UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
For
the quarterly period ended
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification Number) |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code:
Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act: None
Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act ☐ Yes ☒ No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the ☒ Yes ☐ No
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 past 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. ☒
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). ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer ☐ | Accelerated filer ☐ |
| Smaller
reporting company | |
| Emerging
growth company |
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). ☐ Yes ☒
State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price on September 30, 2021: CDN$29,598,448. As a result of the change in fiscal year end from the last day of June to a calendar fiscal year ending on the last day of December of each year, effective January 1, 2021, the reporting period for this Form 10-Q represents the third quarter for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
As of November 15, 2021, the Issuer had Common Shares issued and outstanding.
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
| ITEM 1. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
The financial statements of Bunker Hill Mining Corp., (“Bunker Hill”, the “Company”, or the “Registrant”) a Nevada corporation, included herein were prepared, without audit, pursuant to rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Because certain information and notes normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S.”) were condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-KT for the nine months ended December 31, 2020, and all amendments thereto.
| 2 |
BUNKER HILL MINING CORP.
CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
(EXPRESSED IN UNITED STATES DOLLARS)
(UNAUDITED)
| 3 |
Bunker Hill Mining Corp.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
Unaudited
As at September 30, | As at December 31, | |||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| Current assets | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | ||||||
| Accounts receivable | ||||||||
| Prepaid expenses | ||||||||
| Total current assets | ||||||||
| Non-current assets | ||||||||
| Equipment (note 3) | ||||||||
| Right-of-use asset (note 4) | ||||||||
| Long term deposit (note 5) | ||||||||
| Mining interests (note 5) | ||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | ||||||
| EQUITY AND LIABILITIES | ||||||||
| Current liabilities | ||||||||
| Accounts payable (notes 5 and 14) | $ | $ | ||||||
| Accrued liabilities (notes 5 and 13) | ||||||||
| DSU liability (note 11) | ||||||||
| Promissory notes payable (note 7) | - | |||||||
| Current portion of lease liability (note 8) | ||||||||
| Total current liabilities | ||||||||
| Non-current liabilities | ||||||||
| Lease liability (note 8) | - | |||||||
| Derivative warrant liability (notes 7 and 9) | ||||||||
| Total liabilities | ||||||||
| Shareholders’ Deficiency | ||||||||
| Preferred shares, $ par value, preferred shares authorized; preferred shares issued and outstanding (note 9) | - | - | ||||||
| Common
shares, $ par value, common shares authorized; and common shares issued and outstanding, respectively (note 9) | ||||||||
| Additional paid-in-capital (note 9) | ||||||||
| Deficit accumulated during the exploration stage | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total shareholders’ deficiency | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total shareholders’ deficiency and liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements.
| 4 |
Bunker Hill Mining Corp.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Income (loss) and Comprehensive Income (loss) (Expressed in United States Dollars)
Unaudited
Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 | Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 | |||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||
| Operation and administration (notes 9, 10 and 11) | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Exploration | ||||||||||||||||
| Legal and accounting | ||||||||||||||||
| Consulting (note 14) | ||||||||||||||||
| Loss from operations | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Other income or gain (expense or loss) | ||||||||||||||||
| Change in derivative liability (notes 7 and 9) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Accretion expense (notes 6 and 7) | - | ( | ) | - | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Financing costs (note 7) | - | ( | ) | - | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on foreign exchange | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Interest expense (notes 6 and 7) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Loss on private placement (note 9) | - | ( | ) | - | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Share issuance costs (note 9) | - | ( | ) | - | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Loss on loan extinguishment (note 6) | - | - | - | ( | ) | |||||||||||
| Loss on debt settlement (note 9) | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||
| Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) for the period | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Net income (loss) per common share (note 12) | ||||||||||||||||
| - basic | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||
| - fully diluted | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Weighted average number of common shares (note 12) | ||||||||||||||||
| - basic | ||||||||||||||||
| - fully diluted | ||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements.
| 5 |
Bunker Hill Mining Corp.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
Unaudited
| Nine Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||
| September 30, | September 30, | |||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
| Operating activities | ||||||||
| Net income (loss) for the period | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | ||||||||
| Depreciation expense | ||||||||
| Change in fair value of warrant liability | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Accretion expense | - | |||||||
| Financing costs | - | |||||||
| Interest expense | - | |||||||
| Loss on loan extinguishment | - | |||||||
| Interest expense on lease liability | ||||||||
| Foreign exchange gain on re-translation of lease liability | ( | ) | ||||||
| Loss on debt settlement | ||||||||
| Loss on private placement | - | |||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Prepaid expenses | ( | ) | ||||||
| Accounts payable | ( | ) | ||||||
| Accrued liabilities | ||||||||
| Interest payable | - | |||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Investing activities | ||||||||
| Purchase of machinery and equipment | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Financing activities | ||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs | ||||||||
| Proceeds from warrants exercised | - | |||||||
| Lease payments | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from promissory note | ||||||||
| Repayment of promissory note | - | ( | ) | |||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | ||||||||
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | ( | ) | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | $ | ||||||
| Supplemental disclosures | ||||||||
| Non-cash activities: | ||||||||
| Units issued to settle accounts payable, accrued liabilities and promissory notes | $ | $ | ||||||
| Common stock issued to settle convertible loan | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements.
| 6 |
Bunker Hill Mining Corp.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Deficiency
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
Unaudited
| Additional | Deficit accumulated during the |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock | paid-in- | exploration | ||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | capital | Stage | Total | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2019 | $ | $ | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | ||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued at $ per share (i) | - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued for debt settlement at $ per share(i) | - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Finder’s units issued | - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Finder’s warrants issued | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||
| Warrants exercised at $ per share (ii) | - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Units issued at $ per unit(iii) | - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Units issued for debt settlement at $ per unit | - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Issue costs | - | - | ( |
) | - | ( |
) | |||||||||||||
| Warrants valuation | - | - | ( |
) | - | ( |
) | |||||||||||||
| Net loss for the period | - | - | - | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | ||||||||||||
| Balance, September 30, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | ||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | ||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||
| Units issued at $ per unit(iv) | - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Units issued for debt settlement at $ per unit(v) | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued for RSUs vested | ( |
) | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
| Issue costs | - | - | ( |
) | - | ( |
) | |||||||||||||
| Warrant valuation | - | - | ( |
) | - | ( |
) | |||||||||||||
| Net income for the period | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance, September 30, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | ||||||||||||
| (i) | |
| (ii) | |
| (iii) | |
| (iv) | |
| (v) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements.
| 7 |
Bunker Hill Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
Unaudited
1. Nature and continuance of operations and going concern
Bunker
Hill Mining Corp. (the “Company”) was incorporated under the laws of the state of
The Company was incorporated for the purpose of engaging in mineral exploration activities. It continues to work at developing its project with a view towards putting it into production.
These
unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The Company has incurred losses
since inception resulting in an accumulated deficit of $
Management is considering various financing alternatives including, but not limited to, raising capital through the capital markets, debt financing, and royalty/streaming arrangements. These condensed interim consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded assets, or the amounts of and classification of liabilities that might be necessary in the event the Company cannot continue as a going concern.
The ability of the Company to emerge from the exploration stage is dependent upon, among other things, obtaining additional financing to continue operations, explore and develop the mineral properties and the discovery, development, and sale of reserves.
The Company’s operations could be significantly adversely affected by the effects of a widespread global outbreak of epidemics, pandemics, or other health crises, including the recent outbreak of respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (“COVID19”). The Company cannot accurately predict the impact COVID19 will have on its operations and the ability of others to meet their obligations with the Company, including uncertainties relating to the ultimate geographic spread of the virus, the severity of the disease, the duration of the outbreak, and the length of travel and quarantine restrictions imposed by governments of affected countries. In addition, a significant outbreak of contagious diseases in the human population could result in a widespread health crisis that could adversely affect the economies and financial markets of many countries, resulting in an economic downturn that could further affect the Company’s operations and ability to finance its operations.
| 8 |
Bunker Hill Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
Unaudited
2. Basis of presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes necessary for a comprehensive presentation of financial position, results of operations, shareholders’ deficiency or cash flows. It is management’s opinion, however, that all material adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) have been made which are necessary for a fair financial statement presentation. The unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/T, which contains the annual audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, together with the Management’s Discussion and Analysis, for the six months ended December 31, 2020. The interim results for the period ended September 30, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full fiscal year. The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements are presented in USD, which is the functional currency.
3. Equipment
Equipment consists of the following:
September 30, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||
| Equipment | $ | $ | ||||||
| Less accumulated depreciation | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Equipment, net | $ | $ | ||||||
The
total depreciation expense during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 was $
4. Right-of-use asset
Right-of-use asset consists of the following:
September 30, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||
| Office lease | $ | $ | ||||||
| Less accumulated depreciation | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Right-of-use asset, net | $ | $ | ||||||
The
total depreciation expense during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 was $
| 9 |
Bunker Hill Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
Unaudited
5. Mining interests
Bunker Hill Mine Complex
On November 27, 2016, the Company entered into a non-binding letter of intent with Placer Mining Corp. (“Placer Mining”), which letter of intent was further amended on March 29, 2017, to acquire the Bunker Hill Mine in Idaho and its associated milling facility located in Kellogg, Idaho, in the Coeur d’Alene Basin (as amended, the “Letter of Intent”). Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Letter of Intent, the acquisition, which was subject to due diligence, would include all mining claims, surface rights, fee parcels, mineral interests, existing infrastructure, machinery and buildings at the Kellogg Tunnel portal in Milo Gulch, or anywhere underground at the Bunker Hill Mine Complex. The acquisition would also include all current and historic data relating to the Bunker Hill Mine Complex, such as drill logs, reports, maps, and similar information located at the mine site or any other location.
During
the year ended June 30, 2017, the Company made payments totaling $
On August 28, 2017, the Company announced that it signed a definitive agreement (the “Agreement”) for the lease and option to purchase the Bunker Hill Mine assets (the “Bunker Assets”).
Under
the terms of the Agreement, the Company was required to make a $
The
Company had an option to purchase the Bunker Assets at any time before the end of the lease and any extension for a purchase price of
$
On
October 2, 2018, the Company announced that it was in default of the Agreement. The default arose as a result of missed lease and operating
cost payments, totaling $
On
November 13, 2018, the Company announced that it was successful in renewing the Agreement, effectively with the original Agreement intact,
except that monthly payments were reduced to $
The accruals for the deferred payment were waived pursuant to the November 20, 2020 Amended Agreement described below. As a result, as at September 30, 2021, the Company had accrued a total of $nil (December 31, 202 - $nil).
| 10 |
Bunker Hill Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
Unaudited
5. Mining interests (continued)
Bunker Hill Mine Complex (continued)
On November 1, 2019, the Agreement was amended (the “Amended Agreement”). The key terms of the Amended Agreement are as follows:
| ● | The
lease period was extended for an additional period of nine months to August 1, 2020, with |
| ● | The
Company will make monthly care and maintenance payments to Placer Mining of $ |
| ● | The
purchase price is set at $ |
On
July 27, 2020,
On November 20, 2020, the Company signed a further amendment to the Amended Agreement. Under the terms of this amendment:
| ● | |
| ● | The
purchase price was reduced to $ |
| ● | The
Company’s contingent obligation to settle $ |
| ● | The
Company made an advance payment of $ |
| 11 |
Bunker Hill Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
Unaudited
5. Mining interests (continued)
Bunker Hill Mine Complex (continued)
In
addition to the payments to Placer Mining, and pursuant to an agreement with the EPA whereby for so long as Bunker leases, owns and/or
occupies the Bunker Hill Mine, the Company will make payments to the EPA on behalf of the current owner in satisfaction of the EPA’s
claim for cost recovery, excluding water treatment charges. These payments, if all are made, will total $
| Date | Amount | Action | ||||
| Within 30 days of the effective date | $ | |||||
| November 1, 2018 | $ | |||||
| November 1, 2019 | $ | |||||
| November 1, 2020 | $ | |||||
| November 1, 2021 | $ | |||||
| November 1, 2022 | $ | |||||
| November 1, 2023 | $ | |||||
| November 1, 2024 | $ | |||||
In
addition to these cost recovery payments, the Company is to make semi-annual payments of $
In
July 2021, the Company received an invoice from the EPA for water treatment charges for the period from November 2019 to October 2020,
in the amount of approximately $
In
August 2021, the Company received an interim invoice from the EPA for water treatment charges for the period from November 2020 to May
2021, and accordingly reversed the previously accrued estimate amount of $
A
total of $
| 12 |
Bunker Hill Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
Unaudited
6. Convertible loan payable
On
June 13, 2018, the Company entered into a loan and warrant agreement with Hummingbird Resources PLC (“Hummingbird”),
an arm’s length investor, for an unsecured convertible loan in the aggregate sum of $
In
August 2018, the amount of the Hummingbird convertible loan payable was increased to $
During
the year ended June 30, 2019, Hummingbird agreed to extend the scheduled maturity date of the loan to
In
June 2019, the Company settled $
In
February 2020, the Company settled $
In
June 2020, Hummingbird agreed to extend the scheduled maturity date of the loan to
In
October 2020, the Company settled the full amount of the outstanding loan by issuing common shares at a deemed price of C$based on the fair value of the shares issued.
As a result, the Company recorded a gain on debt settlement of $
| 13 |
Bunker Hill Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
Unaudited
6. Convertible loan payable (continued)
The Company has accounted for the conversion features and warrants in accordance with ASC Topic 815. The conversion features and warrants are considered derivative financial liabilities as they are convertible into common shares at a conversion price denominated in a currency other than the Company’s functional currency of the U.S. dollar. The estimated fair value of the conversion features and warrants was determined on the date of issuance and marked to market at each financial reporting period.
Accretion
expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 was $ (three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 - $ and $
Interest
expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 was $ (three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 - $
| Amount | ||||
| Balance, December 31, 2019 | $ | |||
| Accretion expense | ||||
| Loss on loan extinguishment | ||||
| Partial extinguishment | ( | ) | ||
| Loan extinguishment | ( | ) | ||
| Balance, December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2021 | $ | |||
7. Promissory notes payable
(i)
On November 13, 2019, the Company issued a promissory note in the amount of $
On
April 24, 2020, the Company extended the maturity date of the promissory note payable to
During
the six months ended December 31, 2020, the Company repaid $
The Company has accounted for the warrants in accordance with ASC Topic 815. The warrants are considered derivative financial liabilities as they are convertible into common shares at a conversion price denominated in a currency other than the Company’s functional currency of the US dollar. The estimated fair value of the warrants was determined on the date of issuance and marks to market at each financial reporting period.
| 14 |
Bunker Hill Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
Unaudited
7. Promissory notes payable (continued)
(i) (continued)
The fair values of the warrants were estimated using the Binomial model to determine the fair value of the derivative warrant liabilities using the following assumptions:
| November 2019 issuance | December 31, 2020 | September 30, 2021 | ||||||
| Expected life | ||||||||
| Volatility | % | % | ||||||
| Risk free interest rate | % | % | ||||||
| Dividend yield | % | % | ||||||
| Share price | $ | $ | ||||||
| Fair value | $ | $ | ||||||
| Change in derivative liability | $ | |||||||
| April 2020 issuance | December 31, 2020 | September 30, 2021 | ||||||
| Expected life | ||||||||
| Volatility | % | % | ||||||
| Risk free interest rate | % | % | ||||||
| Dividend yield | % | % | ||||||
| Share price | $ | $ | ||||||
| Fair value | $ | $ | ||||||
| Change in derivative liability | $ | |||||||
Accretion
expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 was $ (three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 - $
Interest
expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 was $ (three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 - $
(ii)
On May 12, 2020, the Company issued a promissory note in the amount of $
(iii)
On May 12, 2020, the Company issued a promissory note in the amount of $
| 15 |
Bunker Hill Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
Unaudited
7. Promissory notes payable (continued)
(iv)
On June 30, 2020, the Company issued a promissory note in the amount of $
(v)
On June 30, 2020, the Company issued a promissory note in the amount of $
(vi)
On July 13, 2020, the Company issued a promissory note in the amount of $
(vii)
On September 22, 2021, the Company issued a non-convertible promissory note in the amount of $
8. Lease liability
The Company has an operating lease for office space that expires in 2022. Below is a summary of the Company’s lease liability as of September 30, 2021:
| Office lease | ||||
| Balance, December 31, 2019 | $ | |||
| Addition | ||||
| Interest expense | ||||
| Lease payments | ( | ) | ||
| Foreign exchange loss | ||||
| Balance, December 31, 2020 | ||||
| Addition | ||||
| Interest expense | ||||
| Lease payments | ( | ) | ||
| Foreign exchange loss | ||||
| Balance, September 30, 2021 | ||||
| Less: current portion | ( | ) | ||
| Long-term lease liability | $ | |||
In
addition to the minimum monthly lease payments of C$
| Less than 1 year | 1-2 years | 2-3 years | Total | |||||||||||||
| Base rent | $ | $ | - | $ | - | $ | ||||||||||
| Additional rent | ||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||
The monthly rental expenses are offset by rental income obtained through a series of short-term subleases held by the Company.
| 16 |
Bunker
Hill Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
Unaudited
9. Capital stock, warrants and stock options
Authorized
The total authorized capital is as follows:
| ● | common shares with a par value of $ per common share; and |
| ● | preferred shares with a par value of $ per preferred share |
Issued and outstanding
On
February 26, 2020, the Company closed a non-brokered private placement, issuing common shares of the Company at C$ per
common share for gross proceeds of C$
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company issued units at a deemed price of C$ as finder’s fees
with a total value of C$
On
May 12, 2020, the Company closed a non-brokered private placement, issuing common shares of the Company at C$ per common
share for gross proceeds of C$
On August 14, 2020, the Company closed the first tranche of a brokered private placement of units of the Company (the “August 2020 Offering”), issuing units of the Company (“August 2020 Units”) at C$ per August 2020 Unit for gross proceeds of $ (C$). Each August 2020 Unit consisted of one common share of the Company and one common share purchase warrant of the Company (each, a “August 2020 Warrant”), which entitles the holder to acquire a common share of the Company at C$ per common share until August 31, 2023. In connection with the first tranche of the August 2020 Offering, the Company incurred share issuance costs of $ (C$) and issued compensation options (the “August 2020 Compensation Options”). Each August 2020 Compensation Option is exercisable into one August 2020 Unit at an exercise price of C$ until August 31, 2023.
On August 25, 2020, the Company closed the second tranche of the August 2020 Offering, issuing August 2020 Units at C$ per August 2020 Unit for gross proceeds of $ (C$). In connection with the second tranche of the August 2020 Offering, the Company incurred share issuance costs of $ (C$) and issued August 2020 Compensation Options.
| 17 |
Bunker
Hill Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
Unaudited
9. Capital stock, warrants and stock options (continued)
Issued and outstanding (continued)
In the August 2020 Offering, the fair value of warrants, which are treated as a liability and fair value accounted for, were greater than gross proceeds. As a result, a loss of $ has been recognized and $ of total share issue costs were also expensed.
The Company also issued August 2020 Units to settle $ of accounts payable, $ of accrued liabilities, $ of interest payable, and $ of promissory notes payable at a deemed price of $ based on the fair value of the units issued. As a result, the Company recorded a loss on debt settlement of $.
On
October 9, 2020, the Company issued common shares at a deemed price of C$ based on the fair value of the common shares
issued to settle $
In
February 2021, the Company closed a non-brokered private placement of units of the Company (the “February 2021 Offering”),
issuing units of the Company (“February 2021 Units”) at C$ per February 2021 Unit for gross proceeds of $
The
Company also issued February 2021 Units to settle $
For each financing, the Company has accounted for the warrants in accordance with ASC Topic 815. The warrants are considered derivative instruments as they were issued in a currency other than the Company’s functional currency of the U.S. dollar. The estimated fair value of warrants accounted for as liabilities was determined on the date of issue and marks to market at each financial reporting period. The change in fair value of the warrant is recorded in the condensed interim consolidated statements of income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) as a gain or loss and is estimated using the Binomial model.
| 18 |
Bunker Hill Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
Unaudited
9. Capital stock, warrants and stock options (continued)
Issued and outstanding (continued)
The fair value of the warrant liabilities related to the various tranches of warrants issued during the period were estimated using the Binomial model to determine the fair value using the following assumptions on the day of issuance and as at September 30, 2021:
| February 2021 issuance | February
9 and 16, 2021 | September 30, 2021 | ||||||
| Expected life | ||||||||
| Volatility | % | % | ||||||
| Risk free interest rate | % | % | ||||||
| Dividend yield | % | % | ||||||
| Share price | $ | and $ | $ | |||||
| Fair value | $ | $ | ||||||
| Change in derivative liability | $ | |||||||
The warrant liabilities as a result of the August 2018, November 2018, June 2019, August 2019, and August 2020 private placements were revalued as at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 using the Binomial model and the following assumptions:
| August 2018 issuance | December 31, 2020 | September 30, 2021 | ||||||
| Expected life | Expired | |||||||
| Volatility | % | |||||||
| Risk free interest rate | % | |||||||
| Dividend yield | % | |||||||
| Share price | $ | $ | ||||||
| Fair value | $ | $ | ||||||
| Change in derivative liability | $ | |||||||
| November 2018 issuance | December 31, 2020 | September 30, 2021 | ||||||
| Expected life | ||||||||
| Volatility | % | % | ||||||
| Risk free interest rate | % | % | ||||||
| Dividend yield | % | % | ||||||
| Share price | $ | $ | ||||||
| Fair value | $ | $ | ||||||
| Change in derivative liability | $ | |||||||
| 19 |
Bunker Hill Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
Unaudited
9. Capital stock, warrants and stock options (continued)
Issued and outstanding (continued)
| June 2019 issuance (i) | December 31, 2020 | September 30, 2021 | ||||||
| Expected life | ||||||||
| Volatility | % | % | ||||||
| Risk free interest rate | % | % | ||||||
| Dividend yield | % | % | ||||||
| Share price | $ | $ | ||||||
| Fair value | $ | $ | ||||||
| Change in derivative liability | $ | |||||||
| (i) |
| August 2019 issuance (ii) | December 31, 2020 | September 30, 2021 | ||||||
| Expected life | ||||||||
| Volatility | % | % | ||||||
| Risk free interest rate | % | % | ||||||
| Dividend yield | % | % | ||||||
| Share price | $ | $ | ||||||
| Fair value | $ | $ | ||||||
| Change in derivative liability | $ | |||||||
| (ii) |
| August 2020 issuance | December 31, 2020 | September 30, 2021 | ||||||
| Expected life | ||||||||
| Volatility | % | % | ||||||
| Risk free interest rate | % | % | ||||||
| Dividend yield | % | % | ||||||
| Share price | $ | $ | ||||||
| Fair value | $ | $ | ||||||
| Change in derivative liability | $ | |||||||
| 20 |
Bunker Hill Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
Unaudited
9. Capital stock, warrants and stock options (continued)
Warrants
| Number of | Weighted average exercise price | Weighted average grant date | ||||||||||
| warrants | (C$) | value ($) | ||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2019 | $ | $ | ||||||||||
| Issued | ||||||||||||
| Expired | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Exercised (i) | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Balance, September 30, 2020 | $ | $ | ||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2020 | $ | $ | ||||||||||
| Issued | ||||||||||||
| Expired | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Balance, September 30, 2021 | $ | $ | ||||||||||
| (i) |
| Expiry date | Exercise price (C$) | Number of warrants | Number of warrants exercisable | |||||||||
| 21 |
Bunker Hill Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
Unaudited
9. Capital stock, warrants and stock options (continued)
Broker options
| Number of | Weighted average | |||||||
| broker options | exercise price (C$) | |||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2019 | ||||||||
| Issued - August 2020 Compensation Options (i) | ||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2020 | ||||||||
| Issued - February 2021 Compensation Options | ||||||||
| Balance, September 30, 2021 | $ | |||||||
| (i) |
Grant Date | Risk free interest rate | Dividend yield | Volatility | Stock price | Weighted average life | |||||||||||||||
| August 2020 | % | % | % |
| ||||||||||||||||
| February 2021 | % | % | % | C$ | ||||||||||||||||
| Expiry date | Exercise price (C$) | Number of broker options | Fair value ($) | |||||||||
| (i) |
| (ii) |
| 22 |
Bunker Hill Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
Unaudited
9. Capital stock, warrants and stock options (continued)
Stock options
Number of stock options | Weighted Average exercise price (C$) | |||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2019 | $ | |||||||
| Granted (i)(ii) | ||||||||
| Forfeited | ( | ) | ||||||
| Balance, September 30, 2020 | $ | |||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2020 | $ | |||||||
| Granted (iv) | ||||||||
| Balance, September 30, 2021 | $ | |||||||
| (i) |
| (ii) |
| (iii) |
| (iv) |
| 23 |
Bunker Hill Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
Unaudited
9. Capital stock, warrants and stock options (continued)
Stock options (continued)
Risk free interest rate | Dividend yield | Volatility | Stock price | Weighted average life | ||||||||||||||||||
| (i) | % | % | % | C$ | ||||||||||||||||||
| (ii) | % | % | % | C$ | ||||||||||||||||||
| (iii) | % | % | % | C$ | ||||||||||||||||||
| (iv) | % | % | % | C$ | ||||||||||||||||||
The following table reflects the actual stock options issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2021:
Exercise price (C$) | Weighted average remaining contractual life (years) | Number of options outstanding | Number of options vested (exercisable) | Grant date fair value ($) | ||||||||||||||
| 24 |
Bunker Hill Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
Unaudited
Effective March 25, 2020, the Board of Directors approved a Restricted Share Unit (“RSU”) Plan to grant RSUs to its officers, directors, key employees and consultants.
The following table summarizes the RSU activity during the periods ended September 30, 2021 and 2020:
| Number of | Weighted average grant date fair value per share | |||||||
| shares | (C$) | |||||||
| Unvested as at December 31, 2019 | $ | |||||||
| Granted (i)(ii) | ||||||||
| Unvested as at September 30, 2020 | $ | |||||||
| Unvested as at December 31, 2020 | $ | |||||||
| Granted (v)(vi)(vii) | ||||||||
| Vested | ( |
) | ||||||
| Forfeited | ( |
) | ||||||
| Unvested as at September 30, 2021 | $ | |||||||
| (i) |
| (ii) |
| (iii) |
| (iv) |
| (v) |
| (vi) |
| (vii) |
| 25 |
Bunker Hill Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
Unaudited
Effective April 21, 2020, the Board of Directors approved a Deferred Share Unit (“DSU”) Plan to grant DSUs to its directors. The DSU Plan permits the eligible directors to defer receipt of all or a portion of their retainer or compensation until termination of their services and to receive such fees in the form of cash at that time.
Upon vesting of the DSUs or termination of service as a director, the director will be able to redeem DSUs based upon the then market price of the Company’s common share on the date of redemption in exchange for cash.
Number of shares | Weighted grant
date per share (C$) | |||||||
| Unvested as at December 31, 2019 | ||||||||
| Granted (i) | $ | |||||||
| Unvested as at September 30, 2020, December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2021 | $ | |||||||
| (i) |
| 26 |
Bunker Hill Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
Unaudited
Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||
| September 30, | September 30, | September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) for the period | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Basic income (loss) per share | ||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average number of common shares - basic | ||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) per share – basic | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Diluted income (loss) per share | ||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average number of common shares - basic | ||||||||||||||||
| Diluted effect: | ||||||||||||||||
| Warrants, RSUs, broker options, and stock options | - | - | ||||||||||||||
| Weighted average number of common shares - fully diluted | ||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) per share - fully diluted | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||
13. Commitments and contingencies
As
stipulated by the agreements with Placer Mining as described in note 5, the Company is required to make monthly payment of $
As
stipulated in the agreement with the EPA and as described in note 5, the Company is required to make two payments to the EPA, one for
cost-recovery, and the other for water treatment. As at September 30, 2021, $
The
Company has entered into a lease agreement which
On or about June 14, 2021, a lawsuit was filed in the US District Court for the District of Idaho brought by a purported personal representative of the estate of a minority shareholder of Placer Mining. The named defendants include Placer Mining, certain of Placer Mining’s shareholders, the Company, and certain of the Company’s shareholders. The lawsuit alleges that Placer Mining entered into a series of transactions, including amendments to the Company’s lease with Placer Mining, in breach of an agreement dated August 31, 2018, which allegedly restricted the sale of shares in Placer Mining by certain shareholders. On August 13, 2021, the Company filed a motion to dismiss the claim for lack of jurisdiction and standing. On September 3, 2021, the plaintiff responded to the motion to dismiss and agreed that Placer Mining should be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. The Company, as well as other named defendants, filed replies in support of the motions to dismiss and argued that Placer Mining is an indispensable party and with dismissal of Placer Mining the lawsuit should be dismissed. The US District Court has not ruled on the motions to dismiss but the Company believes the motion to dismiss will be granted and the lawsuit dismissed.
On July 28, 2021, a lawsuit was filed in the US District Court for the District of Idaho brought by Crescent Mining, LLC (“Crescent”). The named defendants include Placer Mining, Robert Hopper Jr., and the Company. The lawsuit alleges that Placer Mining and Robert Hopper Jr. intentionally flooded the Crescent Mine during the period from 1991 and 1994, and that the Company is jointly and severally liable with the other defendants for unspecified past and future costs associated with the presence of AMD in the Crescent Mine. The plaintiff has requested unspecified damages.
The Company believes the claims in both lawsuits, as they relate to Bunker Hill, are without merit and intends to defend them vigorously.
| 27 |
Bunker Hill Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
Unaudited
14. Related party transactions
Compensation of key management personnel
The Company’s key management personnel have the authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Company and consists of the Company’s executive management team and management directors.
| Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||
| September 30, | September 30, | September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||
| Consulting fees | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
At
September 30, 2021, $
Share subscriptions
During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the CEO of the Company subscribed for units in the February 2021 Offering.
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company issued February 2021 Units at a deemed price of $
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company issued February 2021 Units at a deemed price of $
| 28 |
Bunker Hill Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
Unaudited
15. Financial instruments
Fair values
The carrying amounts reported in the condensed interim consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable excluding HST, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, DSU liability, lease liability and promissory note payable, all of which are financial instruments, are a reasonable estimate of fair value because of the short period of time between the origination of such instruments and their expected realization and current market rate of interest. The Company measured its DSU liability at fair value on recurring basis using level 1 inputs and derivative warrant liabilities at fair value on recurring basis using level 3 inputs. There were no transfers of financial instruments between levels 1, 2, and 3 during the period ended September 30, 2021 and year ended December 31, 2020.
Foreign currency risk
Foreign currency risk is the risk that changes the rates of exchange on foreign currencies will impact the financial position of cash flows of the Company. The Company is exposed to foreign currency risks in relation to certain activities that are to be settled in Canadian dollars. Management monitors its foreign currency exposure regularly to minimize the risk of an adverse impact on its cash flows.
Concentration of credit risk
Concentration of credit risk is the risk of loss in the event that certain counterparties are unable to fulfill its obligations to the Company. The Company’s financial instruments that are exposed to concentrations of credit risk primarily consist of its cash and cash equivalents. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with financial institutions of high credit worthiness. At times, its cash equivalents with a particular financial institution may exceed any applicable government insurance limits. The Company’s management also routinely assesses the financial strength and credit worthiness of any parties to which it extends funds and as such, it believes that any associated credit risk exposures are limited.
Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company’s consolidated cash flows from operations will not be sufficient for the Company to continue operating and discharge its liabilities. The Company is exposed to liquidity risk as its continued operation is dependent upon its ability to obtain financing, either in the form of debt or equity, or achieving profitable operations in order to satisfy its liabilities as they come due.
| 29 |
SPECIAL NOTE OF CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this report, including statements in the following discussion, are what are known as “forward looking statements”, which are basically statements about the future. For that reason, these statements involve risk and uncertainty since no one can accurately predict the future. Words such as “plans,” “intends,” “will,” “hopes,” “seeks,” “anticipates,” “expects “and the like often identify such forward looking statements, but are not the only indication that a statement is a FORWARD-LOOKING statement. Such forward looking statements include statements concerning THE COMPANY’S plans and objectives with respect to the present and future operations of the Company, and statements which express or imply that such present and future operations will or may produce revenues, income or profits. Numerous factors and future events could cause the Company to change such plans and objectives or fail to successfully implement such plans or achieve such objectives, or cause such present and future operations to fail to produce revenues, income or profits. Therefore, the reader is advised that the following discussion should be considered in light of the discussion of risks and other factors contained in this report and in the Company’s other filings with the UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (“SEC”). NO STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION SHOULD BE CONSTRUED AS A GUARANTEE OR ASSURANCE OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE OR FUTURE RESULTS.
| 30 |
| ITEM 2. | MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
In this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”), the “Company” refers to Bunker Hill Mining Corp. and its consolidated subsidiaries, except where the context requires otherwise. You should read this discussion in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements, the related MD&A and the discussion of our Business and Properties in its report on Form 10-KT for the six months ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC. The results of operations reported and summarized below are not necessarily indicative of future operating results (refer to “Special Note of Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” above for further discussion). References to “Notes” are Notes included in the Company’s Notes to Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).
COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic Response and Impact
Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus global pandemic (“COVID-19”) in early 2020, in March 2020 the U.S. Centers for Disease Control issued guidelines to mitigate the spread and health consequences of COVID-19. The Company implemented changes to its operations and business practices to follow the guidelines and minimize physical interaction, including using technology to allow employees to work from home when possible. As long as they are required, the operational practices implemented could have an adverse impact on our results. The negative impact of COVID-19 remains uncertain, including on overall business and market conditions. There is uncertainty related to the potential additional impacts COVID-19 could have on our operations and financial results for the year.
Description of Business
Corporate Information
The Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada, U.S.A on February 20, 2007 under the name Lincoln Mining Corp. On February 11, 2010, the Company changed its name to Liberty Silver Corp and subsequently, on September 29, 2017, the Company changed its name to Bunker Hill Mining Corp. The Company’s registered office is located at 1802 N. Carson Street, Suite 212, Carson City Nevada 89701, and its head office is located at 82 Richmond Street East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5C 1P1, and its telephone number is 416-477-7771. The Company’s website is www.bunkerhillmining.com. Information appearing on the website is not incorporated by reference into this report.
| 31 |
Current Operations
Overview
The Company was incorporated for the purpose of engaging in sustainable mineral exploration, development and mining activities. The Company’s sole focus is the Bunker Hill mine and assets related thereto (the “Mine”), as described below.
On August 28, 2017, the Company announced that it signed a definitive agreement with Placer Mining Corporation (“Placer Mining”), the current owner of the Mine, for the lease and option to purchase the Mine in Idaho (the “Lease and Option Agreement”).
On November 1, 2019, the Lease and Option Agreement was amended (the “Amended Agreement”). Under the terms of the Amended Agreement, the Company has an option to purchase the marketable assets of the Mine for a purchase price of $11,000,000 at any time prior to the expiration of the Amended Agreement, payable $6,200,000 in cash, and $4,800,000 in unregistered Common Shares of the Company (calculated using the market price at the time of exercise of the purchase option). Upon signing the Amended Agreement, the Company paid a one-time, non-refundable cash payment of $300,000 to Placer Mining. This payment will be applied to the cash portion of the purchase price upon execution of the purchase option. In the event the Company elects not to exercise the purchase option, the payment shall be treated as an additional care and maintenance payment. An additional term of the Amended Agreement provides for the elimination of all royalty payments that were to be paid to Placer Mining.
Under the terms of the Amended Agreement, during the term of the lease, the Company must make care and maintenance payments in the amount of $60,000 monthly plus other expenses, i.e., taxes, utilities and mine rescue payments.
On July 27, 2020, the Company announced that it secured, for a $150,000 cash payment, a further extension to the Lease and Option, Amended and Extension Agreements to purchase the Mine from Placer Mining (the “Second Extension”). The Second Extension is for a further 18 months and is in addition to the 6-month extension. This Second Extension expires on August 1, 2022.
On November 20, 2020, the Company successfully renegotiated the Amended Agreement. Under the new terms, the purchase price has been decreased from $11,000,000 to $7,700,000, with $5,700,000 payable in cash (with an aggregate of $300,000 to be credited toward the purchase price of the Mine as having been previously paid by the Company and an aggregate of $5,400,000 payable in cash outstanding) and $2,000,000 in Common Shares of the Company. The reference price for the payment in Common Shares will be based on the share price of the last equity raise before the option is exercised. The Company will continue to make a monthly care and maintenance payment of $60,000 to the Lessor in return for on-going technical support to the Company. Under this amendment to the Amended Agreement, the Company’s contingent obligation to settle $1,787,300 of accrued payments due to the Lessor has been waived. Further, under the amendment to the Amended Agreement, the Company is to make an advance payment of $2,000,000 to Placer Mining, which shall be credited toward the purchase price of the Mine when the Company elects to exercise its purchase right. In the event that the Company irrevocably elects not to exercise its purchase right, the advance payment of $2,000,000 will be repaid to the Company within twelve months from the date of such election. The Company made this advance payment, which had the effect of decreasing the remaining amount payable to purchase the Mine to an aggregate of $3,400,000 payable in cash and $2,000,000 in Common Shares of the Company.
As a part of the purchase price, the Amended Agreement also requires payments pursuant to an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) whereby for so long as the Company leases, owns and/or occupies the Mine, the Company will make payments to the EPA on behalf of Placer Mining in satisfaction of the EPA’s claim for cost recovery. These payments, if all are made, will total $20,000,000. The agreement calls for payments starting with $1,000,000 30 days after a fully ratified agreement was signed (which payment was made) followed by $2,000,000 on November 1, 2018 and $3,000,000 on each of the next 5 anniversaries with a final $2,000,000 payment on November 1, 2024. In addition to these payments, the Company is to make semi-annual payments of $480,000 on June 1 and December 1 of each year, to cover the EPA’s estimated costs of maintaining and treating water at the water treatment facility with a true-up to be paid by the Company once the actual costs are determined. The November 1, 2018, December 1, 2018, June 1, 2019, November 1, 2019 and November 1, 2020 payments, totaling $8,960,000, were not made, and concurrent with discussions concerning the long-term water management solutions the Company is having discussions with the EPA in an effort to reschedule these payments in ways that enable the sustainable operation of the Mine as a viable long-term business.
| 32 |
The Mine remains the largest single producing mine by tonnage in the Coeur d’Alene lead, zinc and silver mining district in Northern Idaho. Historically and according to the Bunker Hill Mines Annual Report 1980, the Mine produced over 35,000,000 tonnes of ore grading on average 8.76% lead, 3.67% zinc, and 155 g/t silver. The Mine is the Company’s only focus, with a view to raising capital to rehabilitate the mine and put it back into production.
The Company believes that there are numerous exploration targets of opportunity left in the Mine from surface, in parallel to known and mined mineralization and at depth, below existing workings. In addition to the zinc-rich zones, these also include high-grade lead-silver veins which are currently the primary focus of the Company’s exploration programs.
Products
The Mine is a lead-silver-zinc Mine. When back in production, the Company intends to mill mineralized material on-site or at a local third-party mill to produce both lead-silver and zinc concentrates which will then be shipped to third party smelters for processing.
The Company will continue to explore the property with a view to proving additional resources.
Infrastructure
The acquisition of the Mine includes all mining rights and claims, surface rights, fee parcels, mineral interests, easements, existing infrastructure at Milo Gulch, and the majority of machinery and buildings at the Kellogg Tunnel portal level, as well as all equipment and infrastructure anywhere underground at the Bunker Hill Mine Complex. The acquisition also includes all current and historic data relating to the Bunker Hill Mine Complex, such as drill logs, reports, maps, and similar information located at the Mine site or any other location.
Government Regulation and Approval
The current exploration activities and any future mining operations are subject to extensive laws and regulations governing the protection of the environment, waste disposal, worker safety, mine construction, and protection of endangered and protected species. The Company has made, and expects to make in the future, significant expenditures to comply with such laws and regulations. Future changes in applicable laws, regulations and permits or changes in their enforcement or regulatory interpretation could have an adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
It is anticipated that it may be necessary to obtain the following environmental permits or approved plans:
| ● | Reclamation and Closure Plan | |
| ● | Water Discharge Permit | |
| ● | Air Quality Operating Permit | |
| ● | Obtaining Water Rights for Operations |
Property Description
The Amended Agreement includes mineral rights to approximately 440 patented mining claims covering over 5700 acres. Of these claims, 35 include surface ownership of approximately 259 acres. The transaction also includes certain parcels of fee property which includes mineral and surface rights but not patented mining claims. Mining claims and fee properties are located in Townships 47, 48 North, Range 2 East, Townships 47, 48 North, Range 3 East, Boise Meridian, Shoshone County, Idaho.
The Amended Agreement specifically excludes the following: the Machine Shop Building and Parcel number 21 including all fixed equipment located inside the building and personal property located upon this parcel; unmilled ore located at the Mine yard; and residual lead/zinc ore mined and broken, but not removed from the Mine.
Surface rights were originally owned by various previous owners of the claims until the acquisition of the properties by Bunker Limited Partners (“BLP”). BLP sold off surface rights to various parties over the years while maintaining access to conduct mining operations and exploration activities as well as easements to a cross over and access other of its properties containing mineral rights. Said rights were reserved to its assigns and successors in continuous perpetuity. Idaho Law also allows mineral right holders access to mine and explore for minerals on properties to which they hold minerals rights.
Title to all patented mining claims included in the transaction was transferred from Bunker Hill Mining Co. (U.S.) Inc. by Warranty Deed in 1992. The sale of the property was approved of by the U.S. Trustee and U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
Over 90% of surface ownership of patented mining claims not owned by Placer Mining is owned by different landowners. These include: Stimpson Lumber Co.; Riley Creek Lumber Co.; Powder LLC.; Golf LLC.; C & E Tree Farms; and Northern Lands LLC.
Patented mining claims in the State of Idaho do not require permits for underground mining activities to commence on private lands. Other permits associated with underground mining may be required, such as water discharge and site disturbance permits. The water discharge is being handled by the EPA at the existing CTP. The Company expects to take on the water treatment responsibility in the future and obtain an appropriate discharge permit.
| 33 |
Competition
The Company competes with other mining and exploration companies in connection with the acquisition of mining claims and leases on zinc and other base and precious metals prospects as well as in connection with the recruitment and retention of qualified employees. Many of these companies are much larger than the Company, have greater financial resources and have been in the mining business for much longer than it has. As such, these competitors may be in a better position through size, finances and experience to acquire suitable exploration and development properties. The Company may not be able to compete against these companies in acquiring new properties and/or qualified people to work on its current project, or any other properties that may be acquired in the future.
Given the size of the world market for base precious metals such as silver, lead and zinc, relative to the number of individual producers and consumers, it is believed that no single company has sufficient market influence to significantly affect the price or supply of these metals in the world market.
Employees
The Company has two employees in executive positions. The balance of the Company’s operations is contracted for as consultants.
Completed Work and Future Plan of Operations
Officer Appointment
Effective as of January 12, 2021, the Board appointed Mr. David Wiens to the role of Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary of the Company, replacing Mr. Wayne Parsons, who continues to serve on the Board.
Financing Transaction
On February 24, 2021, the Company closed a non-brokered private placement of 19,994,080 Units of the Company at C$0.40 per Unit for gross proceeds of $6,618,069 (C$7,830,544). Each Unit consists of one Common Share of the Company and one Common Share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to acquire one Common Share of the Company at a price of C$0.60 per Common Share for a period of five years. Pursuant to the offering, certain directors and officers of the Company acquired 626,580 Units. This issuance of such Units in connection with the offering was considered a “related party transaction” as such term is defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (“MI 61-101”).
Mineral Resources
Concurrent with the digitization work, and since March 2020, the Company has been working systematically to bring a number of mineralized zones into accordance with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) through drilling and channel sampling of the open stopes. This work focused upon the mineralization that is closest to the existing infrastructure and above the current water-level.
On March 19, 2021, the Company announced an updated mineral resources estimate consisting of a total of 4.4 million tons in the Indicated category, containing 3.0 million ounces of silver, 487 million pounds of zinc, and 176 million pounds of lead; and a total of 5.6 million tons in the Inferred category, containing 8.3 million ounces of silver, 548 million pounds of zinc, and 312 million pounds of lead.
On May 3, 2021, the Company filed a technical report entitled “Technical Report for the Bunker Hill Mine, Coeur d’Alene Mining District, Shoshone County, Idaho, USA” with an effective date of March 22, 2021 prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 in support of such mineral resources estimate. Further details regarding the Company’s mineral resources estimate, including estimation methodologies, can be found in the technical report filed on EDGAR and SEDAR .
It should be noted that mineral resources as stated above, including those delineated in the Inferred, Measured and Indicated categories, are not mineral reserves as defined by SEC guidelines, and do now show demonstrated economic viability. Due to the uncertainty that may be attached to Inferred mineral resources, it cannot be assumed that all or any part of an Inferred mineral resource will be upgraded to an Indicated or Measured mineral resource as a result of continued exploration.
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Exploration
With the completion of exploration drilling related to the updated mineral resources estimate as announced on March 19, 2021 (as described above), the Company’s exploration strategy has been focused on high-grade silver targets within the upper areas of the Mine that have been identified by the data review and digitization process. The aim of this program is to identify, develop and add high-grade silver resources in ways that materially increase the quantity of silver resources relative to lead and zinc.
Consistent with that strategy and concurrent with the announcement of the updated mineral resources estimate, the Company announced the identification of a new silver exploration opportunity in the hanging wall of the Cate Fault which it intends to include in its ongoing drilling campaign. In conjunction with this drilling campaign, continued digitization, geologic modeling and interpretation will continue to focus on identifying additional high grade silver exploration targets.
On March 29, 2021, the Company announced multiple high-grade silver mineralization results through chip-channel sampling of newly accessible areas of the Mine identified through the Company’s proprietary 3D digitization program, and as part of its ongoing silver-focused drilling program. An area was identified on the 9-level that resulted in ten separate chip samples greater than 900 g/t AgEq(1), each with minimum 0.6m length. Mineralization remains open up dip, down dip and along strike from the sampling location. The Company also reported drill results including a 3.8m intercept with a grade of 996.6 g/t AgEq(1), intersected at the down-dip extension of the UTZ zone at the 5-level. The Company will continue to report mineralized drill intercepts concurrent with the receipt of data from its exploration program.
On September 23, 2021, the Company announced that it has completed an extensive ground geophysical survey spanning approximately 1,200 acres of previously un-explored ground immediately to the south and south-west of historic underground workings, conducted as a high-resolution 3D IP (DCIP) survey method. The coverage area will extend to a depth of approximately 1,300 feet, with the objective of identifying near-surface drilling targets that are directly accessible from existing workings. The program was completed during the third quarter of 2021 and finalized data from the geophysics is expected in November 2021.
| (1) | Prices used to calculate Ag Eq are as follows: Zn=$1.16/lb; Pb=$0.92/lb; and Ag=$20/oz. |
Water Management Optimization
The EPA currently provides mine water treatment services for the Mine to ensure compliance with existing discharge standards. This is done via its management of the EPA’s Central Treatment Plant (“CTP”), located adjacent and downstream to the Mine. Although it also treats other contaminated water collected from other sources in the vicinity, with respect to its service to the Mine, this facility treats all the water that exits the Kellogg Tunnel before it is discharged into the South Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River.
In September 2020, the Company began its water management program with the goal of improving the understanding of the Mine’s water system and enacting immediate improvement in the water quality of effluent leaving the mine for treatment at the CTP. Informed by historical research provided by the EPA, the Company initiated a study of the water system of the mine to: i) identify of the areas where sulphuric acid (Acid Mine Drainage, or “AMD”) is generated in the greatest and most concentrated quantities, and ii) understand the general flow paths of AMD on its way through and out of the mine as it travels to the CTP.
Leveraging its improved understanding through this study, on February 11, 2021, the Company announced the successful commissioning of a water pre-treatment plant located within the Mine, designed to significantly improve the quality of Mine water discharge, which in turn would support a rapid restart of the Mine. Specifically, the water pre-treatment plant achieves this goal by reducing significantly the amount of treatment required at the CTP, and the associated costs, before the Mine water is discharged into the south fork of the Coeur d’Alene River, removing over 70% of the metals from water before it leaves the Mine, with the potential for further improvements.
In an effort to improve transparency to all stakeholders with regard to the results of this system, the Company launched a water quality tracking platform on its website on March 15, 2021, which uploads real-time data every five minutes and provides an interactive database to allow detailed historical analysis.
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Infrastructure Review
The Mine main level is termed the nine level and is the largest level in the Mine. It is connected to the surface by the approximately 12,000 foot-long Kellogg Tunnel. Three major inclined shafts with associated hoists and hoistrooms are located on the nine level. These are the No. 1 shaft, which is used for primary muck hoisting in the main part of the Mine; the No. 2 shaft, which is a primary shaft for men and materials in the main part of the Mine; and the No. 3 Shaft, which is used for personnel, materials and muck hoisting for development in the northwest part of the Mine.
The top stations of these shafts and the associated hoistrooms and equipment have all been examined by Company personnel and are in moderately good condition. The Company believes that all three shafts remain in a condition that they are repairable and can be bought back into good working order over the next few years.
The water level in the Mine is held at approximately the ten level of the Mine, roughly 200 feet below the nine level. The Mine was historically developed to the 27 level, although the 25 level was the last major level that underwent significant development and past mining. Each level is approximately 200 feet vertically apart.
The southeastern part of the Mine was historically serviced by the Cherry Raise, which consisted of a two-compartment shaft with double drum hoisting capability that ran at an incline up from the nine level to the four level. The central part of the Mine was serviced upward by the Last Chance Shaft from the nine level to the historic three or four level. Neither the Cherry Raise or the Last Chance shaft are serviceable at this time. However, the upper part of the Mine from eight level up to the four level has been developed by past operators by a thorough-going rubber tire ramp system, which is judged to be about 65% complete.
The Company has repaired the first several thousand feet of the Russell Tunnel, which is a large rubber-tire capable tunnel with an entry point at the head of Milo Gulch. This tunnel will provide early access to the UTZ Zone, and Quill and Newgard Zones, following ramp and access development. The Company has made development plans to provide interconnectivity of the ramp system from the Russell Tunnel at the four level down to the eight level, with further plans to extend the ramp down to the nine level. Thus rubber-tired equipment will be used for mining and haulage throughout the upper Mine mineral zones, which have already been identified, and for newly found zones.
The Kellogg Tunnel will be used as a tracked rail haulage tunnel for supply of personnel and materials into the Mine and for haulage of mined material out of the Mine. Historically, the Kellogg Tunnel was used in this manner when the Mine was producing upwards of 3,000 tons per day of mined material. The Company has inspected the Kellogg Tunnel for its entire length and has determined that significant timbered sections of the tunnel will need extensive repairs. These are areas that intersect various faults passing through the Kellogg Tunnel at normal to oblique angles and create unstable ground.
The Company has determined that all of the track, as well as spikes, plates and ties holding the track will need to be replaced, and has started that process in support of the on-going exploration program. Additionally, the water ditch that runs parallel to the track will need to be thoroughly cleaned out and new timber supports and boards that keep the water contained in its path will need to be installed. All new water lines, compressed air lines and electric power feeds will also need to be installed. The total cost estimate for this Kellogg Tunnel work is still in process as of the date hereof, but the time estimate for these repairs is approximately twelve months.
Bunker Hill Mine Restart Developments and Preliminary Economic Assessment
In November 2020, the Company launched a Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) to assess the potential for a rapid restart of the Mine for minimal capital by focusing on the de-watered upper areas of the Mine, utilizing existing infrastructure, and based on truck haulage and toll milling methods.
To support the Company’s strategy of targeting a rapid production restart as outlined above, development drilling subsequent to November 2020 focused on targets in the upper levels of the Mine located in close proximity to existing infrastructure, aimed at expanding the resource base for the PEA.
In January 2021, the Company reported continued progress towards completing a PEA and further detailed the potential parameters of the restart, including: i) low up-front capital costs through utilization of existing infrastructure, potentially enabling a rapid production restart; ii) a staged approach to mining, potentially supporting a long-life operation; iii) underground processing and tailings deposition with potential for high recovery rates; iv) development of a sustainable operation with minimal environmental footprint; and v) potential increase in the existing resource base.
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On April 20, 2021, the Company reported the results of its PEA for the Mine. The PEA contemplates a $42 million initial capital cost (including 20% contingency) to rapidly restart the Mine, generating approximately $20 million of annual average free cash flow over a 10-year mine life, and producing over 550 million pounds of zinc, 290 million pounds of lead, and 7 million ounces of silver at all-in sustaining costs of $0.65 per payable pound of zinc (net of by-products). The PEA contemplates a low environmental footprint, long-term water management solution, and significant positive economic impact for the Shoshone County, Idaho community. The PEA is based on the mineral resources estimate described above and published on March 22, 2021, following the drilling program conducted in 2020 and early 2021 to validate the historical reserves. The PEA includes a mining inventory of 5.5Mt, which represents a portion of the 4.4Mt Indicated mineral resource and 5.6Mt Inferred mineral resource. Further details regarding the PEA can be found in the news release dated April 20, 2021 on EDGAR, SEDAR and the Company’s website www.bunkerhillmining.com. In addition, on June 4, 2021, the Company filed the Preliminary Economic Assessment report, entitled “NI 43-101 Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment of the Bunker Hill Mine” on SEDAR. There were no material differences between the key results, assumptions and estimates contained in the report filed on June 4, 2021 and the news release dated April 20, 2021.
The PEA is preliminary in nature and includes Inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. There is no certainty that the project described in the PEA will be realized. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
On April 27, 2021, the Company announced that it had engaged Cutfield Freeman & Co. to provide independent advice on all aspects of restart mining finance related to the Mine.
It should be noted that mineral resources as stated above, including those delineated in the Inferred, Measured and Indicated categories, are not mineral reserves as defined by SEC guidelines, and do now show demonstrated economic viability. Due to the uncertainty that may be attached to Inferred mineral resources, it cannot be assumed that all or any part of an Inferred mineral resource will be upgraded to an Indicated or Measured mineral resource as a result of continued exploration.
On September 20, 2021, the Company reported the results of its new PEA for the Mine. The PEA contemplates a $44 million initial capital cost (including 20% contingency) to rapidly restart the Mine, generating approximately $25 million of annual average free cash flow over a 11-year mine life, and producing over 591 million pounds of zinc, 323 million pounds of lead, and 8 million ounces of silver at all-in sustaining costs of $0.47 per payable pound of zinc (net of by-products). The PEA contemplates a low environmental footprint, long-term water management solution, and significant positive economic impact for the Shoshone County, Idaho community. The PEA is based on the mineral resources estimate described above and published on March 22, 2021, following the drilling program conducted in 2020 and early 2021 to validate the historical reserves. The PEA includes a mining inventory of 6.4Mt, which represents a portion of the 4.4Mt Indicated mineral resource and 5.6Mt Inferred mineral resource. Further details regarding the PEA can be found in the news release dated September 20, 2021 on EDGAR, SEDAR and the Company’s website www.bunkerhillmining.com. There were no material differences between the key results, assumptions and estimates contained in the report filed on June 4, 2021 and the news release dated April 20, 2021.
London Mining District Joint Venture
On October 4, 2021, the Company announced its intention to enter into a joint venture with MineWater Finance LLC to explore the mineral potential of the London gold mine, and the surrounding district, in Colorado, USA. London Mining District produced gold and silver from 1875 to 1942, including over 650,000 gold ounces from the London Mine.
Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis provides information that the Company believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of its results of operation and financial condition for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020. Unless otherwise stated, all figures herein are expressed in U.S. dollars, which is the functional currency of the Company.
Comparison of the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020
Revenue
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020, the Company generated no revenue.
Operating Expenses
During the three months ended September 30, 2021, the Company reported total operating expenses of $2,464,945 as compared to $6,105,916 during the three months ended September 30, 2020, a decrease of $3,640,971 or approximately 60%.
The decrease in total operating expenses during the three months ended September 30, 2021 was primarily due to a decrease in exploration expense of $3,745,464 ($1,465,157 in the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to $5,210,621 in the three months ended September 30, 2020) due to lower drilling activity and related expenses. The decrease in operation and administration expenses ($221,451 in the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to $552,789 in the three months ended September 30, 2020) was mostly due to lower stock-based compensation expensed during the three months ended September 30, 2021. The increase in legal and accounting, and consulting in the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2020 was due to increased corporate activity, and legal, professional and consulting expenses related to completion of the updated PEA.
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During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company reported total operating expenses of $12,384,474 as compared to $11,058,237 during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, an increase of $1,326,237 or approximately 12%.
The increase was due to significant additional accrual for water treatment charges from the EPA and additional exploration expenses resulting from the Company’s drilling activities in the first half of 2021, and additional legal and consulting expenses related to the completion of the updated PEA.
For financial accounting purposes, the Company reports all direct exploration expenses under the exploration expense line item of the Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. Certain indirect expenses may be reported as operation and administration expense or consulting expense on the statement of operations.
Net Income and Comprehensive Income
The Company reported net income and comprehensive income of $3,960,630 for the three months ended September 30, 2021, compared to net loss and comprehensive loss of $267,859 for the three months ended September 30, 2020, an increase of $4,228,489. The Company also reported net income and comprehensive income of $9,843,495 for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to net loss and comprehensive loss of $13,848,837 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The increase in net income and comprehensive income was primarily due to a gain related to the change in derivative liability of $6,460,513 for the three months ended September 30, 2021, and $22,172,681 for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, as compared to a gain of $9,311,304 for the three months ended September 30, 2020, and a gain of $1,096,476 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The gain in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 related mostly to the fair value decrease of the Company’s outstanding warrants due to a decrease in the Company’s share price.
ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company does not have sufficient working capital needed to meet its current fiscal obligations and commitments, including commitments associated with the acquisition of the Mine. In order to continue to meet its fiscal obligations in the current fiscal year and beyond, the Company must seek additional financing. This raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Its ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon the ability of the Company to generate profitable operations in the future and/or to obtain the necessary financing to meet its obligations and repay its liabilities arising from normal business operations when they come due. Management is considering various financing alternatives including, but not limited to, raising capital through the capital markets and debt financing.
As noted previously, the Company has engaged Cutfield Freeman & Co. to provide independent advice on all aspects of restart mining financing related to the Mine, including the acquisition of the Mine. Management is considering various financing alternatives including, but not limited to, raising capital through the capital markets, debt financing and royalty/streaming arrangements.
The Company is also working to secure adequate capital to continue making lease payments, payments to the EPA, conduct exploration activities on site and cover general and administrative expenses associated with managing a public company.
In February 2021, the Company closed a non-brokered private placement of 19,994,080 units of the Company at C$0.40 per unit for gross cash proceeds of $6,168,069 (C$7,830,544). Each unit consists of one Common Share of the Company and one Common Share purchase warrant, which entitles the holder to acquire one Common Share at a price of C$0.60 per Common Share for a period of five years. In connection with the financing, the Company paid a cash commission of C$140,400 and issued 351,000 finder options, which are exercisable into units at an exercise price of C$0.40 for a period of three years. Pursuant to the offering, certain directors and officers of the Company acquired 626,580 Units. This issuance of such Units in connection with the offering was considered a “related party transaction” as such term is defined under MI 61-101.
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The Company has accounted for the warrants issued through units issuance in accordance with ASC Topic 815. These warrants issued through units issuance are considered derivative instruments as they were issued in a currency other than the Company’s functional currency of the U.S. dollar. The estimated fair value of warrants accounted for as liabilities was determined on the date of issue and marks to market at each financial reporting period. The change in fair value of the warrant liability is recorded in the interim condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income as a gain or loss and is estimated using the Binomial model.
The Company’s operations could be significantly adversely affected by the effects of a widespread global outbreak of a contagious disease, including the current outbreak of respiratory illness caused by COVID-19. The Company cannot accurately predict the impact COVID-19 will have on its operations and the ability of others to meet their obligations with the Company, including uncertainties relating to the ultimate geographic spread of the virus, the severity of the disease, the duration of the outbreak, and the length of travel and quarantine restrictions imposed by governments of affected countries. In addition, a significant outbreak of contagious diseases in the human population could result in a widespread health crisis that could adversely affect the economies and financial markets of many countries, resulting in an economic downturn that could further affect the Company’s operations and ability to finance its operations.
Current Assets and Total Assets
As of September 30, 2021, the Company’s balance sheet reflects that the Company had: i) total current assets of $2,930,905 compared to total current assets of $4,045,618 at December 31, 2020, a decrease of $1,114,713 or approximately 28%; and ii) total assets of $5,510,252, compared to total assets of $6,709,016 at December 31, 2020, a decrease of $1,198,764 or approximately 18%. The decrease in current assets was mostly impacted by the decrease in cash and cash equivalents, primarily due to the Company’s spending related to exploration partially offset by proceeds of $6,008,672 from the non-brokered private placement closed on February 24, 2021, and $2,500,000 of proceeds from the Company’s promissory note issued on September 22, 2021.
Current Liabilities and Total Liabilities
As of September 30, 2021, the Company’s balance sheet reflects that the Company had total current liabilities of $17,949,659 and total liabilities of $23,596,319, compared to total current liabilities of $14,178,553 and total liabilities of $38,246,613 as of December 31, 2020. The increase in current liabilities is impacted by the new promissory note issued in September and accruals related to water treatment charges from the EPA. The decrease in non-current and total liabilities is primarily due to a decrease in derivative warrant liability as a result of a decrease in the Company’s share price over the nine months ended September 30, 2021.
Working Capital
As of September 30, 2021, the Company had negative working capital of $15,018,754 compared to negative working capital of $10,132,935 as of December 31, 2020. The increase in negative working capital was due to the decrease in cash and cash equivalents primarily related to exploration activity, and additional liability accrued in relation to water treatment charges from the EPA.
Cash Flow
During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, cash was primarily used to fund activities at the Mine operations including exploration and property payments. The Company reported a net decrease in cash of $1,055,412 during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to a net increase of $8,555,910 during the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The decrease in cash during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 is a result of $9,372,253 of net cash used in operating activities, $94,693 used in investing activities, and $8,411,534 of net cash provided by financing activities including the non-brokered private placement closed on February 24, 2021 and proceeds from the promissory note issued on September 22, 2021.
Going Concern
These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statement filings have been prepared on the going concern basis, which assumes that adequate sources of financing will be obtained as required and that the Company’s assets will be realized, and liabilities settled in due course of business. Accordingly, the interim condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability of assets and classification of assets and liabilities that might be necessary should the Company not be able to continue as a going concern. The going concern assumption is discussed in the financial statements Note 1 – Nature and Continuance of Operations and Going Concern.
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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
The preparation of the interim condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Estimates and judgments are continuously evaluated and are based on management’s experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual outcomes can differ from these estimates. The key sources of estimation uncertainty that have a significant risk of causing material adjustment to the amounts recognized in the financial statements are:
Share-based payments
Management determines costs for share-based payments using market-based valuation techniques. The fair value of the share awards and warrant liabilities are determined at the date of grant using generally accepted valuation techniques and for warrant liabilities at each balance sheet date thereafter. Assumptions are made and judgment used in applying valuation techniques. These assumptions and judgments include estimating the future volatility of the stock price and expected dividend yield. Such judgments and assumptions are inherently uncertain. Changes in these assumptions affect the fair value estimates.
Warrants and accrued liabilities
Estimating the fair value of derivative warrant liability requires determining the most appropriate valuation model, which is dependent on the terms and conditions of the issuance. This estimate also requires determining the most appropriate inputs to the valuation model including the expected life of the warrants and conversion feature derivative liability, volatility and dividend yield and making assumptions about them.
The Company has to make estimates to accrue for certain expenditures due to delay in receipt of third party vendor invoices. These accruals are made based on trends, history and knowledge of activities. Actual results may be different.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements.
| ITEM 3. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK. |
Not Applicable.
| ITEM 4. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES. |
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) defines the term “disclosure controls and procedures” to mean a company’s controls and other procedures of an issuer that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company maintains such a system of controls and procedures in an effort to ensure that all information which it is required to disclose in the reports it files under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified under the SEC’s rules and forms and that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to principal executive and principal financial officers to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.
As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company made an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the disclosure controls and procedures over financial reporting for the timely alert to material information required to be included in the Company’s periodic SEC reports and of ensuring that such information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified. This evaluation resulted in the identification of significant deficiencies. Based on the context in which the individual deficiencies occurred, management has concluded that these significant deficiencies, in combination, represent a material weakness. The Company’s CEO and CFO also concluded that updates to the disclosure controls and procedures should be made to improve the effectiveness of the controls and procedures to provide reasonable assurance of the assurance of these objectives.
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Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Mitigating these significant deficiencies, however, is that, commencing in 2020 and 2021, the Company has a new management team and new members of the Board of Directors, including a new Chair of the Audit Committee, and a new Chief Financial Officer, which are focused on transitioning the Company to a new management approach, modern thinking, new systems and practices, modern approaches to engagement and a system of internal controls and procedures. Management’s daily involvement in the business provides it with more than adequate knowledge to identify the areas of financial reporting risks and related controls. In addition, the procedures followed are integrated within the daily responsibilities of the Company’s employees, allowing management to rely on their own intimate knowledge and supervision of controls. As the Company’s business plan is implemented and additional staff is added, management will be able to address these significant deficiencies and the resulting material weakness.
Management has also engaged a contract Controller and a third-party firm to assist in developing Disclosure Controls and Procedures and Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting. The Company intends to remediate these significant deficiencies dependent on having the financial resources available to complete them.
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
| ITEM 1. | LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. |
Other than as described below, neither the Company nor its property is the subject of any current, pending, or threatened legal proceedings. The Company is not aware of any other legal proceedings in which any director, officer or affiliate of the Company, any owner of record or beneficially of more than 5% of any class of the Company’s voting securities, or any associate of any such director, officer, affiliate or security holder of the Company, is a party adverse to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or has a material interest adverse to the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
On or about June 14, 2021, a lawsuit was filed in the US District Court for the District of Idaho brought by a purported personal representative of the estate of a minority shareholder of Placer Mining. The named defendants include Placer Mining, certain of Placer Mining’s shareholders, the Company, and certain of the Company’s shareholders. The lawsuit alleges that Placer Mining entered into a series of transactions, including amendments to the Company’s lease with Placer Mining, in breach of an agreement dated August 31, 2018 which allegedly restricted the sale of shares in Placer Mining by certain shareholders. In August 2021, the Company and other defendants filed motions to dismiss and agreed that Placer Mining should be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. The Company, as well as other named defendants, filed replies in support of the motions to dismiss and argued that Placer Mining is an indispensable party and with dismissal of Placer Mining the lawsuit should be dismissed. The US District Court has not yet ruled on the motions to dismiss, but the Company believes the motion to dismiss will be granted and the lawsuit dismissed.
On July 28, 2021, a lawsuit was filed in the US District Court for the District of Idaho brought by Crescent Mining, LLC (“Crescent”). The named defendants include Placer Mining, Robert Hopper Jr., and the Company. The lawsuit alleges that Placer Mining and Robert Hopper Jr. intentionally flooded the Crescent Mine during the period from 1991 and 1994, and that the Company is jointly and severally liable with the other defendants for unspecified past and future costs associated with the presence of AMD in the Crescent Mine. The plaintiff has requested unspecified damages. On September 20, 2021, the Company filed a motion to dismiss Crescent’s claims against it, contending that such claims are facially deficient. On October 26, 2021, the Company asserted claims against Crescent in a separate lawsuit, Bunker Hill Mining Corporation v. Venzee Technologies Inc. et al, Case No. 2:21-cv-209-REP, filed in the same court on May 14, 2021.
While the Company is not able to predict the outcome of these matters, it does not currently believe that they will result in material liability to the Company.
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| ITEM 1A. | RISK FACTORS. |
Item 1A - Risk Factors of the Company’s report filed on Form 10-KT for the six months ended December 31, 2020 sets forth information relating to important risks and uncertainties that could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition or operating results.
| ITEM 2. | UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS. |
Not Applicable.
| ITEM 3. | DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES. |
None.
| ITEM 4. | MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES. |
The enacted Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“the Act”) requires the operators of mines to include in each periodic report filed with the SEC certain specified disclosures regarding the Company’s history of mine safety. The Company currently does not operate any mines and, as such, is not subject to disclosure requirements regarding mine safety that were imposed by the Act.
| ITEM 5. | OTHER INFORMATION |
Not applicable.
| ITEM 6. | EXHIBITS |
The exhibits required by this item are set forth on the Exhibit Index below.
* Filed Herewith
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| By: | /s/ Sam Ash | |
| Sam Ash, President and Chief Executive Officer | ||
| Date: | November 15, 2021 | |
| By: | /s/ David Wiens | |
| David Wiens, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary | ||
| Date: | November 15, 2021 |
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