increases, optimizations or improvements will have the overall effect suggested above .

 

During the quarter, work progressed on schedule on the 2017 program. New multi-element assay data from approximately 20,000 pulps have been incorporated into the project geologic model. Consultants are progressing on alternative block models and support for refinement of the project multiple indicator kriging (MIK) resource model. SGS Vancouver is proceeding with metallurgical work. The engineering firm of BBA Inc., who provided support for the 2016 PFS, is engaged to provide oversight on the 2017 program.

 

The Company has sufficient funds to complete the test programs and engineering work underway.

 

Results of Operations

 

Summary of Quarterly Results

 

Description   June 30, 2017     March 31, 2017     December 31, 2016     September 30, 2016  
Net loss   $ (1,627,646 )   $ (1,677,977 )   $ (1,109,733 )   $ (1,524,589 )
Basic and diluted net loss per common share   $ (0.01 )   $ (0.01 )   $ (0.01 )   $ (0.01 )

 

    June 30, 2016     March 31, 2016     December 31, 2015     September 30, 2015  
Net loss   $ (2,068,850 )   $ (2,487,456 )   $ (1,119,972 )   $ (1,007,489 )
Basic and diluted net loss per common share   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.01 )   $ (0.01 )

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2017 compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2016

 

The Company incurred a net loss of $1,627,646 for the three month period ended June 30, 2017, compared to a net loss of $2,068,850 for the three month period ended June 30, 2016.

 

Mineral property expenditures decreased $511,273 to $668,389 for the three months ended June 30, 2017 from $1,179,662 for the three months ended June 30, 2016 due to the differences in the scope of technical work completed during the periods.

 

Consulting fees were $74,080 for the three month period ended June 30, 2017 compared to $63,497 for the three month period ended June 30, 2016. The increase of $10,583 is due primarily to increased media support services.

 

Professional fees were $64,899 for the three month period ended June 30, 2017, compared to $49,116 for the three month period ended June 30, 2016. The increase of $15,783 is due primarily to legal fees related to further work in connection with property matters.

 

Excluding share-based payment charges of $Nil and $11,051, respectively, wages and benefits for the three months ended June 30, 2017 increased $68,696 to $579,570 from $510,874 for the three months ended June 30, 2016 primarily due to the previous CEO stock issuance and severance for one staff reduction partially offset by lower payroll costs related to staffing changes.

 

Share-based payment charges

 

Share-based payment charges for the three month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 were allocated as follows:

 

Expense category:   June 30, 2017     June 30, 2016  
Consulting   $ 168     $ 3,588  
Investor relations     -       1,005  
Wages and benefits     -       11,051  
    $ 168     $ 15,644  

 

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Share-based payment charges were $168 during the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to $15,644 during the three months ended June 30, 2016. The decrease of $15,476 in share-based payment charges during the period was mainly the result of options granted becoming fully expensed.

 

Most other expense categories reflected moderate increases or decreases period over period reflecting the Company’s efforts to maintain or reduce spending.

 

Other items amounted to a loss of $48,682 during the three month period ended June 30, 2017 compared to a loss of $61,227 during the three month period ended June 30, 2016. On January 12, 2017, the Company paid the final derivative payment due so there was no total other gain or loss for the three month period ended June 30, 2017 compared to the unrealized loss on the revaluation of the derivative liability of $100,000 caused by the increase in the price per ounce of gold during the three month period ended June 30, 2016. The Company had a foreign exchange loss of $78,001 during the three month period ended June 30, 2017 compared to a gain of $2,098 during the three month period ended June 30, 2016 as a result of the impact of exchange rates on certain of the Company’s U.S. dollar cash balances. The average exchange rate during the three month period ended June 30, 2017 was C$1 to US$0.7437 compared to C$1 to US$0.7761 for the three month period ended June 30, 2016.

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2016

 

The Company incurred a net loss of $3,305,623 for the six month period ended June 30, 2017, compared to a net loss of $4,556,306 for the six month period ended June 30, 2016.

 

Mineral property expenditures decreased $596,662 to $1,379,505 for the six months ended June 30, 2017 from $1,976,167 for the six months ended June 30, 2016 due to the differences in the scope of technical work completed during the periods.

 

Consulting fees were $146,775 for the six month period ended June 30, 2017 compared to $136,687 for the six month period ended June 30, 2016. The increase of $10,088 is due primarily to increased media support services.

 

Professional fees were $115,118 for the six month period ended June 30, 2017, compared to $91,950 for the six month period ended June 30, 2016. The increase of $23,168 is due primarily to increased legal fees related to further work in connection with property matters.

 

Regulatory costs were $74,696 for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to $57,974 for the six months ended June 30, 2016. The increase of $16,722 is primarily due to higher market listing fees as a result of the Company’s increased market capitalization and increased SEDAR filing fees.

 

Investor relations costs were $63,248 for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to $49,387 for the six months ended June 30, 2016. The increase of $13,861 is primarily due to increased newswire services and increased costs for the 2017 Annual General Meeting materials.

 

Excluding share-based payment charges of $9,322 and $53,654, respectively, wages and benefits for the six months ended June 30, 2017 decreased $11,847 to $1,026,662 from $1,038,509 for the six months ended June 30, 2016 primarily due to lower payroll costs related to staffing changes partially offset by the previous CEO stock issuance and severance for one staff reduction.

 

Share-based payment charges

 

Share-based payment charges for the six month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 were allocated as follows:

 

Expense category:   June 30, 2017     June 30, 2016  
Consulting   $ 2,957     $ 18,154  
Investor relations     848       4,487  
Wages and benefits     9,322       53,654  
    $ 13,127     $ 76,295  

 

Share-based payment charges were $13,127 during the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to $76,295 during the six months ended June 30, 2016. The decrease of $63,168 in share-based payment charges during the period was mainly the result of options granted becoming fully expensed.

 

Most other expense categories reflected moderate increases or decreases period over period reflecting the Company’s efforts to maintain or reduce spending.

 

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Other items amounted to a loss of $203,945 during the six month period ended June 30, 2017 compared to a loss of $878,269 during the six month period ended June 30, 2016. On January 12, 2017, the Company paid the final derivative payment due so there was no total other gain or loss for the six month period ended June 30, 2017 compared to the unrealized loss on the revaluation of the derivative liability of $800,000 caused by the increase in the price per ounce of gold during the six month period ended June 30, 2016. The Company had a foreign exchange loss of $244,125 during the six month period ended June 30, 2017 compared to a loss of $121,764 during the six month period ended June 30, 2016 as a result of the impact of exchange rates on certain of the Company’s U.S. dollar cash balances. The average exchange rate during the six month period ended June 30, 2017 was C$1 to US$0.7496 compared to C$1 to US$0.7518 for the six month period ended June 30, 2016.

 

Liquidity Risk and Capital Resources

 

The Company has no revenue generating operations from which it can internally generate funds. To date, the Company’s ongoing operations have been predominantly financed through sale of its equity securities by way of private placements and the subsequent exercise of share purchase and broker warrants and options issued in connection with such private placements. However, the exercise of warrants/options is dependent primarily on the market price and overall market liquidity of the Company’s securities at or near the expiry date of such warrants/options (over which the Company has no control) and therefore there can be no guarantee that any existing warrants/options will be exercised. There are currently no warrants outstanding.

 

As at June 30, 2017, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $4,521,972 compared to $22,466,493 at December 31, 2016. The decrease of approximately $17.9 million during the six month period ended June 30, 2017 resulted mainly from financing activities of approximately $14.7 million, expenditures on the Livengood Gold Project of approximately $3.0 million, and a negative foreign currency translation impact of approximately $0.2 million.

 

Financing activities during the six month period ended June 30, 2017 included payment of the final derivative payment of approximately $14.7 million and share issuance costs related to a non-brokered private placement of Common Shares in December 2014 of $45,000. The Company had no cash flows from financing activities during the six month period ended June 30, 2016.

 

The Company had no cash flows from investing activities during the six month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.

 

As at June 30, 2017, the Company had working capital of $4,604,793 compared to working capital of $7,588,867 at December 31, 2016. The Company expects that it will operate at a loss for the foreseeable future, but believes the current working capital will be sufficient for it to complete its anticipated 2017 work plan at the Livengood Gold Project and satisfy its currently anticipated general and administrative costs through the 2017 fiscal year. To advance the Livengood Gold Project towards permitting and development, the Company anticipates maintaining certain essential development activities for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017. These essential activities include maintaining environmental baseline data that in its absence could materially delay future permitting of the Livengood Gold Project.

 

The Company will require significant additional financing to continue its operations (including general and administrative expenses) in connection with advancing activities at the Livengood Gold Project and the development of any mine that may be determined to be built at the Livengood Gold Project, and there is no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain the additional financing required on acceptable terms, if at all. In addition, any significant delays in the issuance of required permits for the ongoing work at the Livengood Gold Project, or unexpected results in connection with the ongoing work, could result in the Company being required to raise additional funds to advance permitting efforts. The Company’s review of its financing options includes pursuing a future strategic alliance to assist in further development, permitting and future construction costs, although there can be no assurance that any such strategic alliance will, in fact, be realized.

 

Despite the Company’s success to date in raising significant equity financing to fund its operations, there is significant uncertainty that the Company will be able to secure any additional financing in the current or future equity markets. See “Risk Factors – We will require additional financing to fund exploration and, if warranted, development and production. Failure to obtain additional financing could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operation and could cast uncertainty on our ability to continue as a going concern” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016. The quantity of funds to be raised and the terms of any proposed equity financing that may be undertaken will be negotiated by management as opportunities to raise funds arise. Specific plans related to the use of proceeds will be devised once financing has been completed and management knows what funds will be available for these purposes. Due to this uncertainty, if the Company is unable to secure additional financing, it may be required to reduce all discretionary activities at the Project to preserve its working capital to fund anticipated non-discretionary expenditures beyond the 2017 fiscal year.

 

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Other than cash held by its subsidiaries for their immediate operating needs in the United States, all of the Company’s cash reserves are on deposit with a major Canadian chartered bank. The Company does not believe that the credit, liquidity or market risks with respect thereto have increased as a result of the current market conditions.

 

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

 

The following table discloses, as of June 30, 2017, the Company’s contractual obligations including anticipated mineral property payments. Under the terms of the Company’s mineral property purchase agreements, mineral leases and the terms of the unpatented mineral claims held by it, the Company is required to make certain scheduled acquisition payments, incur certain levels of expenditures, make lease or advance royalty payments, make payments to government authorities and incur assessment work expenditures as summarized in the table below in order to maintain and preserve the Company’s interests in the related mineral properties. If the Company is unable or unwilling to make any such payments or incur any such expenditure, it is likely that the Company would lose or forfeit its rights to acquire or hold the related mineral properties. The following table assumes that the Company retains the rights to all of its current mineral properties, but does not exercise any lease purchase or royalty buyout options:

 

    Payments Due by Year  
    2017     2018     2019     2020     2021     2022 and
beyond
    Total  
Mineral Property Leases (1)   $ -     $ 424,668     $ 429,688     $ 434,783     $ 439,955     $ 445,204     $ 2,174,298  
Mining Claim Government Fees     114,925       114,925       114,925       114,925       114,925       114,925       689,550  
Total   $ 114,925     $ 539,593     $ 544,613     $ 549,708     $ 554,880     $ 560,129     $ 2,863,848  

 

1. Does not include required work expenditures, as it is assumed that the required expenditure level is significantly below the level of work that will actually be carried out by the Company. Does not include potential royalties that may be payable (other than annual minimum royalty payments).

 

Other – Related Party Transactions

 

In December 2011, in accordance with a Stock and Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) between the Company, Alaska/Nevada Gold Mines, Ltd. (“AN Gold Mines”) and the Heflinger Group, the Company acquired certain mining claims and related rights in the vicinity of the Livengood Gold Project located near Fairbanks, Alaska. The Company’s derivative liability, as described in Note 6 to the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, represented the remaining consideration for the purchase of these claims and related rights and was paid in January 2017. Under the Agreement, the payment was made 70% to AN Gold Mines and 30% to the Heflinger Group.

 

Mr. Hanneman was appointed Chief Operating Officer of the Company on March 26, 2015 and subsequently appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective January 31, 2017. Mr. Hanneman is a partner of the general partner, as well as a limited partner, of AN Gold Mines and holds an 11.9% net interest in AN Gold Mines.

 

In December 2016, the Company closed a non-brokered private placement financing through the issuance of 32,429,842 shares to Paulson & Co. Inc., 9,041,554 shares to Tocqueville Asset Management, L.P., and 4,361,938 shares to AngloGold Ashanti (U.S.A.) Exploration Inc. at a price of $ 0.48 per share. As at December 31, 2016, Paulson, Tocqueville, and AngloGold beneficially own approximately 34.2%, 19.4%, and 9.5% respectively of the Company's 162,186,972 common shares.

 

On January 1, 2014, Thomas Irwin was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Prior to that he was the Vice President of the Company from August 2012 to December 2013, and was Alaska General Manager from January 2012 to August 2012. Mr. Irwin originally joined the Company as the Livengood Project Construction Manager in March 2011. During his tenure at the Company, Mr. Irwin assumed greater and greater responsibility for the progress of the Livengood Project, and, as CEO, successfully spearheaded the completion of the initial stage of the optimization process that produced the Company’s 2016 PFS. In addition, Mr. Irwin successfully negotiated and closed two significant financings allowing the Company to continue the optimization work at Livengood and to retire the outstanding derivative payment which resulted in the Company securing a strategic land package at the Livengood Project.

 

During Mr. Irwin’s tenure as CEO, his employment contract provided for a target bonus equal to 100% of his annual base salary. However, as a consequence of the Company’s cash position in a down market, and the desire to fully fund the optimization studies on the Livengood Project, Mr. Irwin was, based on his recommendation, not awarded a bonus for any of the fiscal years during which he served as Chief Executive Officer.

 

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Upon his transition to Senior Adviser on January 31, 2017, the Compensation Committee approved, and the Board voted to award to Mr. Irwin, subject to shareholder and regulatory approval, a one-time payment of $175,000, to be settled in Common Shares, in recognition of the exemplary efforts of Mr. Irwin on behalf of the Company during his tenure as CEO. Based on the USD-CAD exchange rate (USD 1.00 = CAD 1.3030), and the 5-day volume weighted average price of the Common Shares on the TSX (CAD 0.859), both as at January 31, 2017, the number of Common Shares to be issued to Mr. Irwin is 265,454 (less the number of Common Shares equivalent to any amounts required to be withheld under statutory withholding requirements). The 265,454 Common Shares represent 0.16% of the currently outstanding Common Shares. Mr. Irwin also received a monthly payment of $5,000 in his position as Senior Advisor.

 

Because the issuance to Mr. Irwin is (a) a security-based compensation arrangement, (b) to an insider and (c) not pursuant to a security based compensation arrangement previously approved by the shareholders of the Company, the TSX and the NYSE-MKT both require that such issuance be subject to shareholder approval. At the Company’s 2017 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders held in Vancouver, B.C. on May 24, 2017, the shareholders approved the proposed issuance of Common Shares to Mr. Irwin as a one-time payment associated with his transition to Senior Advisor.

 

Subsequent to shareholder approval of the one-time payment on May 24, 2017, the Company recognized an obligation to issue 206,024 shares with a value of $99,492 based on the USD-CAD exchange rate (USD 1.00 = CAD 1.3460) and the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX (CAD 0.650), both as at May 24, 2017. On July 13, 2017, a certificate for 206,024 Common Shares was issued to Mr. Irwin.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

The Company does not have any off balance sheet arrangements.

 

Environmental Regulations

 

The operations of the Company may in the future be affected from time to time in varying degrees by changes in environmental regulations, including those for future removal and site restoration costs. Both the likelihood of new regulations and their overall effect upon the Company vary greatly and are not predictable. The Company’s policy is to meet or, if possible, surpass standards set by relevant legislation by application of technically proven and economically feasible measures.

 

Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for U.S. Holders

 

The Company has been a “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes in recent years and expects to continue to be a PFIC in the future.  Current and prospective U.S. shareholders should consult their tax advisors as to the tax consequences of PFIC classification and the U.S. federal tax treatment of PFICs.  Additional information on this matter is included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, under “Part II. Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities - Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for U.S. Holders.”

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

As of June 30, 2017, an evaluation was carried out under the supervision of and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act). Based on the evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of June 30, 2017, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted to the SEC under the Exchange Act: (i) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in applicable rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, in a manner that allows for timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

 

The effectiveness of our or any system of disclosure controls and procedures, however well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance that the objectives of the system will be met and is subject to certain limitations, including the exercise of judgement in designing, implementing and evaluating controls and procedures and the assumptions used in identifying the likelihood of future events.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

In addition to the information set forth in this Form 10-Q, you should carefully consider the risk factors previously disclosed in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 under the heading “Risk Factors.”

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. This assumes continuing operations and the realization of assets and liabilities in the normal course of business.

 

As at June 30, 2017, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $4,521,972 compared to $22,466,493 at December 31, 2016. The Company has no revenue generating operations from which it can internally generate funds. On January 12, 2017, the Company paid $14,694,169 for the timely and full satisfaction of the final derivative payment due with respect to the acquisition of certain mining claims and related rights in the vicinity of the Livengood Gold Project.

 

The Company will require significant additional financing to continue its operations in connection with advancing activities at the Livengood Gold Project and for the development of any mine that may be determined to be built at the Livengood Gold Project. In addition, any significant delays in the issuance of required permits for the ongoing work at the Livengood Gold Project, or unexpected results in connection with the ongoing work, could result in the Company being required to raise additional funds to advance permitting efforts. The Company’s review of its financing options includes pursuing a future strategic alliance to assist in further development, permitting and future construction costs.

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Pursuant to Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act, issuers that are operators, or that have a subsidiary that is an operator, of a coal or other mine in the United States are required to disclose specified information about mine health and safety in their periodic reports. These reporting requirement are based on the safety and health requirements applicable to mines under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (the “Mine Act”) which is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”). During the three month period ended June 30, 2017, the Company and its subsidiaries were not subject to regulation by MSHA under the Mine Act and thus no disclosure is required under Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act.

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Not applicable.

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

10.1 Agreement, dated May 30, 2017, between Thomas Irwin and Tower Hill Mines (US) LLC.
   
10.2 International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. 2017 Deferred Share Unit Plan.
   
31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
32.1 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
32.2 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
101 Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Interim Balance Sheets at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the Three and Six Months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, and (v) the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

International Tower Hill Mines Ltd.

 

By: /s/ Karl L. Hanneman  
  Karl L. Hanneman  
  Chief Executive Officer  
  (Principal Executive Officer)  
   
Date: August 11, 2017  
     
By: /s/ David Cross  
  David Cross  
  Chief Financial Officer  
  (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)  
   
Date: August 11, 2017  

 

  26  

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.

 

2017 DEFERRED SHARE UNIT INCENTIVE PLAN

 

Dated for Reference April 4, 2017

 

Article 1
INTRODUCTION

 

1.1 Purpose

 

The purpose of this Plan is to recognize contributions made by Directors, Officers and Employees and to provide for an incentive for their continuing relationship with International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. and its Subsidiaries.

 

Article 2
INTERPRETATION

 

2.1 Definitions

 

For purposes of the Plan:

 

(a) Account ” means an account maintained by the Corporation for each Participant and which shall be credited by means of a book-keeping entry with DSUs that are granted in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the applicable DSU Agreements;

 

(b) Applicable Withholding Amounts ” is defined in Section 4.11(b) of the Plan;

 

(c) Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Corporation as may be constituted from time to time;

 

(d) Cash Option DSUs ” is defined in Section 4.1(a)(ii) of the Plan;

 

(e) Cash Payment ” means a cash payment equal to (i) the number of DSUs in respect of which the applicable Participant has elected to receive a cash payment in lieu of Payment Shares pursuant to Section 4.8 multiplied by (ii) the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Distribution Date;

 

(f) Cash Settlement Notice ” is defined in Section 4.8 of the Plan;

 

(g) Committee ” means the Compensation Committee of the Board or such other committee of the Board as may be appointed by the Board to administer the Plan; provided, however, that if no such committee is in existence at any particular time and the Board has not appointed another committee of the Board to administer the Plan, all references in the Plan to “Committee” shall at such time be in reference to the Board;

 

(h) Corporation ” means International Tower Hill Mines Ltd.;

 

(i) Director ” means a director of the Corporation or a Subsidiary of the Corporation;

 

(j) Distribution Date ” is defined in Section 4.6 of the Plan;

 

 

 

 

(k) Distribution Date Notice ” is defined in Section 4.6 of the Plan;

 

(l) Dividend Equivalents ” is defined in Section 4.4 of the Plan;

 

(m) DSU ” means a unit equivalent in value to a Share, credited by means of a bookkeeping entry in the books of the Corporation in accordance with Article 4;

 

(n) DSU Agreement ” is defined in Section 4.2 of the Plan;

 

(o) Eligible Person ” means any person who is a Director, Officer or Employee;

 

(p) Employee ” means an employee of the Corporation or a Subsidiary of the Corporation, other than an Officer;

 

(q) Fair Market Value ” of a Share, as at any date, means the weighted average of the prices at which the Shares traded on the TSX (or, if the Shares are not then listed and posted for trading on the TSX or are then listed and posted for trading on more than one stock exchange, on such stock exchange on which the majority of the trading volume of the Shares occurs) for the five (5) trading days on which the Shares traded on such exchange immediately preceding such date. In the event that the Shares are not listed and posted for trading on any stock exchange, the Fair Market Value of a Common Share shall be the fair market value of a Share as determined by the Board in its discretion, acting reasonably and in good faith;

 

(r) Insider ” means an “insider” as that term is defined in Part I of the TSX Company Manual;

 

(s) Officer ” means an officer of the Corporation or a Subsidiary of the Corporation;

 

(t) Participant ” means an Eligible Person to whom a grant of DSUs is made in accordance with the Plan;

 

(u) Payment Shares ” is defined in Section 4.7(a) of the Plan;

 

(v) Person ” means any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, firm, entity, unincorporated association, unincorporated syndicate, unincorporated organization, trust, body corporate, fund, organization or other group of organized persons, government, government regulatory authority, governmental department, agency, commission, board, tribunal, dispute settlement panel or body, bureau, court, and where the context requires any of the foregoing when they are acting as trustee, executor, administrator or other legal representative;

 

(w) Plan ” means this Deferred Share Unit Incentive Plan as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time;

 

(x) Security Based Compensation Arrangement ” means a “security based compensation agreement” as that term is defined in Part VI of the TSX Company Manual;

 

 

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(y) Separation Date ” means, in respect of a Participant, the date on which such Participant Terminated Service, and, for greater certainty, the Separation Date shall not be delayed or otherwise affected by any deemed notice periods or extensions of leave or salary and benefits;

 

(z) Share ” means a common share without par value in the capital of the Corporation or, in the event of an adjustment contemplated by Section 4.9, such other number or type of securities as the Committee may determine;

 

(aa) Subsidiary ” means a “subsidiary” as that term is defined in the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia);

 

(bb) Terminated Service ” means that the Participant has ceased to hold any office as a Director, Officer or Employee, including as a result of disability or death;

 

(cc) TSX ” means the Toronto Stock Exchange; and

 

(dd) TSX Company Manual ” means the Toronto Stock Exchange Company Manual, as amended from time to time.

 

2.2 Interpretation

 

(a) Words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular.

 

(b) The headings in this document are for convenience and reference only and shall not be deemed to alter or affect any provision hereof.

 

(c) The words “hereto”, “herein”, “hereby”, “hereunder”, “hereof” and similar expressions mean or refer to this document as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section, paragraph or other part hereof.

 

(d) Wherever the word “include”, “includes” or “including” is used, it shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”.

 

(e) Whenever the Board or, where applicable, the Committee or any sub-delegate of the Committee is to exercise discretion in the administration of the terms and conditions of the Plan, the term “discretion” means the sole and absolute discretion of the Board or the Committee or the sub-delegate of the Committee, as the case may be.

 

(f) Unless otherwise specified, all references to money amounts are to Canadian currency.

 

Article 3
ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

 

3.1 Administration of the Plan

 

(a) Except for matters that are under the jurisdiction of the Board as specified under the Plan or as required by law and subject to Section 3.1(b), the Plan shall be administered by the Committee and the Committee has sole and complete authority, in its discretion, to:

 

 

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(i) interpret and construe any provision hereof and decide all questions of fact arising in their interpretation;

 

(ii) adopt, amend, suspend and rescind such rules and regulations for administration of the Plan as the Board may deem necessary in order to comply with the requirements of the Plan, or in order to conform to any law or regulation or to any change in any laws or regulations applicable thereto;

 

(iii) exercise rights reserved to the Corporation under the Plan;

 

(iv) take any and all actions permitted by the Plan;

 

(v) prescribe forms for notices to be prescribed by the Corporation under the Plan; and

 

(vi) make any other determinations and take such other action in connection with the administration of the Plan that it in good faith deems necessary or advisable.

 

The Committee’s determinations and actions under the Plan are final, conclusive and binding on the Corporation, the Participants and all other Persons.

 

(b) To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Committee may, from time to time, delegate to any specified officer of the Corporation all or any of the powers of the Committee. In such event, the specified officer shall exercise the powers delegated to it by the Committee in the manner and on the terms authorized by the Committee. Any decision made or action taken by the specified officer arising out of or in connection with the administration or interpretation of the Plan in this context is final, binding and conclusive on the Corporation, the Participants and all other Persons.

 

3.2 Eligibility

 

Any individual who at the relevant time is an Eligible Person is eligible to participate in the Plan. Eligibility to participate does not confer upon any individual a right to receive a grant of DSUs pursuant to the Plan.

 

3.3 Exemption from Plan Participation

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, if a Participant is resident in a jurisdiction in which a grant of DSUs under the Plan might be considered to be income which is subject to taxation at the time of such grant, the Participant may elect not to participate in the Plan by providing a written notice to the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation.

 

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3.4 Discretionary Relief

 

Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, the Board may, in its discretion, waive any condition set out herein if it determines that specific individual circumstances warrant such waiver.

 

Article 4
DEFERRED SHARE UNITS

 

4.1 Grant of Deferred Share Units

 

(a) The Committee may, from time to time in its discretion, grant DSUs to Eligible Persons and, upon such grant, such Eligible Persons shall become Participants in the Plan. For greater certainty, such DSUs shall be governed by the provisions of the Plan and the respective DSU Agreement (as defined below). In respect of each grant of DSUs, the Committee shall determine on the date of such grant:

 

(i) the number of DSUs allocated to the Participant;

 

(ii) whether the Participant shall be entitled to elect to receive a Cash Payment in lieu of Payment Shares in respect of such DSUs on the Distribution Date (such DSUs, “ Cash Option DSUs ”);

 

(iii) any vesting conditions that may be applicable to such grant; and

 

(iv) such other terms and conditions of the DSUs applicable to the grant.

 

(b) The Corporation shall not make any grant of DSUs pursuant to the Plan unless and until such grant or issuance and delivery can be completed in compliance with all applicable laws, including tax regulations, and all other regulations, rules, orders of governmental or regulatory authorities and the requirements of all applicable stock exchanges upon which Shares are listed. The Corporation shall be obligated to take all reasonable action to comply with any such laws, regulations, rules, orders or requirements.

 

(c) One or more accounts shall be maintained by the Corporation in respect of each Participant and shall be credited with DSUs granted to such Participant from time to time.

 

4.2 DSU Agreement

 

All grants of DSUs hereunder shall be documented by an agreement between the Corporation and the applicable Participant in substantially the form set out in Schedule B hereto (a “ DSU Agreement ”).

 

4.3 Vesting

 

Unless otherwise provided at the time of grant, DSUs shall be fully vested upon being granted.

 

 

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4.4 Adjustments for Dividends

 

Subject to Section 5.2(c), where a cash dividend is paid on Shares, any DSU granted to a Participant prior to the record date for such dividend shall be adjusted so that the number of Payment Shares that shall be issued in respect of a DSU, or shall be issuable for the purposes of determining the Cash Payment in respect of a DSU pursuant to Section 4.7 or 4.8, as the case may be, shall be increased by the amount which is the quotient obtained by dividing the amount of the dividend per Share by the Fair Market Value of a Share as of the record date for such dividend, with fractions computed to three decimal places (“ Dividend Equivalents ”). The foregoing does not obligate the Corporation to declare or pay dividends on Shares and nothing in the Plan shall be interpreted as creating such an obligation.

 

4.5 Reporting of Deferred Share Units

 

The Corporation shall provide each Participant with a statement of his or her Account(s) on an annual basis.

 

4.6 Distribution Date Election

 

For the purposes of Sections 4.6, 4.7 and 4.8, where the Participant is deceased and the context requires, references to “Participant” shall be in reference to the Participant’s estate and where the Participant is required to make an election, the legal representative of the Participant’s estate may make such election. A Participant who has Terminated Service shall have the right to receive Payment Shares or, where applicable, a Cash Payment in respect of DSUs recorded in the Participant’s Account(s) in accordance with Sections 4.7 or 4.8, as applicable, on the date (the “ Distribution Date ”) as the Participant may elect by written notice (a “ Distribution Date Notice ”) delivered to the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation on or before November 15 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Separation Date occurs; provided, however, that in no event shall the Distribution Date be earlier than the Separation Date or later than December 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Separation Date occurs. If the Participant fails to deliver a Distribution Date Notice as provided herein, the Distribution Date shall be deemed to be December 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Separation Date occurs.

 

4.7 Distribution of Deferred Share Units in Payment Shares

 

Subject to Sections 4.8 and 4.11:

 

(a) The Corporation shall, within ten (10) business days after the Distribution Date, issue to the Participant that number of treasury Shares equal to the number of DSUs in the Participant’s Account(s) that became payable on the Distribution Date (the “ Payment Shares ”), provided that the Corporation shall not be required to issue any fractional share or make any payment in lieu thereof.

 

(b) The Corporation shall not be required to issue or cause to be delivered Payment Shares or issue or cause to be delivered certificates evidencing Payment Shares, unless and until such issuance and delivery can be completed in compliance with the applicable laws, regulations, rules, orders of governmental or regulatory authorities and the requirements of all applicable stock exchanges upon which Shares are listed. The Corporation shall be obligated to take all reasonable action, on a timely basis, to comply with any such laws, regulations, rules, orders, or requirements.

 

 

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4.8 Distribution of Deferred Share Units as Cash Payment

 

In the event any DSUs in the Participant’s Account(s) are Cash Option DSUs and the Participant elects to receive a cash payment in lieu of Payment Shares in respect of a portion or all of such DSUs by providing a written notice to the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation at least fifteen (15) business days prior to the Distribution Date (a “ Cash Settlement Notice ”), subject to Section 4.11, the Participant shall be entitled to receive a Cash Payment, which shall be paid to the Participant within ten (10) business days after the Distribution Date. If the Participant fails to deliver a Cash Settlement Notice as provided in this Section 4.8, the Participant shall be issued Payment Shares in respect of all of the DSUs in the Participant’s Account(s) in accordance with Section 4.7.

 

4.9 Adjustments to Deferred Share Units

 

In the event: (a) of any change in the Shares through subdivision, consolidation, reclassification, amalgamation, merger or otherwise; or (b) that any rights are granted to all or substantially all shareholders to purchase Shares at prices substantially below Fair Market Value as of the date of grant (other than the payment of dividends in respect of the Shares as contemplated by Section 4.4); or (c) that, as a result of any recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other transaction, the Shares are converted into or exchangeable for any other securities or property, the Board may make such adjustments to the Plan, the DSU Agreements and the DSUs outstanding under the Plan as the Board may, in its discretion, consider appropriate in the circumstances to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights granted to Participants hereunder and/or to provide for the Participants to receive and accept such other securities or property in lieu of Shares as the Board in its discretion considers fair and appropriate in the circumstances, and the Participants shall be bound by any such determination.

 

4.10 U.S. Taxpayers

 

The rules set forth in Schedule A hereto apply to any Participant who is a U.S. Taxpayer (as defined therein) and form a part of the Plan.

 

4.11 Taxes

 

(a) A Participant shall be solely responsible for reporting and paying income tax payable in respect of any Shares or cash received by the Participant under the Plan. The Corporation shall provide each Participant (or cause each Participant to be provided with) such information as may be required by applicable law to report income, if any, arising upon the grant or exercise of rights under the Plan by a Participant.

 

(b) The Corporation shall have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require (as a condition of the issuance of Payment Shares or the payment of a Cash Payment, as the case may be) a Participant to remit to the Corporation, an amount to satisfy, in whole or in part, and as determined by the Corporation, federal, provincial, state, and local taxes, domestic or foreign, required by law to be withheld (including any social insurance or social security contributions, including under the Canada Pension Plan) with respect to any taxable event arising as a result of the Plan, including the grant of DSUs or the issuance of Payment Shares or payment of a Cash Payment under the Plan (collectively, “ Applicable Withholding Amounts ”). The Corporation shall have the irrevocable right to set off, and the Participant consents to the Corporation setting off, Applicable Withholding Amounts, in whole or in part, against amounts otherwise owing by the Corporation to such Participant (whether arising pursuant to the Participant relationship as an Officer or Employee or as a result of the Participant providing services on an ongoing basis to the Corporation or otherwise), or may make such other arrangements as are satisfactory to the Participant and the Corporation. In addition, the Corporation may elect, in its sole discretion, to satisfy Applicable Withholding Amounts, in whole or in part, by withholding such number of Payment Shares as it determines are required to be sold by the Corporation, as agent on behalf of the Participant, to satisfy Applicable Withholding Amounts net of selling costs (which costs shall be the responsibility of the Participant and which shall be and are authorized to be deducted from the proceeds of sale). The Participant consents to such sale and grants to the Corporation an irrevocable power of attorney to effect the sale of such Payment Shares and acknowledges and agrees that the Corporation does not accept responsibility for the price obtained on the sale of such Payment Shares. Any amounts in excess of Applicable Withholding Amounts received by the Corporation pursuant to such sale (net of selling costs) shall be paid to the Participant as soon as reasonably practicable following such sale. Any reference in the Plan to the issuance of Payment Shares pursuant to Section 4.7 or the payment of a Cash Payment pursuant to Section 4.8 is expressly subject to this Section 4.11(b).

 

 

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4.12 DSUs Non-Transferable

 

Except as required by law, the rights of a Participant hereunder are not capable of being assigned, transferred, alienated, sold, encumbered, pledged, mortgaged or charged and are not capable of being subject to attachment or legal process for the payment of any debts or obligations of the Participant.

 

4.13 Effect of Payment

 

Upon payment in full of the value of all of the DSUs in the Participant’s Account(s) by way of Payment Shares and/or a Cash Payment, as the case may be, less Applicable Withholding Amounts, the DSUs shall be cancelled and no further payments shall be made to the Participant under the Plan.

 

Article 5
GENERAL

 

5.1 Limits on Issuances

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan:

 

(a) the maximum number of Shares issuable pursuant to outstanding DSUs at any time shall be limited to 10.0% of the aggregate number of issued and outstanding Shares, provided that the maximum number of Shares issuable pursuant to outstanding DSUs and all other Security Based Compensation Arrangements, shall not exceed 10.0% of the Shares outstanding from time to time;

 

 

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(b) the number of Shares reserved for issuance to any one Participant under all Security Based Compensation Arrangements shall not exceed 5.0% of the issued and outstanding Shares;

 

(c) the number of Shares issuable to Insiders, at any time, under all Security Based Compensation Arrangements, shall not exceed 10.0% of the issued and outstanding Shares; and

 

(d) the number of Shares issued to Insiders, within any one year period, under all Security Based Compensation Arrangements, shall not exceed 10.0% of the issued and outstanding Shares.

 

For the purposes of this Section 5.1, issued and outstanding Shares are computed on a non-diluted basis. Any increase in the issued and outstanding Shares (whether as a result of the issue of Shares pursuant to DSUs or otherwise) will result in an increase in the number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to DSUs outstanding at any time and any increase in the number of DSUs granted will, upon the issue of Shares pursuant thereto, make new grants available under the Plan. Further, if the acquisition of Shares by the Corporation for cancellation should result in the foregoing tests no longer being met, this shall not constitute non-compliance with this Section 5.1 for any grants outstanding prior to such purchase of Shares for cancellation.

 

DSUs that are cancelled or terminated shall result in the Shares that were reserved for issuance thereunder being available for a subsequent grant of DSUs pursuant to the Plan to the extent of any Shares issuable thereunder that are not issued under such cancelled or terminated DSUs.

 

5.2 Amendment, Suspension, or Termination of Plan

 

(a) The Board may amend, suspend or discontinue the Plan or amend any DSU or DSU Agreement at any time without the consent of any Participant, provided that such amendment, suspension or termination shall not adversely alter or impair the rights of any Participant in respect of any DSU previously granted to such Participant under the Plan, except as otherwise permitted hereunder. In addition, the Board may, by resolution, amend the Plan or any DSU granted under it (together with any related DSU Agreement) without shareholder approval; provided, however, that at any time while the Shares are listed for trading on the TSX, the Board shall not be entitled to amend the Plan or any DSU granted under it (together with any related DSU Agreement) without shareholder and, if applicable, TSX approval: (i) to increase the maximum number of Shares issuable pursuant to the Plan; (ii) to permit the assignment or transfer of a DSU other than as provided for in the Plan; (iii) to add to the categories of persons eligible to participate in the Plan; (iv) to remove or amend Section 5.1(c), or Section 5.1(d); (v) to remove or amend this Section 5.2(a); or (vi) in any other circumstances where TSX and shareholder approval is required by the TSX.

 

(b) Without limitation of Section 5.2(a), the Board may (i) correct any defect in the manner and to the extent or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan and (ii) establish, amend, and rescind any rules and regulations relating to the Plan it deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan.

 

(c) If the Board terminates or suspends the Plan, previously credited DSUs shall remain outstanding and in effect in accordance with the terms of the Plan. If DSUs remain outstanding after Plan termination or suspension, such DSUs shall not be entitled to Dividend Equivalents unless at the time of termination or suspension the Committee determines that the entitlement to Dividend Equivalents after termination or during suspension, as applicable, should be continued. Subject to the foregoing sentence, if the Board terminates or suspends the Plan, no new DSUs shall be credited to the Account(s) of a Participant.

 

 

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5.3 Compliance with Laws

 

The administration of the Plan shall be subject to and made in conformity with all applicable laws and any applicable regulations of a duly constituted regulatory authority. Should the Committee, in its discretion, determine that it is not feasible or desirable to issue Payment Shares in respect of DSUs due to such laws or regulations, such obligation shall be satisfied by means of an equivalent cash payment (equivalence being determined on a before-tax basis). If the Committee determines that the listing, registration or qualification of the Shares subject to the Plan upon any securities exchange or under any provincial, state, federal or other applicable law, or the consent or approval of any governmental body or stock exchange is necessary or desirable, as a condition of, or in connection with, the crediting of DSUs or the issue of Payment Shares hereunder, the Corporation shall be under no obligation to credit DSUs or issue Payment Shares hereunder unless and until such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Committee.

 

5.4 Reorganization of the Corporation

 

The existence of any DSUs shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Corporation or its shareholders to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Corporation’s capital structure or its business, or to create or issue any bonds, debentures, shares or other securities of the Corporation or to amend or modify the rights and conditions attaching thereto or to effect the dissolution or liquidation of the Corporation, or any amalgamation, combination, merger or consolidation involving the Corporation or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar nature or otherwise.

 

5.5 Assignment

 

Rights and obligations under the Plan may be assigned by the Corporation to a successor in the business of the Corporation, any company resulting from any amalgamation, reorganization, combination, merger or arrangement of the Corporation, or any company acquiring all or substantially all of the assets or business of the Corporation.

 

5.6 Participation is Voluntary; No Additional Rights

 

The participation of any Participant in the Plan is entirely voluntary and not obligatory and shall not be interpreted as conferring upon such Participant any rights or privileges other than those rights and privileges expressly provided in the Plan. In particular, participation in the Plan does not constitute a condition of employment or service nor a commitment on the part of the Corporation to ensure the continued employment or service of such Participant. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to provide the Participant with any rights whatsoever to participate or continue participation in the Plan or to compensation or damages in lieu of participation, whether upon termination of service as a Director, Officer or Employee or otherwise. The Corporation does not assume responsibility for the personal income or other tax consequences for the Participants and they are advised to consult with their own tax advisors.

 

 

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5.7 No Shareholder Rights

 

Under no circumstances shall DSUs be considered Shares or other securities of the Corporation, nor shall they entitle any Participant to exercise voting rights or any other rights attaching to the ownership of Shares or other securities of the Corporation, nor shall any Participant be considered the owner of Shares by virtue of the grant of DSUs.

 

5.8 Unfunded and Unsecured Plan

 

Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Plan shall be unfunded and the Corporation shall not secure its obligations under the Plan. To the extent any Participant or his or her estate holds any rights by virtue of a grant of DSUs under the Plan, such rights (unless otherwise determined by the Board) shall be no greater than the rights of an unsecured creditor of the Corporation.

 

5.9 Market Fluctuations

 

No amount shall be paid to, or in respect of, a Participant under the Plan to compensate for a downward fluctuation in the price of Shares, nor shall any other form of benefit be conferred upon, or in respect of, a Participant for such purpose. The Corporation makes no representations or warranties to Participants with respect to the Plan or the Shares whatsoever. In seeking the benefits of participation in the Plan, a Participant agrees to accept all risks associated with a decline in the market price of Shares.

 

5.10 Participant Information

 

Each Participant shall provide the Corporation with all information (including personal information) required by the Corporation in order to administer the Plan. Each Participant acknowledges that information required by the Corporation in order to administer the Plan may be disclosed to the Board and other third parties in connection with the administration of the Plan. Each Participant consents to such disclosure and authorizes the Corporation to make such disclosure on the Participant’s behalf.

 

5.11 Indemnification

 

Each Director shall at all times be indemnified and saved harmless by the Corporation from and against all costs, charges and expenses whatsoever, including any income tax liability arising from any such indemnification, that such Director may sustain or incur by reason of any action, suit or proceeding, taken or threatened against the Director, otherwise than by the Corporation, for or in respect of any act done or omitted by the Director in respect of the Plan, such costs, charges and expenses to include any amount paid to settle such action, suit or proceeding or in satisfaction of any judgment rendered therein.

 

5.12 Governing Law

 

The Plan shall be governed by, and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the Province of British Columbia and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, without regard to principles of conflict of laws.

 

APPROVED by the Board this 4th day of April, 2017.

 

 

 

 

Schedule A
PLAN PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO U.S. TAXPAYERS

 

The provisions of this Schedule A apply to DSUs held by a U.S. Taxpayer to the extent such DSUs are subject to U.S. taxation. The following provisions apply, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan. All capitalized terms used in this Schedule A and not defined herein shall have the meaning attributed to them in the Plan.

 

Section 409A ” means Section 409A of the United States Internal Revenue Code and the regulations and authority promulgated thereunder.

 

Separation Date ” shall mean the date on which the Participant incurs a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A.

 

U.S. Taxpayer ” shall mean any person who is a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, or other person who has been granted or is eligible to be granted a DSU under the Plan that is otherwise subject to U.S. taxation.

 

1. Notwithstanding Section 4.6 of the Plan, the following procedure shall be used to determine a Distribution Date for DSUs that are subject to this Schedule A.

 

(a) For a Participant who is a U.S. Taxpayer, the Distribution Date shall be the Separation Date, subject to clause (b) below.

 

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any U.S. Taxpayer is determined to be a “specified employee” (as determined under Section 409A, in accordance with the Corporation’s policies) at the Separation Date, then the Distribution Date shall not be earlier than the date that is six (6) months following his or her Separation Date.

 

2. Notwithstanding any election by the Participant or the legal representative of the Participant’s estate of a Distribution Date, upon the death of a Participant prior to the issuance of Payment Shares (or, where applicable, the payment of a Cash Payment) in respect of the DSUs in his or her Account(s), Payment Shares shall be issued or, where applicable, a Cash Payment in respect of DSUs recorded in the Participant’s Account(s) in accordance with Sections 4.7 or 4.8, as applicable, shall be made to the estate of such Participant on the first business day that occurs following ninety (90) days after the Participant’s date of death. No election of an alternative payment date by the estate or beneficiary shall be permitted.

 

3. Miscellaneous.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, no consent to an amendment, suspension or termination that adversely affects the DSUs previously granted to a U.S. Taxpayer under Section 409A shall be required if such amendments are considered by the Committee, on the advice of counsel, to be necessary or desirable in order to avoid adverse U.S. tax consequences to the U.S. Taxpayer.

 

No provision of the Plan or amendment to the Plan may permit the acceleration of payments under the Plan to U.S. Taxpayers contrary to the provisions of Section 409A.

 

 

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In the event of a termination of the Plan, no payments to U.S. Taxpayers shall be made, except on the schedule permitted by Section 409A.

 

All provisions of the Plan shall continue to apply to the U.S. Taxpayer to the extent they have not been specifically modified by this Schedule A. In regard to a U.S. Taxpayer, the Committee shall interpret all Plan provisions in a manner that does not cause a violation of Section 409A.

 

4. Restrictions on Deferred Share Units of Certain Dual Taxpayers.

 

This Section 5 shall only apply in respect of DSUs of a U.S. Taxpayer if, at the time a payment in respect of the DSUs is required to be made under the Plan, the U.S. Taxpayer would be liable to tax in respect of such payment, if made as otherwise provided, under the Income Tax Act (Canada) (in this Section 5 referred to as the “ Canadian Tax Rules ”).

 

If a payment in respect of DSUs of a U.S. Taxpayer is otherwise required to be made at any time, but for this Section 5 and such payment would, if made, comply with Section 409A but would violate the Canadian Tax Rules, then, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan and this Schedule A, unless the Committee determines that payment in respect of the DSUs can be made in some other manner and at such other time in compliance with Section 409A without violating the Canadian Tax Rules, such payment shall be made to a trustee to be held in trust for the benefit of the U.S. Taxpayer in a manner that causes the payment to be included in the U.S. Taxpayer’s income under the Code and does not violate the Canadian Tax Rules, and amounts shall thereafter be paid out of the trust for the benefit of the U.S. Taxpayer at such time and in such manner as complies with the requirements of the Canadian Tax Rules.

 

 

 

 

Schedule B
FORM OF DSU AGREEMENT

 

DEFERRED SHARE UNIT AGREEMENT

 

This agreement is entered into this _____ day of ______________, 20___, between International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. (the “ Corporation ”) and __________________________ (the “ Participant ”) pursuant to the 2017 Deferred Share Unit Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”) adopted by the Corporation on April 4, 2017, as amended from time to time.

 

For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Corporation and the Participant agree as follows:

 

1. All capitalized terms used in this agreement and not defined herein shall have the meaning attributed to them in the Plan.

 

2. The Corporation hereby grants to the Participant ___________________ deferred share units (the “ DSUs ”) of the Corporation. The Fair Market Value of a Share as of the date hereof is $__________.

 

3. The granting of the DSUs (and the issue of Payment Shares [and/or payment of a Cash Payment] in respect thereof) are subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, all of which are incorporated into and form an integral part of this agreement.

 

4. [Without limiting the generality of Section 3 hereof, the Participant shall be entitled to elect to receive a Cash Payment in lieu of Payment Shares in respect of the DSUs in accordance with the terms of the Plan. For greater certainty, the DSUs granted hereby are Cash Option DSUs.] [or] [The DSUs granted hereby are not Cash Option DSUs.]

 

5. Pursuant to and in accordance with Section 4.11(b) of the Plan, the Participant irrevocably appoints the Corporation to be his or her attorney for the purpose of effecting the sale of Payment Shares to satisfy any Applicable Withholding Amounts should the Corporation elect to do so.

 

6. The Participant confirms and acknowledges that he or she has not been induced to enter into this agreement by expectation of employment or continued employment with the Corporation.

 

  INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.
   
     
  By:                                                
    Name:                                                                 
    Title:  

 

WITNESSED BY:

 

   
Witness signature   Participant
Name:      
Address:    
     

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 31.1

 

CERTIFICATION

 

I, Karl L. Hanneman, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of International Tower Hill Mines Ltd.;

 

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 registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant's other certifying officer 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)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant 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 registrant, 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) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant'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

 

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant'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 registrant'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 registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: August 11, 2017 By: /s/ Karl L. Hanneman
    Karl L. Hanneman
    Chief Executive Officer
    (Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 31.2

 

CERTIFICATION

 

I, David Cross, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of International Tower Hill Mines Ltd.;

 

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 registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant's other certifying officer 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)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant 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 registrant, 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) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant'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

 

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant'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 registrant'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 registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: August 11, 2017 By: /s/ David Cross
    David Cross
    Chief Financial Officer
    (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 32.1

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. (the "Company"), for the period ended June 30, 2017, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Karl L. Hanneman, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, hereby certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge:

 

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operation of the Company.

 

Date: August 11, 2017 By: /s/ Karl L. Hanneman
    Karl L. Hanneman
    Chief Executive Officer
    (Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 32.2

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. (the "Company"), for the period ended June 30, 2017, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, David Cross, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, hereby certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge:

 

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operation of the Company.

 

Date: August 11, 2017 By: /s/ David Cross
    David Cross
    Chief Financial Officer
    (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)