UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of May, 2020
Commission File Number: 001-35404
EMX ROYALTY CORPORATION
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)
Suite 501 – 543 Granville Street
Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 1XB
Canada
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
[ ] Form 20-F [X] Form 40-F
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): [ ]
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): [ ]
SUBMITTED HEREWITH
Exhibits:
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
EMX ROYALTY CORPORATION |
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(Registrant) | ||
Date: May 15, 2020 | By: | /s/ Rocio Echegaray |
Name: |
Rocio Echegaray |
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Title: | Corporate Secretary |
EMX ROYALTY CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
March 31, 2020
NOTICE TO READER
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements of EMX Royalty Corporation for the three months ended March 31, 2020 have been prepared by management and approved by the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors of the Company. These condensed consolidated interim financial statements have not been reviewed by the Company's external auditors.
EMX ROYALTY CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
(Unaudited - Expressed in Thousands of Canadian Dollars)
ASSETS | March 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||
Current | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 66,367 | $ | 68,994 | ||
Restricted cash (Note 3) | 5,068 | 1,760 | ||||
Investments (Note 4) | 4,208 | 5,494 | ||||
Loans receivable (Note 6) | 863 | 1,372 | ||||
Trade and settlement receivables, and other assets (Note 5) | 1,670 | 981 | ||||
Prepaid expenses | 459 | 309 | ||||
Total current assets | 78,635 | 78,910 | ||||
Non-current | ||||||
Restricted cash (Note 3) | 204 | 187 | ||||
Property and equipment (Note 7) | 634 | 644 | ||||
Strategic investments (Note 4) | 9,636 | 4,613 | ||||
Exploration and evaluation assets (Note 9) | 1,313 | 1,546 | ||||
Royalty interest (Note 10) | 16,149 | 13,488 | ||||
Reclamation bonds (Note 11) | 786 | 732 | ||||
Deferred income tax asset | 1,971 | 2,107 | ||||
Total non-current assets | 30,693 | 23,317 | ||||
TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 109,328 | $ | 102,227 | ||
LIABILITIES | ||||||
Current | ||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | 1,392 | $ | 1,328 | ||
Advances from joint venture partners (Note 12) | 5,815 | 2,404 | ||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES | 7,207 | 3,732 | ||||
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||
Capital stock (Note 13) | 129,427 | 128,776 | ||||
Reserves | 25,918 | 25,063 | ||||
Deficit | (53,224 | ) | (55,344 | ) | ||
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | 102,121 | 98,495 | ||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | $ | 109,328 | $ | 102,227 |
Nature of operations and going concern (Note 1)
Event subsequent to the reporting date (Note 18)
Approved on behalf of the Board of Directors on May 12, 2020 |
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Signed: "David M Cole" |
Director |
Signed: "Larry Okada" |
Director |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
EMX ROYALTY CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF LOSS
(Unaudited - Expressed in Thousands of Canadian Dollars, Except Per Share Amounts)
Three month period | Three month period | |||||
ended March 31, | ended March 31, | |||||
2020 | 2019 | |||||
REVENUE AND OTHER INCOME (Note 8) | $ | 751 | $ | 1,415 | ||
COSTS AND EXPENSES | ||||||
General and administrative (Note 8) | 1,203 | 1,050 | ||||
Project and royalty generation costs, net (Note 9) | 1,600 | 1,086 | ||||
Depletion, depreciation, and direct royalty taxes | 398 | 333 | ||||
Share-based payments (Note 13) | 78 | - | ||||
3,279 | 2,469 | |||||
Loss from operations | (2,528 | ) | (1,054 | ) | ||
Change in fair value of fair value through profit or loss assets | (818 | ) | (14 | ) | ||
Gain on sale of marketable securities | 47 | - | ||||
Foreign exchange gain (loss) | 5,419 | (1,800 | ) | |||
Income (loss) before income taxes | 2,120 | (2,868 | ) | |||
Deferred income tax recovery | - | 81 | ||||
Income (loss) for the period | $ | 2,120 | $ | (2,787 | ) | |
Basic earnings (loss) per share | $ | 0.03 | $ | (0.03 | ) | |
Diluted earnings (loss) per share | $ | 0.02 | $ | (0.03 | ) | |
Weighted average no. of shares outstanding - basic (Note 14) | 82,789,474 | 80,762,511 | ||||
Weighted average no. of shares outstanding - diluted (Note 14) | 94,060,613 | 80,762,511 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
EMX ROYALTY CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(Unaudited - Expressed in Thousands of Canadian Dollars)
Three month period | Three month period | |||||
ended March 31, | ended March 31, | |||||
2020 | 2019 | |||||
Income (loss) for the period | $ | 2,120 | $ | (2,787 | ) | |
Other comprehensive income (loss) | ||||||
Change in fair value of strategic investments | - | 16 | ||||
Currency translation adjustment | 965 | (252 | ) | |||
Comprehensive income (loss) for the period | $ | 3,085 | $ | (3,023 | ) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
EMX ROYALTY CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited - Expressed in Thousands of Canadian Dollars)
Three months ended | Three months ended | |||||
March 31, 2020 | March 31, 2019 | |||||
Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||
Income (loss) for the period | $ | 2,120 | $ | (2,787 | ) | |
Items not affecting operating activities: | ||||||
Interest income received | (255 | ) | (424 | ) | ||
Unrealized foreign exchange effect on cash and cash equivalents | (5,867 | ) | 1,548 | |||
Items not affecting cash: | ||||||
Change in fair value of fair value throught profit or loss assets | 818 | 14 | ||||
Share - based payments | 78 | - | ||||
Deferred income tax recovery | - | (81 | ) | |||
Depreciation | 10 | 3 | ||||
Depletion | 378 | 317 | ||||
Interest income, finance charges, net of settlement gains (losses) | (27 | ) | (42 | ) | ||
Realized (gain) loss on sale of investments | (47 | ) | - | |||
(Gain) loss on sale of exploration and evaluation assets | 88 | (289 | ) | |||
Option payments - shares received | (175 | ) | (150 | ) | ||
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss | 8 | (5 | ) | |||
(2,871 | ) | (1,897 | ) | |||
Changes in non-cash working capital items (Note 18) | (689 | ) | (4,925 | ) | ||
Total cash used in operating activities | (3,560 | ) | (6,822 | ) | ||
Cash flows from investing activities | ||||||
Option payments received | - | 133 | ||||
Interest received on cash and cash equivalents | 255 | 412 | ||||
Proceeds from sale of exploration licenses | 145 | - | ||||
Purchase fair value through profit and loss investments, net | 690 | (1,189 | ) | |||
Purchase fair value through other comprehensive income | (5,023 | ) | - | |||
Acquisition of royalty interests | (1,810 | ) | - | |||
Purchase and sale of property and equipment, net | - | (25 | ) | |||
Reclamation bonds | (54 | ) | 10 | |||
Total cash provided by (used in) investing activities | (5,797 | ) | (659 | ) | ||
Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||
Proceeds from loan repayments | 536 | - | ||||
Proceeds from exercise of options | 327 | 604 | ||||
Total cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 863 | 604 | ||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | 5,867 | (1,548 | ) | |||
Change in cash and cash equivalents | (2,627 | ) | (8,425 | ) | ||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning | 68,994 | 86,175 | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents, ending | $ | 66,367 | $ | 77,750 |
Supplemental disclosure with respect to cash flows (Note 18)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
EMX ROYALTY CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Unaudited - Expressed in Thousands of Canadian Dollars, Except Per Share Amounts)
Reserves | ||||||||||||||||||
Number of common | Share-based | Accumulated other | ||||||||||||||||
shares | Capital stock | payments | comprehensive gain | Deficit | Total | |||||||||||||
Balance as at December 31, 2019 | 82,554,760 | $ | 128,776 | $ | 15,943 | $ | 9,120 | $ | (55,344 | ) | $ | 98,495 | ||||||
Shares issued for exercise of stock options | 290,800 | 327 | - | - | - | 327 | ||||||||||||
Shares issued for royalty acquisition | 52,000 | 136 | - | - | - | 136 | ||||||||||||
Share-based payments | - | - | 78 | - | - | 78 | ||||||||||||
Reclass of reserves for exercise of options | - | 188 | (188 | ) | - | - | - | |||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment | - | - | - | 965 | - | 965 | ||||||||||||
Income for the period | - | - | - | - | 2,120 | 2,120 | ||||||||||||
Balance as at March 31, 2020 | 82,897,560 | $ | 129,427 | $ | 15,833 | $ | 10,085 | $ | (53,224 | ) | $ | 102,121 |
Reserves | ||||||||||||||||||
Accumulated other | ||||||||||||||||||
Number of common | Share-based | comprehensive gain | ||||||||||||||||
shares | Capital stock | payments | (loss) | Deficit | Total | |||||||||||||
Balance as at December 31, 2018 | 80,525,055 | $ | 125,231 | $ | 15,145 | $ | 9,653 | $ | (41,524 | ) | $ | 108,505 | ||||||
Shares issued for exercise of stock options | 515,600 | 604 | - | - | - | 604 | ||||||||||||
Reclass of reserves for exercise of options | - | 289 | (289 | ) | - | - | - | |||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment | - | - | - | (252 | ) | - | (252 | ) | ||||||||||
Change in fair value of financial instruments | - | - | - | 16 | - | 16 | ||||||||||||
Loss for the period | - | - | - | - | (2,787 | ) | (2,787 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance as at March 31, 2019 | 81,040,655 | $ | 126,124 | $ | 14,856 | $ | 9,417 | $ | (44,311 | ) | $ | 106,086 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
EMX ROYALTY CORPORATION |
1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND GOING CONCERN
EMX Royalty Corporation (the "Company" or "EMX"), together with its subsidiaries operates as a royalty and prospect generator engaged in the exploring for, and generating royalties from, metals and minerals properties. The Company's royalty and exploration portfolio mainly consists of properties in North America, Turkey, Europe, Haiti, Australia, and New Zealand. The Company's common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V") and the NYSE American under the symbol of "EMX". The Company's head office is located at 501 - 543 Granville Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 1X8.
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared using International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") applicable to a going concern, which assumes that the Company will be able to realize its assets, discharge its liabilities and continue in operation for the following twelve months.
Some of the Company's activities for royalty generation are located in emerging nations and, consequently, may be subject to a higher level of risk compared to other developed countries. Operations, the status of mineral property rights and the recoverability of investments in emerging nations can be affected by changing economic, legal, regulatory and political situations.
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared coronavirus COVID-19 a global pandemic. This contagious disease outbreak, which has continued to spread, and any related adverse public health developments, has adversely affected workforces, economies, and financial markets globally, potentially leading to an economic downturn. It is not possible for the Company to predict the duration or magnitude of the adverse results of the outbreak and its effects on the Company's business or ability to raise funds.
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements of the Company are presented in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted, which is the functional currency of the parent company and its subsidiaries except as to Bullion Monarch Mining, Inc. ("BULM"), the holder of a royalty income stream whose functional currency is the United States ("US") dollar.
2. STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Statement of Compliance and Measurement
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, Interim Financial Reporting ("IAS 34") using accounting policies consistent with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") and interpretations of the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee ("IFRIC").
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for financial instruments classified as fair value through profit or loss and fair value through other comprehensive income, which are stated at their fair value. In addition, these consolidated financial statements have been prepared using the accrual basis of accounting except for cash flow information.
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements follow the same accounting policies and methods of application as our most recent annual financial statements, except as described below, and should be read in conjunction with the annual audited financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Critical Accounting Judgments and Significant Estimates and Uncertainties
The critical judgments and estimates applied in the preparation of the Company's unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2020 are consistent with those applied in the Company's December 31, 2019 audited consolidated financial statements.
EMX ROYALTY CORPORATION |
3. RESTRICTED CASH
At March 31, 2020, the Company classified $5,272 (December 31, 2019 - $1,947) as restricted cash. This amount is comprised of $204 (December 31, 2019 - $187) held as collateral for its corporate credit cards, and $5,068 (December 31, 2019 - $1,760) cash held by wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company whose full amount is for use and credit to the Company's exploration venture partners in the USA, Sweden, Norway, and Finland pursuant to expenditure requirements for ongoing option agreements. Partner advances expected to be used within the following 12 months are included with current assets.
4. INVESTMENTS
At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had the following investments:
Accumulated | |||||||||
unrealized (loss) | |||||||||
March 31, 2020 | Cost | gain | Fair value | ||||||
Fair value through profit or loss | |||||||||
Marketable securities | $ | 3,358 | $ | (1,310 | ) | $ | 2,048 | ||
Warrants | 314 | 240 | 554 | ||||||
Private company investments | 2,050 | (444 | ) | 1,606 | |||||
Total fair value through profit or loss | 5,722 | (1,514 | ) | 4,208 | |||||
Fair value through other comprehensive income | |||||||||
Marketable securities | 910 | (877 | ) | 33 | |||||
Private company investments | 9,603 | - | 9,603 | ||||||
Total fair value through other comprehensive income | 10,513 | (877 | ) | 9,636 | |||||
Total investments | $ | 16,235 | $ | (2,391 | ) | $ | 13,844 |
Accumulated | |||||||||
unrealized (loss) | |||||||||
December 31, 2019 | Cost | gain | Fair value | ||||||
Fair value through profit or loss | |||||||||
Marketable securities | $ | 3,915 | $ | (767 | ) | $ | 3,148 | ||
Warrants | 314 | 515 | 829 | ||||||
Private company investments | 1,961 | (444 | ) | 1,517 | |||||
Total fair value through profit or loss | 6,190 | (696 | ) | 5,494 | |||||
Fair value through other comprehensive income | |||||||||
Marketable securities | 910 | (877 | ) | 33 | |||||
Private company investments | 4,580 | - | 4,580 | ||||||
Total fair value through other comprehensive income | 5,490 | (877 | ) | 4,613 | |||||
Total investments | $ | 11,680 | $ | (1,573 | ) | $ | 10,107 |
During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company closed a $5,024 (US$3,790) strategic investment in Ensero Holdings, Inc., a privately-held Delaware corporation. Ensero Holdings, Inc. operates through its wholly-owned subsidiary Ensero Solutions, Inc. ("Ensero") formerly known as Alexco Environmental Group ("AEG"), which was previously the wholly-owned environmental services subsidiary of Alexco Resource Corp. ("Alexco"). The Company will receive US$3,620 in Ensero Preferred Shares (the "Preferred Shares"), representing 65% of Ensero's preferred shares, with a 6% annual dividend, paid in quarterly increments over a six-year term. Starting in year six, the Preferred Shares will be redeemed in eight equal, quarterly payments totaling twice the principal amount (US$7,240). The Company will receive US$171 in Common shares representing a 7.5% equity holding of Ensero. Anti-dilution provisions will apply for the first two years of the agreement.
EMX ROYALTY CORPORATION |
5. RECEIVABLES
The Company's receivables are related to royalty receivable, goods and services tax and harmonized sales taxes receivable from government taxation authorities, and recovery of royalty generation costs from project partners.
As at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the current receivables were as follows:
Category | March 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||
Royalty income receivable | $ | 87 | $ | 15 | ||
Refundable taxes | 131 | 174 | ||||
Recoverable exploration expenditures and advances | 1,103 | 460 | ||||
Other | 349 | 332 | ||||
Total | $ | 1,670 | $ | 981 |
The carrying amounts of the Company's current receivables are denominated in the following currencies:
Currency | March 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||
Canadian Dollars | $ | 171 | $ | 158 | ||
US Dollars | 594 | 453 | ||||
Swedish Krona | 905 | 370 | ||||
Total | $ | 1,670 | $ | 981 |
6. LOANS RECEIVABLE
On October 16, 2017, the Company issued a note receivable to Revelo Resources Corp. (TSX-V: RVL), a related party by way of a common director for the principal amount of $400. The note was due on December 31, 2017, together with accrued interest at a rate of 1% per month and a bonus of $20. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, RVL repaid the loan, accumulated interest, and bonus amount for total proceeds of $536.
On November 25, 2019 the Company entered into a loan agreement with Boreal Metals Corp. ("BMC") whereby the Company loaned $800 to BMC for one year. BMC will pay an annual effective interest rate of 8.08% with a loan fee equal to 5% of the loan amount ($40) and is payable on maturity. The Company has the option to elect to receive the loan fee in shares of BMC at not less than the market price of BMC common shares in accordance with TSX-V Policy. BMC is granting security to EMX in connection with the loan consisting of: i) a pledge of the issued and outstanding shares of Iekelvare Minerals AB ("Iekelvare"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMC; ii) a guarantee of the loan by Iekelvare; and iii) the obligation to transfer the Gumsberg License (or the issued and outstanding shares of Iekelvare) to the Company if the loan is in default. As at March 31, 2020, the balance of the loan including interest was $863.
March 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||
Revelo Resources Corp. | $ | - | $ | 526 | ||
Boreal Metals Corp. | 863 | 846 | ||||
Total | $ | 863 | $ | 1,372 |
EMX ROYALTY CORPORATION |
7. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
During the period ended March 31, 2020 depreciation of $6 (2019 - $3) has been included in project and royalty generation costs.
Computer | Field | Office | Building | Land | Total | |||||||||||||
Cost | ||||||||||||||||||
As at December 31, 2019 | $ | 110 | $ | 162 | $ | 2 | $ | 723 | $ | 419 | $ | 1,416 | ||||||
Additions | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
Disposals and derecognition | - | (5 | ) | - | - | - | (5 | ) | ||||||||||
As at March 31, 2020 | 110 | 157 | 2 | 723 | 419 | 1,411 | ||||||||||||
Accumulated depreciation | ||||||||||||||||||
As at December 31, 2019 | $ | 110 | $ | 80 | $ | 2 | $ | 580 | $ | - | $ | 772 | ||||||
Additions | - | 5 | - | 5 | - | 10 | ||||||||||||
Disposals and derecognition | - | (5 | ) | - | - | - | (5 | ) | ||||||||||
As at March 31, 2020 | $ | 110 | $ | 80 | $ | 2 | $ | 585 | $ | - | $ | 777 | ||||||
Net book value | ||||||||||||||||||
As at December 31, 2019 | $ | - | $ | 82 | $ | - | $ | 143 | $ | 419 | $ | 644 | ||||||
As at March 31, 2020 | $ | - | $ | 77 | $ | - | $ | 138 | $ | 419 | $ | 634 |
8. REVENUE AND GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had the following sources of revenues, and general and administrative expenses:
Revenue and other income for the three months ended | March 31, 2020 | March 31, 2019 | ||||
Royalty revenue | $ | 343 | $ | 356 | ||
Interest income | 255 | 467 | ||||
Option and other property income | 153 | 592 | ||||
$ | 751 | $ | 1,415 |
General and administrative expenses for the three months ended | March 31, 2020 | March 31, 2019 | ||||
Salaries, consultants, and benefits | $ | 473 | $ | 373 | ||
Professional fees | 232 | 71 | ||||
Investor relations and shareholder information | 160 | 228 | ||||
Transfer agent and filing fees | 56 | 106 | ||||
Administrative and office | 267 | 228 | ||||
Travel | 15 | 45 | ||||
$ | 1,203 | $ | 1,050 |
EMX ROYALTY CORPORATION |
9. EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS
Acquisition Costs
At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company has capitalized the following acquisition costs on its exploration and evaluation assets:
Region | Properties | March 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||
Sweden | Various | $ | 17 | $ | 17 | ||
Viad royalties | 421 | 421 | |||||
Turkey | Alankoy | - | 154 | ||||
Trab | - | 79 | |||||
United States | Superior West, Arizona | 603 | 603 | ||||
of America | Yerington, Nevada | 206 | 206 | ||||
Mainspring, Arizona | 66 | 66 | |||||
Total | $ | 1,313 | $ | 1,546 |
During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company had the following changes related to exploration and evaluation assets.
Sweden and Norway
Espedalen, Hosanger, and Sigdal Projects
In February 2020, the Company entered into an option agreement for the Espedalen, Hosanger, and Sigdal nickel-copper-cobalt projects in Norway with Pursuit Minerals Limited (ASX: PUR) ("Pursuit"). Pursuant to the agreement, Pursuit has the option to acquire up to 100% interest in the projects by making a cash payment of US$25 (received) and issuing to the Company 20,000,000 shares (received) of PUR upon execution of the agreement, and spending a minimum of US$250 on the projects within 12 months from the effective date. Upon exercise of the option, Pursuit will issue up to 20,000,000 additional shares, capped at 9.9% of the issued and outstanding shares of PUR with EMX retaining a 3% NSR royalty, 1% of which may be purchased by Pursuit under certain conditions. AAR payments will commence on the second anniversary of the agreement, beginning at US$25 per project and increasing at US$5 per year. Upon the second anniversary of the Agreement, Pursuit will issue to EMX another tranche of shares equal in cash value to the 20,000,000 PUR shares issued to exercise the option. If the option is exercised, Pursuit will commit to another US$500 in exploration expenditures by the second anniversary, and drill at least 1,000 meters per project per year until the completion of a pre-feasibility study. Milestone payments of US$500 will be made to EMX upon each of the following milestones: a) completion of a preliminary economic assessment, and then b) delivery of a "positive feasibility study". The initial 20,000,000 shares received were valued at $175, or $0.01 per share and included in revenue and other income for the three months ended March 31, 2020.
Tomtebo and Trollberget Projects
During the three months ended March 31, 2020 the Company executed an agreement to sell the Tomtebo and Trollberget projects in the Bergslagen mining region of Sweden to District Metals Corp. (TSX-V: DMX) ("District"). The agreement provides EMX with a 9.9% equity interest in District, annual advance royalty payments, 2.5% NSR royalty interests in the projects, and other considerations to EMX's benefit. Further, District will issue additional shares to EMX to maintain its 9.9% interest at no additional cost to EMX until DMX has raised $3,000,000 in equity.
EMX ROYALTY CORPORATION |
9. EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS (Continued)
North America
Antelope Project
In March 2020, the Company entered into an option agreement for the Antelope project in Nevada to Hochschild Mining (US) Inc. ("Hochschild"). Pursuant to the agreement, Hochschild has the option to acquire up to a 100% interest in the project by making a cash payment of US$100 (received subsequent to March 31, 2020), of which US$80 was for the reimbursement of 2019 holding costs and a US$20 execution payment, making staged option payments, reimburseing holding costs, and spending US$1,500 in exploration expenditures over a 5 year option period from the effective date. Upon exercise of the option, EMX will retain a 4% NSR royalty, 2% of which may be purchased by Hochschild under certain conditions. AAR payments of US$50 will commence on the first anniversary of the exercise of the option, increasing to US$100 upon the completion of a preliminary economic assessment. Certain milestone payments totalling US$2,500 will also be due to the Company upon completion of certain requirements.
Turkey
Alanköy and Trab-23 Projects
In February 2020, the Company executed purchase and sale agreements for the sale of EMX subsidiaries that own the Alanköy and Trab-23 exploration projects in Turkey to Kar Mineral Madencilik İnşaat Turizm Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. ("Kar"), a privately owned Turkish Company. Upon closing, EMX received the cash equivalent of 40 ounces of gold for the Alanköy project (US$63 received) and the cash equivalent of 30 ounces of gold for the Trab-23 project (US$47 received). EMX will receive an uncapped 2.5% NSR royalty on each project. For the Alanköy project, EMX will receive annual AAR payments of 35 ounces of gold for the first three years of the agreement, 45 ounces of gold in years 4 through 6 of the agreement, and 70 ounces of gold from and after the 7th anniversary. For the Trab-23 project, EMX will receive AAR payments of 35 ounces of gold through the 4th anniversary of the agreement, and 45 ounces of gold from and after the 5th anniversary. For each project, EMX will receive a milestone payment of 500 ounces of gold upon receipt of key mine development permits. The gold bullion payments may be made in troy ounces of gold bullion or their cash equivalents. Additionally, each agreement also contains certain work commitments that include drilling milestones and other project advancement requirements.
Balya Project
During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company completed the transfer of the Balya royalty property in Turkey from Dedeman Madencilik San. ve Tic. A. Ş. to Esan Eczacibaşi Endüstriyel Hammaddeler San. ve Tic. A.Ş. ("Esan") a private Turkish company. The Company retains a 4% NSR royalty on the property that is uncapped and cannot be repurchased.
EMX ROYALTY CORPORATION |
9. EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS (Continued)
Project and Royalty Generation Costs
During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company incurred the following project and royalty generation costs, which were expensed as incurred:
Scandinavia | USA | Turkey | Australia and New Zealand |
Other | Total | |||||||||||||
Administration costs | $ | 22 | $ | 75 | $ | 2 | $ | 3 | $ | 14 | $ | 116 | ||||||
Drilling, technical, and support costs | 1 | 228 | 45 | 12 | - | 286 | ||||||||||||
Personnel | 328 | 631 | 24 | 10 | 3 | 996 | ||||||||||||
Professional costs | 85 | 58 | 38 | 20 | 12 | 213 | ||||||||||||
Property costs | 418 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 421 | ||||||||||||
Travel | 36 | 45 | 3 | 1 | - | 85 | ||||||||||||
Total Expenditures | 890 | 1,038 | 112 | 46 | 31 | 2,117 | ||||||||||||
Recoveries from partners | (107 | ) | (409 | ) | - | - | (1 | ) | (517 | ) | ||||||||
Net Expenditures | $ | 783 | $ | 629 | $ | 112 | $ | 46 | $ | 30 | $ | 1,600 |
During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company incurred the following project and royalty generation costs, which were expensed as incurred:
Scandinavia | USA | Turkey | Australia and New Zealand |
Other | Total | |||||||||||||
Administration costs | $ | 10 | $ | 59 | $ | 26 | $ | 8 | $ | - | $ | 103 | ||||||
Field and technical costs | 18 | 423 | 17 | 60 | - | 518 | ||||||||||||
Personnel | 146 | 232 | 33 | 82 | - | 493 | ||||||||||||
Professional costs | 61 | 68 | 19 | 14 | - | 162 | ||||||||||||
Property costs | 237 | 215 | 41 | 20 | - | 513 | ||||||||||||
Travel | 23 | 52 | 4 | 6 | - | 85 | ||||||||||||
Total Expenditures | 495 | 1,049 | 140 | 190 | - | 1,874 | ||||||||||||
Recoveries from partners | (138 | ) | (650 | ) | - | - | - | (788 | ) | |||||||||
Net Expenditures | $ | 357 | $ | 399 | $ | 140 | $ | 190 | $ | - | $ | 1,086 |
10. ROYALTY INTERESTS
Changes in royalty interest for the three months ended March 31, 2020:
Balance as at December 31, 2019 | $ | 13,488 | |
Additions | 1,946 | ||
Depletion | (378 | ) | |
Cumulative translation adjustments | 1,093 | ||
Balance as at March 31, 2020 | $ | 16,149 |
EMX ROYALTY CORPORATION |
10. ROYALTY INTERESTS (Continued)
During the three months ended March 31, 2020 the Company entered into acquisition agreements for certain royalty interests Chile and the Kaukua deposit in northern Finland.
Revelo Portfolio Interests
In March 2020, the Company closed the acquisition of certain NSR royalty interests covering 18 properties from Revelo for $1,685 (US$1,162). The royalties cover substantial land positions containing porphyry copper, epithermal precious metals, and IOCG (iron-oxide copper-gold) targets located within key Chilean metallogenic belts.
Kaukua Royalty Interests
In March 2020, the Company completed the acquisition of a 2% NSR royalty on various exploration licenses (the "Kaukua Royalty") in Finland from Akkerman Exploration B.V., a private Netherlands Company ("Akkerman"). The Kaukua Royalty was acquired from Akkerman by the Company for $125 (paid) and the issuance of 52,000 EMX shares valued at $136, being the market price of shares the time of issuance. The Company NSR royalty applies to all future mineral production from the Kaukua Royalty licenses. Palladium One can purchase 1% of the NSR royalty prior to the delivery of a "bankable feasibility study" for €1 million. The remaining 1% of the NSR royalty is uncapped, and cannot be repurchased.
Corvus Royalty Interests
During the year ended December 31, 2019, pursuant to an acquisition agreement with Corvus Gold Inc. ("Corvus") (TSX: KOR, OTCQX: CORVF), EMX acquired a portfolio of NSR royalty interests ranging from 1 -3% in Alaska's Goodpaster Mining District.
Millrock Royalty Interests
During the year ended December 31, 2019, pursuant to a private placement financing and acquisition agreement, the Company acquired certain royalty interests from Millrock Resources Inc ("Millrock") (TSX Venture: MRO, OTCQX: MLRKF) in Alaska's Goodpaster Mining District.
Carlin Trend Royalties
The Company holds royalty interests in the Carlin Trend in Nevada which includes the following properties:
Leeville Mine: Located in Eureka County, Nevada, the Company is receiving a continuing 1% gross smelter return royalty ("GSRR").
East Ore Body Mine: Located in Eureka County, Nevada, the property is currently being mined and the Company is receiving a continuing 1% GSRR.
North Pipeline: Located in Lander County, Nevada. Should the property become producing, the Company will receive a production royalty of US$0.50 per yard of ore processed or 4% of net profit, whichever is greater.
During the three months ended March 31, 2020, $343 (2019 - $356) in royalty income was included in revenue and other income. Applied only against the Carlin Trend Royalty Claim Block royalty income was depletion of $378 (2019 - $317) and a 5% direct gold tax of $15 (2018 - $16).
EMX ROYALTY CORPORATION |
10. ROYALTY INTERESTS (Continued)
Impairment of Non-Current Assets
The Company's policy for accounting for impairment of non-current assets is to use the higher of the estimates of fair value less cost of disposal of these assets or value in use. The Company uses valuation techniques that require significant judgments and assumptions, including those with respect to future production levels, future metal prices and discount rates.
Non-current assets are tested for impairment when events or changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The Company continuously reviews the production of gold from the Carlin Trend Royalty Claim Block, expected long term gold prices to be realized, foreign exchange, and interest rates. For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, these assumptions remained reasonable and no revisions were considered necessary.
11. RECLAMATION BONDS
Reclamation bonds are held as security towards future project and royalty generation work and the related future potential cost of reclamation of the Company's land and unproven mineral interests. Once reclamation of the properties is complete, the bonds will be returned to the Company.
March 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||
U.S.A - various properties | $ | 742 | $ | 680 | ||
Sweden - various properties | 43 | 42 | ||||
Turkey - various properties | 1 | 10 | ||||
Total | $ | 786 | $ | 732 |
As at March 31, 2020, the Company has no material reclamation obligations.
12. ADVANCES FROM JOINT VENTURE PARTNERS
Advances from joint venture partners relate to unspent funds received pursuant to approved exploration programs by the Company and its joint venture partners. The Company's advances from joint venture partners consist of the following:
March 31, 2020
December 31, 2019 | December 31, 2019 | |||||
U.S.A. | $ | 5,785 | $ | 2,305 | ||
Sweden | 30 | 99 | ||||
Total | $ | 5,815 | $ | 2,404 |
13. CAPITAL STOCK
Authorized
As at March 31, 2020, the authorized share capital of the Company was an unlimited number of common and preferred shares without par value.
Common Shares
During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company:
EMX ROYALTY CORPORATION |
13. CAPITAL STOCK (Continued)
Stock Options
The Company adopted a stock option plan (the "Plan") pursuant to the policies of the TSX-V. The maximum number of shares that may be reserved for issuance under the plan is limited to 10% of the issued common shares of the Company at any time. The vesting terms are determined at the time of the grant, subject to the terms of the plan.
During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the change in stock options outstanding is as follows:
Weighted Average | ||||||
Number | Exercise Price | |||||
Balance as at December 31, 2019 | 6,714,700 | $ | 1.30 | |||
Granted | 60,000 | 2.22 | ||||
Exercised | (290,800 | ) | 1.13 | |||
Forfeited | (10,000 | ) | 1.70 | |||
Balance as at March 31, 2020 | 6,473,900 | 1.31 | ||||
Number of options exercisable as at March 31, 2020 | 6,465,150 | $ | 1.31 |
The following table summarizes information about the stock options which were outstanding and exercisable at March 31, 2020:
Date Granted |
Number of Options |
Exercisable |
Exercise Price $ |
Expiry Date |
June 8, 2015 |
821,900 |
821,900 |
0.66 |
June 8, 2020 |
October 18, 2016 |
1,060,000 |
1,060,000 |
1.30 |
October 18, 2021 |
August 28, 2017 |
1,315,000 |
1,315,000 |
1.20 |
August 28, 2022 |
July 10, 2018 |
1,502,000 |
1,502,000 |
1.30 |
July 10, 2023 |
November 28, 2018 |
15,000 |
15,000 |
1.57 |
November 28, 2023 |
December 14, 2018 |
20,000 |
20,000 |
1.42 |
December 14, 2023 |
June 6, 2019* |
1,520,000 |
1,511,250 |
1.70 |
June 6, 2024 |
September 30, 2019 |
100,000 |
100,000 |
1.77 |
September 30, 2024 |
November 18, 2019 |
60,000 |
60,000 |
1.80 |
November 18, 2024 |
January 21, 2020 |
60,000 |
60,000 |
2.22 |
January 21, 2025 |
Total |
6,473,900 |
6,465,150 |
|
|
The weighted average remaining useful life of exercisable stock options is 2.69 years (2019 - 2.69 years).
Restricted share units
In 2017, the Company introduced a long-term restricted share unit plan ("RSUs"). The RSUs entitle employees, directors, or officers to common shares of the Company upon vesting based on vesting terms determined by the Company's Board of Directors at the time of grant. A total of 3,200,000 RSU's are reserved for issuance under the plan and the number of shares issuable pursuant to all RSUs granted under this plan, together with any other compensation arrangement of the Company that provides for the issuance of shares, shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the issued and outstanding shares at the grant date
EMX ROYALTY CORPORATION |
13. CAPITAL STOCK (Continued)
During the three months ended March 31, 2020, there were no changes in RSU's outstanding from December 31, 2019.
The following table summarizes information about the RSU's which were outstanding as at March 31, 2020:
Evaluation Date |
December 31, 2019 |
Granted |
Vested |
Expired/Cancelled |
March 31, 2020 |
December 31, 2019 * |
312,500 |
- |
- |
- |
312,500 |
December 31, 2020 |
312,500 |
- |
- |
- |
312,500 |
December 31, 2021 |
312,500 |
- |
- |
- |
312,500 |
November 18, 2022 |
21,000 |
- |
- |
- |
21,000 |
Total |
958,500 |
- |
- |
- |
958,500 |
* The number of RSU's that will be redeemed is based on the achievement of performance criteria as evaluated by the Compensation Committee. Subsequent to March 31, 2020, it was acertained that 156,250 RSU's with an evaluation date of December 31, 2019 had vested based on pre set performance criteria previously established on the grant date. The balance of 156,250 expired unvested.
Share-based Payments
During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company recorded aggregate share-based payments of $78 (2018 - $Nil) as they relate to the fair value of stock options granted and vested during the period. Share-based payments for the three months ended March 31, 2020 were allocated to general and administrative expenses.
The weighted average fair value of the stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2020 was $1.23 per stock option (2019 - $Nil). The fair value of stock options granted was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with weighted average assumptions as follows: Risk free interest rate - 1.53%; expected life - 5 years; and expected volatility - 65.90%.
Warrants
There were no warrants outstanding as March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
14. NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE
Net income (loss) per share, calculated on a basic and diluted basis, is as follows:
Three months ended | March 31, 2020 | March 31, 2019 | ||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 2,120 | $ | (2,787 | ) | |
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic | 82,789,474 | 80,762,511 | ||||
Dilutive effect of stock options and warrants outstanding | 11,271,139 | - | ||||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted | 94,060,613 | 80,762,511 | ||||
Basic earnings (loss) per share | $ | 0.03 | $ | (0.03 | ) | |
Diluted earnings (loss) per share | $ | 0.02 | $ | (0.03 | ) |
EMX ROYALTY CORPORATION |
15. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The aggregate value of transactions and outstanding balances relating to key management personnel were as follows:
Share-based | |||||||||
For the three months ended March 31, 2020 | Salary or Fees | Payments | Total | ||||||
Management | $ | 134 | $ | - | $ | 134 | |||
Outside directors * | 38 | - | 38 | ||||||
Seabord Services Corp.** | 89 | - | 89 | ||||||
Total | $ | 261 | $ | - | $ | 261 |
Salary or Fees & | Share-based | ||||||||
For the three months ended March 31, 2019 | Bonus | Payments | Total | ||||||
Management | $ | 175 | $ | - | $ | 175 | |||
Outside directors * | 38 | - | 38 | ||||||
Seabord Services Corp. | 111 | - | 111 | ||||||
Total | $ | 324 | $ | - | $ | 324 |
* Directors fees include US$5,000 per month paid to the Company's non-Executive Chairman, who does not receive the fees paid to the other independent directors.
** Seabord Services Corp. (“Seabord”) is a management services company controlled by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company. Seabord provides a Chief Financial Officer, accounting and administration staff, and office space to the Company. The Chief Financial Officer is an employee of Seabord and are not paid directly by the Company.
Included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities at March 31, 2020 is $8 (December 31, 2019 - $36) owed to key management personnel and other related parties.
By way of a common director, included in Loans receivable (Note 7) for the year ended December 31, 2019 are certain balances owing from a related party.
16. SEGMENTED INFORMATION
The Company operates within the resource industry. At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had equipment, exploration and evaluation assets, and royalty interests located geographically as follows:
EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS | March 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||
Sweden | $ | 438 | $ | 438 | ||
Turkey | - | 233 | ||||
U.S.A | 875 | 875 | ||||
Total | $ | 1,313 | $ | 1,546 |
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT | March 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||
Sweden | $ | 50 | $ | 54 | ||
U.S.A | 584 | 590 | ||||
Total | $ | 634 | $ | 644 |
ROYALTY INTERESTS | March 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||
U.S.A | $ | 14,004 | $ | 13,288 | ||
Chile | 1,685 | - | ||||
Sweden | 260 | - | ||||
Serbia | 200 | 200 | ||||
Total | $ | 16,149 | $ | 13,488 |
The Company's deferred income tax assets, royalty income, and depletion are located in the U.S.A. for the three month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019.
EMX ROYALTY CORPORATION |
17. RISK AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT: FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company considers items included in shareholders' equity as capital. The Company's objective when managing capital is to safeguard the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, so that it can continue to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders.
As at March 31, 2020, the Company had working capital of $71,428 (December 31, 2019 - $75,178). The Company has continuing royalty income that will vary depending on royalty ounces received, the price of gold, and foreign exchange rates on US royalty payments. The Company manages the capital structure and makes adjustments in light of changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of the underlying assets. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Company may issue new shares through public and/or private placements, sell assets, or return capital to shareholders.
Fair Value
The Company characterizes inputs used in determining fair value using a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs depending on the degree to which they are observable. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
As at March 31, 2020, there were no changes in the levels in comparison to December 31, 2019. Financial instruments measured at fair value on the statement of financial position are summarized in levels of the fair value hierarchy as follows:
Assets | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||
Investments | $ | 2,048 | $ | 1,347 | $ | 259 | $ | 3,654 | ||||
Warrants | - | 554 | - | 554 | ||||||||
Strategic Investments | 33 | 9,603 | - | 9,636 | ||||||||
Total | $ | 2,081 | $ | 11,504 | $ | 259 | $ | 13,844 |
The carrying value of receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, advances from joint venture partners, and loans receivable approximate their fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments.
The Company holds warrants exercisable into common shares of public companies. The warrants do not trade on an exchange and are restricted in their transfer. The fair value of the warrants was determined using the Black-Scholes pricing model using observable market information and thereby classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Included in Strategic Investments is $9,603 related to the Company's 19.9% interest in Rawhide Acquistion Holding, LLC ("Rawhide") and the Company's 7.5% equity interest in Ensero (Note 4). The Company's investment in Rawhide and Ensero does not have a quoted market price in an active market and the Company has assessed a fair value of the investment based on concurrent third party investments at the time of acquisition.
The Company's holds an investment in IG Copper LLC ("IGC"), a private entity which does not have a quoted market price in an active market and the Company has assessed a fair value of the investment based on IGC's unobservable net assets. As a result, the fair value is classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
The process of estimating the fair value of IGC is based on inherent measurement uncertainties and is based on techniques and assumptions that emphasize both qualitative and quantitative information. There is no reasonable quantitative basis to estimate the potential effect of changing the assumptions to reasonably possible alternative assumptions on the estimated fair value of the investment.
EMX ROYALTY CORPORATION |
17. RISK AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT: FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Continued)
The Company's financial instruments are exposed to certain financial risks, including credit risk, interest rate risk, market risk, liquidity risk and currency risk.
Credit Risk
The Company is exposed to credit risk by holding cash and cash equivalents and receivables. This risk is minimized by holding a significant portion of the funds in Canadian banks. The Company's exposure with respect to its receivables is primarily related to royalty streams, recovery of project and royalty generation costs, and the sale of assets.
Interest Rate Risk
The Company is exposed to interest rate risk because of fluctuating interest rates. Management believes the interest rate risk is low given interest rates on promissory notes is fixed and the current low global interest rate environment. Fluctuation
in market rates is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's operations due to the short term to maturity and no penalty cashable feature of its cash equivalents.
Market Risk
The Company is exposed to market risk because of the fluctuating values of its publicly traded marketable securities and other company investments. The Company has no control over these fluctuations and does not hedge its investments. Based on the March 31, 2020 portfolio values, a 10% increase or decrease in effective market values would increase or decrease net shareholders' equity by approximately $1,400.
Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company is unable to meet its financial obligations as they come due. The Company manages this risk by careful management of its working capital to ensure the Company's expenditures will not exceed available resources.
Commodity Risk
The Company's royalty revenues are derived from a royalty interest and are based on the extraction and sale of precious and base minerals and metals. Factors beyond the control of the Company may affect the marketability of metals discovered. Metal prices have historically fluctuated widely. Consequently, the economic viability of the Company's royalty interests cannot be accurately predicted and may be adversely affected by fluctuations in mineral prices.
Currency Risk
Foreign exchange risk arises when future commercial transactions and recognized assets and liabilities are denominated in a currency that is not the entity's functional currency. The Company operates in Canada, Turkey, Sweden, Australia, Norway, and the U.S.A. The Company funds cash calls to its subsidiary companies outside of Canada in US dollars and a portion of its expenditures are also incurred in local currencies.
EMX ROYALTY CORPORATION |
17. RISK AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT: FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Continued)
The exposure of the Company's cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, trade receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and advances from joint venture partners to foreign exchange risk as at March 31, 2020 is as follows:
Accounts | US dollars | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 44,807 | |
Restricted cash | 3,700 | ||
Trade receivables | 419 | ||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | (291 | ) | |
Advances from joint venture partners | (4,084 | ) | |
Net exposure | $ | 44,551 | |
Canadian dollar equivalent | $ | 62,893 |
The balances noted above reflect the US dollar balances held within the parent company and any wholly owned subsidiaries. Balances denominated in another currency other than the functional currency held in foreign operations are considered immaterial. Based on the above net exposure as at March 31, 2020, and assuming that all other variables remain constant, a 10% depreciation or appreciation of the Canadian dollar against the US dollar would result in an increase/decrease of approximately $6,289 in the Company's pre-tax profit or loss.million in the Company's pre-tax profit or loss.
18. SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE WITH RESPECT TO CASH FLOWS
March 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||
Cash | $ | 66,367 | $ | 68,994 | ||
Short-term deposits | 204 | 187 | ||||
Total | $ | 66,571 | $ | 69,181 |
The short-term deposits are used as collateral for the Company's credit cards.
Changes in non-cash working capital:
Three months ended | Three months ended | |||||
March 31, 2020 | March 31, 2019 | |||||
Accounts receivable | $ | (689 | ) | $ | 317 | |
Prepaid expenses | (150 | ) | (94 | ) | ||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 64 | (5,113 | ) | |||
Advances from joint venture partners | 86 | (35 | ) | |||
$ | (689 | ) | $ | (4,925 | ) |
The significant non-cash investing and financing transactions during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 included:
a. Recorded the issuane of $136 (2019 - $Nil) through share capital for the issuance of 52,500 common shares for the acquisiton of a royalty interest (Note 10);
b. Recorded a loss through accumulated other comprehensive income of $Nil (2019 - $16) related to the fair value adjustments on FVTPL investments;
c. Reclass of $188 (2019 - $289) from reserves to share capital for options exercised;
d. Adjusted non-current assets and liabilities for $965 (2019 - $252) related to cumulative translation adjustments ("CTA"), of which $1,093 (2019 - Loss of $292) relates to CTA gain on royalty interest, $136 (2019 - $46) relates to a CTA loss on deferred tax assets, and $8 (2019 - Loss of $6) relates to CTA gain in the net assets of a subsidiary with a functional currency different from the presentation currency.
EMX ROYALTY CORPORATION |
19. EVENT SUBSEQUENT TO THE REPORTING DATE
Subsequent to the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company optioned three Idaho gold projects to Gold Lion Resources (NV) Inc., a subsidiary of Gold Lion Resources Inc. (CSE: GL; FWB: 2BC) ("Gold Lion") under three separate option agreements. The agreements provide for share and cash payments to EMX, as well as work commitments during Gold Lion's earn-in period, and upon earn-in, a 3.5% NSR royalty, annual advanced royalty payments, and milestone payments.
EMX ROYALTY CORPORATION
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2020
GENERAL
This Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for EMX Royalty Corporation, (the "Company", "EMX") has been prepared based on information known to management as of May 12, 2020.
This MD&A is intended to help the reader understand the consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2020 prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB"). All dollar amounts included therein and in the following MD&A are in Canadian dollars except where noted.
COMPANY OVERVIEW
EMX Royalty Corporation is in the business of organically generating royalties derived from a portfolio of mineral property interests. The Company augments royalty generation with carefully selected royalty acquisitions and strategic investments. EMX's portfolio mainly consists of properties in North America, Europe, Turkey, Australia, Chile, and Haiti. The Company's common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and the NYSE American Exchange under the symbol EMX.
COMPANY STRATEGY
The three key components of the Company's business strategy are summarized as:
EMX is focused on increasing revenue streams from royalties, pre-production and other cash payments, and strategic investments. This approach provides a foundation for supporting EMX's growth and increasing shareholder value over the long term.
HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2020
Financial Update
Operational Update
In North America, EMX received provisional payments of approximately US$218,000 from the sale of 139 royalty gold ounces produced at the Leeville property in Nevada's Northern Carlin Trend. At the Gold Bar South and Hardshell (i.e. Hermosa-Taylor project) royalty properties, operators McEwen Mining and South32, respectively, continued with nearby mine development activities1 . In the southwestern U.S., base metals exploration programs funded by partner South32 were advanced until suspension due to COVID-19. On the royalty generation front during Q1, and as a subsequent event, EMX optioned four gold projects for cash and share payments to the Company, work commitments during earn-in, and upon earn-in, royalty interests, annual advanced royalty payments, and milestone payments to EMX's benefit.
In Scandinavia, the Company sold or optioned five projects to two different junior exploration companies. The deals involved provisions for share equity, advance royalty payments, and NSR royalty interests in the projects to EMX's benefit. Winter field programs were just getting started when they had to be suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. EMX's subsequent transition to desktop generative work led to the identification of new royalty generation projects that were acquired. On the royalty acquisition front, EMX purchased a 2% NSR royalty covering Palladium One's Kaukua palladium-platinum deposit in Finland 2. EMX is a leading explorer and holder of mineral rights in Scandinavia.
In Serbia, operator Zijin Mining continued construction at the Timok Upper Zone high grade copper-gold project, which is covered by an EMX NSR royalty. Initial production from the Upper Zone is expected to be in late 20213 .
In Turkey the new owner (Esan) of the Balya lead-zinc royalty property commenced work during Q1 that included a drill program to acquire data for defining underground design and mine planning parameters.
EMX completed the acquisition of 18 royalty properties in Chile from Revelo Resources Corp. for US$1,162,0004 . Of that amount, US$369,907 was applied to fully repay EMX for an outstanding loan due from Revelo. These royalties cover more than 135,000 hectares of prospective ground in Chile's key mineral belts.
___________________________________________
1 See McEwen Mining news release dated March 16, 2020 and South32 "Quarterly Report, March 2020").
2 See EMX news release dated February 25, 2020.
3 See www.zijin.com.
4 See EMX news release dated March 26, 2020.
Page 3
The Company's invested US$3.79 million in Ensero Holdings Inc., an environmental services company focused on mine remediation and reclamation, for dividend and other payments totaling US$8.54 million over seven years, and a 7.5% equity interest in Ensero5 . The investment also provides for a strategic alliance to identify environmentally challenged mineral properties with exploration and development upside that may be remedied and then advanced to production or sold.
The Company has proactively responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by protecting the health and well being of our employees, consultants, and partners by following the recommendations from governmental agencies and health care experts in the countries where we operate. Q1 ended with EMX having transitioned to office based data compilations and reviews in support of our royalty generation, royalty acquisition, and strategic investment initiatives.
OUTLOOK
EMX remains in a strong financial position, ending Q1 with working capital of $71,428,000, including $66,367,000 in cash. Company management continues to evaluate our 2020 objectives in context of the impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company's strong treasury, and a seasoned team that has weathered multiple industry cycles, puts us in a position to withstand the challenges the industry is currently undergoing.
Although the mining industry and world economy are experiencing a pullback due to COVID-19, EMX continues to see heightened interest in its royalty generation projects, as underscored by the recent execution of nine new agreements. With the curtailment of field operations and implementation of work-from-home orders, EMX is identifying new royalty acquisition and royalty generation opportunities to bolster the Company's property portfolio.
New acquisitions during Q1 included 18 royalty properties in the highly productive metallogenic belts of northern Chile, and the Kaukua palladium-platinum royalty in Finland. The Company will continue to look for ways to expand the royalty generation business in Chile, as well as in other South American countries. In Scandinavia, EMX has now established a presence in Finland, which complements the Company's substantial portfolios in Sweden and Norway.
EMX expects to further capitalize on strategic investment and royalty acquisition opportunities as financing options for the industry tighten. The Company is poised to provide alternative financing mechanisms to companies with high quality opportunities that have had their options limited by the current market conditions. The Company's emphasis is on securing near term cash flow and/or additional royalty positions in key mining districts and favorable jurisdictions.
The strategic investment in Ensero provides cash flow, as well as provide a unique approach on acquiring prospective mineral assets through the EMX-Ensero strategic alliance. Similarly, EMX's Rawhide investment is anticipated to provide cash flow to EMX in 2020 from ramped up production after completion of routine repairs and maintenance in Q1.
Anticipated new sources of near term royalty cash flow include the Timok Project in Serbia, which is a development priority for China's Zijin Mining Group Ltd. As well, in Turkey, where the new operator (Esan) of the Balya royalty property is aggressively advancing the project to provide additional mill feed to its existing operations in the district.
The Company has a resilient combination of revenue from royalties, pre-production cash and share based payments, and strategic investments. Continuing into 2020, EMX is ready to act on new royalty acquisition and investment opportunities, while further developing a pipeline of royalty generation properties to grow shareholder value.
ROYALTY PORTFOLIO REVIEW
EMX's royalty and mineral property portfolio totals over 100 projects on five continents. The following discussions include overviews of the work conducted in Q1 2020 (as well as subsequent events) by the Company and its partners. For greater detail on EMX's royalty portfolio, including specifics on the royalty terms, please refer to the Company's website (www.emxroyalty.com) and Asset Handbook.
___________________________________________
5 See EMX news release dated February 18, 2020.
North America
EMX's portfolio in North America includes 57 royalty and royalty generation properties in the United States and Canada. There are 27 royalty properties and properties optioned for an EMX royalty interest, six AEP projects that are being advanced under the South32 Regional Strategic Alliance ("RSA"), and 24 royalty generation properties available for partnership in Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming. The Company's work has focused on a) advancing the South32 funded RSA projects and generative copper programs in the southwestern U.S., b) executing agreements with two new partners including for: i) a Nevada gold project, and subsequent to quarter end, ii) three Idaho gold projects in Idaho, and c) identifying royalty assets for purchase.
MMI temporarily suspended operations at the Gold Bar Mine in late March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but stated that "certain production and exploration activities" would continue at Gold Bar "where social distancing can be observed" (see MMI news release dated March 26, 2020).
Six Arizona porphyry-copper projects are currently included as AEPs under the RSA. During Q1, EMX conducted ongoing work programs on the AEPs that focused on field mapping, sampling, and permitting activities in preparation for upcoming drill programs. In addition, work was conducted to identify new copper targets for acquisition, as well as to identify properties for consideration as Designated Projects. Field programs were suspended in March due to the COVID-19 situation, with work now focused on office based compilations, data reviews, and targeting. EMX and South32 are monitoring the situation regarding the commencement of the initial drill test at Midnight Juniper, which was originally scheduled to begin in March.
In Q2 of 2020, Millrock entered into a definitive agreement with Resolution Minerals Ltd. ("Resolution") to fund US$5,000,000 in exploration for drill campaigns and other work programs (see Millrock news release dated February 4, 2020). Drilling commenced at the West Pogo block's Aurora target in early March, but was suspended in late March due to COVID-19 (see Millrock news releases dated March 2 and March 30, 2020). Hole 20AU-001 was completed to 462.4 meters, and intersected several zones of quartz veining with sulfides and strong to intense sericite - dolomite wall rock alteration. Hole 20AU-002 was suspended at 194.5 meters, short of the planned 600-meter depth, and intersected quartz veining, alteration and sulfide mineralization.
South America
EMX is a long-standing investor in Revelo Resources Corp. (TSX-V: RVL) ("Revelo"), a company focused on the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties in the metallogenic belts of northern Chile. In Q1, Revelo agreed to sell its generative NSR royalty portfolio to EMX (see Revelo news release dated January 20, 2020). EMX subsequently closed the acquisition of NSR royalty interests covering 18 properties from Revelo for US$1,162,000 (see EMX news release dated March 26, 2020). Of that amount, US$369,907 was applied to fully repay EMX for an outstanding loan due from Revelo. The royalties cover substantial land positions containing porphyry copper, epithermal precious metals, and IOCG (iron-oxide copper-gold) targets located within key Chilean metallogenic belts.
Scandinavia
The Company's portfolio in Scandinavia totals over 45 royalty and royalty generation projects, a large portion of which are being advanced by partner companies. There has been heightened levels of interest in the available EMX projects, with five projects partnered in Q1. EMX's royalty generation initiatives continued to add new projects to the portfolio that are available for partnership.
An updated mineral resource estimate for the Kaukua deposit was announced in September, 2019 by Palladium One*. Palladium One's Technical Report outlined a pit-constrained mineral resource for the Kaukua deposit at a cut-off of 0.3 g/t palladium (Pd) summarized as (note "Pd Eq" is palladium equivalent):
Mineral Resource Estimate for the Kaukua Deposit - September 2019 ** |
||||||||
Class |
Ktonnes |
Pd g/t |
Pt g/t |
Au g/t |
Ni % |
Cu% |
Pd Eq g/t |
Pd Eq oz |
Indicated |
10,985 |
0.81 |
0.27 |
0.09 |
0.09 |
0.15 |
1.8 |
635,600 |
Inferred |
10,875 |
0.64 |
0.20 |
0.08 |
0.08 |
0.13 |
1.5 |
525,800 |
Palladium One also announced the completion of an Induced Polarization (IP) survey to the south and east of the main Kaukua deposit that identified a "large chargeability anomaly", which suggests that the "greater Kaukua Area could have a much larger resource endowment than previously understood", as quoted in Palladium One's news release dated February 25, 2019. The newly recognized chargeability anomalies are covered by EMX's Kaukua royalty property.
* "Technical Report for the Kaukua Deposit, Läntinen Koillismaa Project, Finland", dated September 9, 2019.
** From Table 1-1 of the Technical Report, with explanatory notes that include: "CIM definitions have been followed for the Mineral Resources; Bulk densities of 2.9 t/m3 have been assigned for all lithologies within the block model except the overburden which has a bulk density of 2.1 t/m3 assigned; The optimization used metal prices (in USD) of $1,100/oz for Pd, $950/oz for Pt, $1,300/oz for Au, $6,614/t for Cu and $15,432/t for Ni; Mining dilution and recovery factors have been assumed at 5% and 95% respectively; Pd Eq is the weighted sum of the Pd, Pt, Au, Ni and Cu grades based on the commodity prices as outlined; and Errors may occur due to rounding to appropriate significant figures." EMX notes that recoveries and net smelter returns are assumed to be 100% for the Pd Eq calculation.
In Q1-2020, Norra informed EMX that it intends to focus on the Bleikvassli and Meråker projects during 2020, and terminated its interests in the Sagvoll and Bastuträsk VMS projects (see Norra news release dated January 24, 2020). The Sagvoll and Bastuträsk projects have reverted back to 100% EMX control, and are now available for partnership.
Serbia
The Company has three royalty properties in Serbia, including the Brestovac 0.5% NSR royalty covering the Cukaru Peki deposit's Upper Zone high grade copper-gold development project and the Lower Zone porphyry copper-gold resource project (note: the royalty percentage is subject to reduction only as provided in the royalty agreement). EMX also has the Brestovac West royalty property covering ground directly to the west of Cukaru Peki with NSR royalties of 2% for gold and silver and 1% for all other metals. The Brestovac and Brestovac West royalty properties are included in what has been termed the "Timok Project". Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd. ("Zijin") controls 100% of the Timok Project's Upper and Lower Zones. All dollar amounts below are in USD unless otherwise noted.
Zijin expects initial Upper Zone production in 2021 (see www.zijinmining.com). An Upper Zone Pre-Feasibility Study ("PFS") was completed by previous operator Nevsun Resources Ltd. ("Nevsun") in 2018, with a probable mineral reserve of 27 million tonnes at 3.3% copper and 2.1 g/t gold (see Nevsun news release dated March 28, 2018 and Sedar filed Technical Report). The PFS outlined a 10 year mine life that yields approximately 1.7 billion pounds of payable copper and 516 thousand ounces of payable gold. Chinese mining contractor JCHX, through its Serbian subsidiary JCHX Kinsey Mining Construction doo Bor, is managing mine construction, with development of the ventilation shaft and main decline underway (see https://im-mining.com/2020/04/22/zijin-bor-copper-produce-3-3-mt-ore-annually-timok-upper-zone-mine-starting-late-2021/).
Turkey
EMX holds six royalty properties in Turkey's Western Anatolia and Eastern Pontides mineral belts, all of which are being advanced by Turkish companies. The Company continues to work closely with its Turkish partners, and retains Dama Engineering Inc. ("Dama"), a Turkish mining engineering company based in Ankara, to assist with the management of EMX's interests in Turkey.
Dedeman sold the Balya property and mining facilities to Esan Eczacibaşi Endüstriyel Hammaddeler San. ve Tic. A.Ş. ("Esan"), a private Turkish company as reported in early Q1 (see EMX news release dated January 7, 2020). Esan operates a lead-zinc mine with a 5,000 tonne per day capacity flotation mill on the property adjacent to the Balya royalty property. As part of the transaction, EMX executed a revised royalty agreement with Esan that provides for the blending of materials mined from the Esan property and EMX's royalty property. Mineralized materials extracted from the Balya property will be processed through Esan's nearby mill and concentrator facilities. As a result, EMX expects royalty payments from Balya to increase over the next 1-2 years.
Esan commenced work on the Balya property during Q1, including a drill program designed to acquire data for defining underground design and mine planning parameters.
Australia
The Company's portfolio in Australia consists of the Koonenberry royalty property and the Queensland Gold project which is available for partnership. During Q1, the operator of the Koonenberry project, Koonenberry Gold Pty Ltd, a private Australian company, continued with its work programs. EMX conducted surface geochemical sampling programs and additional geophysical surveys at the Queensland Gold project in Q1, and added an additional 15,930 hectares to the property position where additional discovery potential was recognized. The licenses covering the East Kimberley project in Western Australia were relinquished during the quarter.
Strategic Investments
RAH advised EMX that for Q1, production from the Rawhide operation was sourced from open pit mining at the Regent deposit. RAH has taken steps to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on its staff at Rawhide, and expects to ramp-up production in Q2 after having completed routine repairs and maintenance during Q1.
EMX's investment in Ensero provides for near-term quarterly cash flow to the Company from dividend and other payments which will total US$8,540,000 over seven years, as well as a 7.5% equity position. The investment also establishes the basis for a Strategic Alliance that uniquely leverages a combination of EMX's knowledge of historic mining districts in the U.S. and Canada with Ensero's mine reclamation expertise. This synergy has the potential to unlock the value of legacy mining properties through remediation and reclamation in advance of eventual sale of an asset for exploration and development.
Qualified Persons
Michael P. Sheehan, CPG, a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and employee of the Company, has reviewed, verified and approved the above technical disclosure on North America, South America, and Strategic Investments. Eric P. Jensen, CPG, a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and employee of the Company, has reviewed, verified and approved the above technical disclosure on Turkey, Scandinavia, and Serbia.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended March 31, 2020
Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2020 ("Q1-2020") was $2,120,000 compared to a net loss of $2,787,000 for the comparative period ("Q1-2019"). The net income for Q1-2020 was made up of revenues of $751,000 (Q1-2019 - $1,415,000), costs and expenses, including royalty generation costs totaling $3,279,000 (Q1-2019 - $2,469,000) and other income totaling $4,648,000 (Q1-2019 - loss $1,814,000). Significant components of other income and losses include a loss in fair value changes of certain financial instruments of $818,000 (Q1-2019 - $14,000), and a foreign exchange adjustment of $5,419,000 (Q1-2019 - Loss $1,800,000).
Revenues and other income
The Company earns various sources of revenue including royalty income, interest, gains related to the sale of mineral properties, sale of marketable securities, and option revenue earned from mineral property agreements including operator fees on managed projects.
During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had the following sources of revenues:
In Thousands of Dollars | ||||||
Revenue and other income for the three months ended | March 31, 2020 | March 31, 2019 | ||||
Royalty revenue | $ | 343 | $ | 356 | ||
Interest income | 255 | 467 | ||||
Option and other property income | 153 | 592 | ||||
$ | 751 | $ | 1,415 |
In Q1-2020, the Company earned $343,000 (Q1-2019 - $356,000) of royalty income. This included royalty income earned for 139 (Q1-2019 - 188) ounces of gold from the Leeville royalty interest and other pre-production amounts received. The decrease compared to the three months ended March 31, 2019 was mainly the result of a decrease in production ounces received in the current period. In Q1-2019, the average realized gold price for the Leeville royalty was US$ 1,588 (Q1-2019 - US$ 1,304) per ounce. Royalty income is offset by gold tax and depletion of $15,000 (Q1-2019 - $16,000). Net royalty income from the Leeville royalty will fluctuate as result of a combination of ounces received, average price per ounce, and foreign exchange as a result of the Leeville royalty being paid in USD. The Company also receives additional AMR's related to other projects and included in royalty income which timing of receipt can fluctuate.
Interest income was earned on the substantial cash balance the Company holds.
As with AMR's, other income from property agreements including staged option payments, operator and management fees, and execution payments can fluctuate from period to period depending on the structure of the agreement. Other property income for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was the result of the Company optioning off the Espedalen, Hosanger, and Sigdal nickel-copper-cobalt projects in Norway with Pursuit Minerals, and the execution of two sale agreements to sell the Alankoy and Trab-23 projects in Turkey.
Cost and Expenses
Costs and expenses are comprised of expenditures incurred by the Company to carry out the royalty generation operations and the advancement of projects, as well as marketing and communications. Included in these costs is general and administrative costs for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 comprised of the following:
In Thousands of Dollars | ||||||
General and administrative expenses for the three months ended | March 31, 2020 | March 31, 2019 | ||||
Salaries, consultants, and benefits | $ | 473 | $ | 373 | ||
Professional fees | 232 | 71 | ||||
Investor relations and shareholder information | 160 | 228 | ||||
Transfer agent and filing fees | 56 | 106 | ||||
Administrative and office | 267 | 228 | ||||
Travel | 15 | 45 | ||||
$ | 1,203 | $ | 1,050 |
General and administrative expenses ("G&A") of $1,203,000 were incurred for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $1,050,000 in the comparative period. Many general andministrative expenditures will fluctuate from period to period depending on the level of activity and deal flow. Some of the changes in Q1-2020 compared to Q1-2019 are related to:
It should be noted that many of our personnel and professional expenditures companywide are denominated in United States dollars ("USD") and an increase or decrease in the value of the USD compared to the Canadian dollar, which is our reporting currency, will increase or decrease expenditures.
Project and Royalty Generation Costs, Net of Recoveries
Net Royalty generation costs increased from $1,086,000 in Q1-2019 to $1,600,000 in Q1-2020 on a net basis. This is a result of an increase in expenditures of $243,000 in Q1-2020 compared to Q1-2019 including, offset with a decrease in recoveries from partners by $271,000 in Q1-2020 compared to Q1-2019. Royalty generation costs and recoveries from partners vary from period to period depending on the level of activity incurred and comparison between periods does not accurately reflect the activity with the Company. The decrease in recoveries for Q1-2020 compared to Q1-2019 is directly related to cost recoveries on multiple projects partnered with Boreal, Norra Metals, and Gold Line in Sweden and Norway, and South32 in Sweden and the US. See the highlights, royalty and project review sections for current activities.
Share-based Payments
In Q1-2020 the Company recorded a total of $78,000 in share-based payment compared to $Nil in Q1-2019. Share based compensation relate to the fair value of stock options granted and vested during the period. The share-based compensation during the period related to general and administrative activities.
Other
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company considers items included in shareholders' equity as capital. The Company's objective when managing capital is to safeguard the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, so that it can continue to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders.
As at March 31, 2020, the Company had working capital of $71,428,000 (December 31, 2019 - $75,178,000). The Company has continuing royalty income that will vary depending on royalty ounces received, the price of gold, and foreign exchange rates on US royalty payments. The Company manages the capital structure and makes adjustments in light of changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of the underlying assets. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Company may issue new shares through public and/or private placements, sell assets, or return capital to shareholders.
Management believes it will have sufficient working capital to undertake its current business and the budgets associated with those plans for the next twelve months and the foreseeable future.
Operating Activities
Cash used in operations was $3,560,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 (Q1-2019 - $6,822,000) and represents expenditures primarily on royalty generation and general and administrative expense for both periods, offset by royalty income received in the year. A significant component of cash used in operations in the current fiscal year is the increased due diligence and related activities related to royalty generation and deal flow.
Financing Activities
The total cash provided by financings during the three months ended March 31, 2020 was $863,000 (Q1-2019 - $604,000). For Q1-2020 the Company received $327,000 from the exercise of stock options compared to $604,000 for Q1-2019. In Q1-2020, the Company also received $536,000 from Revelo Resources Corp. as full repayment of an outstanding loan.
Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was $5,797,000 compared to $659,000 for the comparative period.
Some of the significant cash investment activities during the three months ended March 31, 2020 includ:
- The purchase of fair value through other comprehensive income of $5,023,000 which includes the investment in Ensero.
- The proceeds from the sale of fair value through profit and loss investments of $844,000, offset with purchases of $154,000.
- The purchase of royalty interests totalling $1,810,000 related to the Revelo and Kaukua royalty interests.
- The Company also received approximately $255,000 (Q1-2019 - $412,000) in interest income earned on cash balances.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
As of the date of this MD&A, the Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future effect on the results of operations or financial condition of the Company, including, and without limitation, such considerations as liquidity and capital resources.
QUARTERLY INFORMATION
In Thousands of Dollars, Except Per Share Amounts | ||||||||||||
Fiscal quarter ended | March 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | September 30, 2019 | June 30, 2019 | ||||||||
Revenue and other income | $ | 751 | $ | 1,383 | $ | 1,212 | $ | 1,074 | ||||
Project and royalty generation costs | (2,117 | ) | (4,324 | ) | (3,638 | ) | (5,887 | ) | ||||
Recoveries from partners | 517 | 3,106 | 1,714 | 1,669 | ||||||||
Share-based payments | 78 | 223 | 114 | 908 | ||||||||
Net income (loss) for the period | 2,120 | (1,900 | ) | (2,391 | ) | (6,742 | ) | |||||
Basic earnings (loss) per share | 0.03 | (0.02 | ) | (0.03 | ) | (0.08 | ) | |||||
Diluted earnings (loss) per share | 0.02 | (0.02 | ) | (0.03 | ) | (0.08 | ) |
In Thousands of Dollars, Except Per Share Amounts | ||||||||||||
Fiscal quarter ended | March 31, 2019 | December 31, 2018 | September 30, 2018 | June 30, 2018 | ||||||||
Revenue and other income | $ | 1,415 | $ | 982 | $ | 560 | $ | 756 | ||||
Project and royalty generation costs | (1,874 | ) | (1,491 | ) | (3,428 | ) | (1,489 | ) | ||||
Recoveries from partners | 788 | 222 | 924 | 229 | ||||||||
Share-based payments | - | 220 | 807 | - | ||||||||
Net income (loss) for the period | (2,787 | ) | 73,027 | (5,287 | ) | (3,698 | ) | |||||
Basic earnings (loss) per share | (0.03 | ) | 0.92 | (0.07 | ) | (0.07 | ) | |||||
Diluted earnings (loss) per share | (0.03 | ) | 0.91 | (0.07 | ) | (0.07 | ) |
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The aggregate value of transactions and outstanding balances relating to key management personnel and directors were as follows:
In Thousands of Dollars | |||||||||
Share-based | |||||||||
For the three month ended March 31, 2020 | Salary or Fees | Payments | Total | ||||||
David M. Cole, President and CEO | $ | 110 | $ | - | $ | 110 | |||
Rocio Echegaray, Corporate Secretary | 24 | - | 24 | ||||||
Brian Levet, Director | 6 | - | 6 | ||||||
Brian Bayley, Director | 6 | - | 6 | ||||||
Larry Okada, Director | 6 | - | 6 | ||||||
Michael Winn, Director (1) | 20 | - | 20 | ||||||
Seabord Services Corp. (2) | 89 | - | 89 | ||||||
Total | $ | 261 | $ | - | $ | 261 | |||
In Thousands of Dollars | |||||||||
Share-based | |||||||||
For the three months ended March 31, 2019 | Salary or Fees | Payments | Total | ||||||
David M. Cole, President and CEO | $ | 108 | $ | - | $ | 108 | |||
Jan Steiert, Chief Legal Officer | 67 | - | 67 | ||||||
Brian Levet, Director | 6 | - | 6 | ||||||
Brian Bayley, Director | 6 | - | 6 | ||||||
Larry Okada, Director | 6 | - | 6 | ||||||
Michael Winn, Director (1) | 20 | - | 20 | ||||||
Seabord Services Corp. (2) | 111 | - | 111 | ||||||
Total | $ | 324 | $ | - | $ | 324 |
(1) Directors fees include US$5 thousand per month paid to the Company's non-Executive Chairman, who does not receive the fees paid to the other independent director's.
(2) Seabord Services Corp. ("Seabord") is a management services company controlled by the Chairman of the Board. Seabord provides a Chief Financial Officer, accounting and administration staff, and office space to EMX. The Chief Financial Officer is an employee of Seabord and are not paid directly by EMX.
In Thousands of Dollars | |||||||
Related Party Assets and Liabilities | Service or Term | March 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||
Amounts due to: | |||||||
David M. Cole, President and CEO | Salary and Bonus | $ | 2 | $ | 12 | ||
Brian Levet, Director | Fees | - | 6 | ||||
Brian Bayley, Director | Fees | 5 | 5 | ||||
Michael Winn, Director | Fees and Bonus | - | 7 | ||||
Larry Okada, Director | Fees | - | 6 | ||||
Seabord Services Corp. | Expense Reimbursement | 1 | - | ||||
$ | 8 | $ | 36 |
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Accounting standards adopted during the period
Please refer to the unaudited consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2020 on www.sedar.com.
Accounting pronouncements not yet effective
Please refer to the unaudited consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2020 on www.sedar.com.
RISK AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT: FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Please refer to the unaudited consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2020 on www.sedar.com.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT ESTIMATES AND UNCERTAINTIES
Please refer to the unaudited consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2020 on www.sedar.com.
RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
The Company has identified the following risks and uncertainties which are consisted with those risks identified for the year ended December 31, 2019: The impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic may significantly impact the Company, Mineral Property Exploration Risks, Revenue and Royalty Risks, Financing and Share Price Fluctuation Risks, Foreign Countries and Political Risks, Competition, Return on Investment Risk, No Assurance of Titles or Borders, Unknown Defects or Impairments in Our Royalty or Streaming Interests, Operators' Interpretation of Our Royalty and Stream Interests; Unfulfilled Contractual Obligations, Currency Risks, Exploration Funding Risk, Insured and Uninsured Risks, Environmental Risks and Hazards, Fluctuating Metal Prices, Extensive Governmental Regulation and Permitting Requirements Risks, Key Personnel Risk, Conflicts of Interest, Passive Foreign Investment Company, Corporate Governance and Public Disclosure Regulations and Internal Controls over Financial Reporting.
For details on the above risks and uncertainties, please refer to the MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2019 on www.sedar.com.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures have been designed to provide reasonable assurance that all material information related to the Company is identified and communicated to management on a timely basis. Management of the Company, under the supervision of the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for the design and operation of disclosure controls and procedures in accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 52-109 of the Canadian Securities Administrators (“National Instrument 52-109”) and as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the U.S. Exchange Act). As a result of a certain weakness in internal control over financial reporting for the year ended December 31, 2019, we concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective. The remediation plan has begun as detailed below under “Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting”.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS. As previously reported for the year ended December 31, 2019, management had concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was not effective due to the following material weakness: ineffective review processes over period end financial diclsoure and reporting including documentation of GAAP disclosure and reporting reviews supporting the financial reporting process. During the period covered by this MD&A, the Company continued to engage an independent third-party Sarbanes-Oxley consultant (“Sox Consultant”) to assist with our internal controls. The Sox Consultant will work with us to remediate the identified material weakness noted above and further enhance our internal controls. Remediation efforts will include the implementation of additional controls to reestablish effective internal control over financial reporting. A report has been prepared outlining the Company’s Fiscal 2020 Internal Controls Plan, and the Remediation Plan for Fiscal 2019 Significant Deficiencies. As of the date of this MD&A, several of the weaknesses have been remediated and we continue to work on the remaining weaknesses. The weaknesses will not be considered remediated until the applicable controls operate for a sufficient period of time and management has concluded, through testing, that these controls are operating effectively.
OUTSTANDING SHARE DATA
At May 12, 2020, the Company had 83,139,460 common shares issued and outstanding. There were also 6,252,000 stock options outstanding with expiry dates ranging from June 8, 2020 to April 22, 2025.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This MD&A may contain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding perceived merit of properties, exploration results and budgets, mineral reserves and resource estimates, work programs, capital expenditures, operating costs, cash flow estimates, production estimates and similar statements relating to the economic viability of a project, timelines, strategic plans, completion of transactions, market prices for metals or other statements that are not statements of fact. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Statements concerning mineral resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute "forward-looking statements" to the extent that they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered if the property is developed.
Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, identified by words or phrases such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "estimates", "assumes", "intends", "strategy", "goals", "objectives", "potential", "possible" or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events, conditions or results "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material assumptions, including those listed below, which could prove to be significantly incorrect:
• the Company's ability to achieve production at any of its mineral properties;
• estimated capital costs, operating costs, production and economic returns;
• estimated metal pricing, metallurgy, mineability, marketability and operating and capital costs, together with other assumptions underlying the Company's resource and reserve estimates;
• the Company's expected ability to develop adequate infrastructure at a reasonable cost;
• assumptions that all necessary permits and governmental approvals will be obtained;
• assumptions made in the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of the Company's mineral deposits;
• the Company's expectations regarding demand for equipment, skilled labor and services needed for exploration and development of mineral properties; and
• the Company's activities will not be adversely disrupted or impeded by development, operating or regulatory risks.
Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation:
• uncertainty of whether there will ever be production at the Company's mineral exploration and development properties;
• uncertainty of estimates of capital costs, operating costs, production and economic returns;
• uncertainties relating to the assumptions underlying the Company's resource and reserve estimates, such as metal pricing, metallurgy, mineability, marketability and operating and capital costs;
• risks related to the Company's ability to commence production and generate material revenues or obtain adequate financing for its planned exploration and development activities;
• risks related to the Company's ability to finance the development of its mineral properties through external financing, joint ventures or other strategic alliances, the sale of property interests or otherwise;
• risks related to the third parties on which the Company depends for its exploration and development activities;
• dependence on cooperation of joint venture partners in exploration and development of properties;
• credit, liquidity, interest rate and currency risks;
• risks related to market events and general economic conditions;
• uncertainty related to inferred mineral resources;
• risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of the Company's mineral deposits;
• risks related to lack of adequate infrastructure;
• mining and development risks, including risks related to infrastructure, accidents, equipment breakdowns, labor disputes or other unanticipated difficulties with or interruptions in development, construction or production;
• the risk that permits and governmental approvals necessary to develop and operate mines on the Company's properties will not be available on a timely basis or at all;
• commodity price fluctuations;
• risks related to governmental regulation and permits, including environmental regulation;
• risks related to the need for reclamation activities on the Company's properties and uncertainty of cost estimates related thereto;
• uncertainty related to title to the Company's mineral properties;
• uncertainty as to the outcome of potential litigation;
• risks related to increases in demand for equipment, skilled labor and services needed for exploration and development of mineral properties, and related cost increases;
• increased competition in the mining industry;
• the Company's need to attract and retain qualified management and technical personnel;
• risks related to hedging arrangements or the lack thereof;
• uncertainty as to the Company's ability to acquire additional commercially mineable mineral rights;
• risks related to the integration of potential new acquisitions into the Company's existing operations;
• risks related to unknown liabilities in connection with acquisitions;
• risks related to conflicts of interest of some of the directors of the Company;
• risks related to global climate change;
• risks related to adverse publicity from non-governmental organizations;
• risks related to political uncertainty or instability in countries where the Company's mineral properties are located;
• uncertainty as to the Company's passive foreign investment company ("PFIC") status;
• uncertainty as to the Company's status as a "foreign private issuer" and "emerging growth company" in future years;
• uncertainty as to the Company's ability to maintain the adequacy of internal control over financial reporting; and
• risks related to regulatory and legal compliance and increased costs relating thereto.
This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and actual achievements of the Company or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors.
The Company's forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date of this MD&A, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, except as required by law. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
More information about the Company including its recent financial reports is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The Company's Annual Report on Form 40-F, including the recent financial reports, is available on SEC's EDGAR website at www.sec.gov and on the Company's website at www.EMXroyalty.com.
Cautionary Note to Investors Concerning Estimates of Inferred, Indicated and Measured Resources
The MD&A may use the terms "Inferred", "Indicated", and "Measured" mineral resources. EMX advises investors that although these terms are recognized and required by Canadian regulations under National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101"), the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") does not recognize these terms under Industry Guide 7. The Company notes that on October 31, 2018, the SEC adopted amendments to modernize the property disclosure requirements for mining registrants, and related guidance, which are currently set forth in Item 102 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and in Industry Guide 7. The amendments consolidate mining property disclosure requirements by relocating them to a new subpart of Regulation S-K (Subpart 1300). The amendments will more closely align disclosure requirements and policies for mining properties with current industry and global regulatory practices and standard. Registrants must comply with the new rules for the first fiscal year beginning on or after January 1, 2021.
Investors are cautioned that Inferred resources have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. Geological evidence is sufficient to imply, but not verify, geological and grade continuity of Inferred mineral resources. It is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred resources could be upgraded to Indicated resources with continued exploration. Under Canadian rules, estimates of Inferred mineral resources may not be converted to a mineral reserve, or form the basis of economic analysis, production schedule, or estimated mine life in publicly disclosed Pre-Feasibility or Feasibility Studies, or in the Life of Mine plans and cash flow models of developed mines. Inferred mineral resources can only be used in economic studies as provided under NI 43-101. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that part or all of an Inferred resource exists, or is economically or legally mineable. U.S. investors are further cautioned not to assume that any part or all of a mineral resource in the Measured and Indicated categories will ever be converted into reserves.
Form 52-109F2
Certification of Interim Filings
Full Certificate
I, David M. Cole, Chief Executive Officer of EMX Royalty Corporation, certify the following:
1. Review: I have reviewed the interim financial report and interim MD&A (together, the "interim filings") of EMX Royalty Corporation (the "issuer") for the interim period ended March 31, 2020.
2. No misrepresentations: Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim filings do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances under which it was made, with respect to the period covered by the interim filings.
3. Fair presentation: Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim financial report together with the other financial information included in the interim filings fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, financial performance and cash flows of the issuer, as of the date of and for the periods presented in the interim filings.
4. Responsibility: The issuer's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (DC&P) and internal control over financial reporting (ICFR), as those terms are defined in National Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers' Annual and Interim Filings, for the issuer.
5. Design: Subject to the limitations, if any, described in paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3, the issuer's other certifying officer(s) and I have, as at the end of the period covered by the interim filings
(a) designed DC&P, or caused it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance that
(i) material information relating to the issuer is made known to us by others, particularly during the period in which the interim filings are being prepared; and
(ii) information required to be disclosed by the issuer in its annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or submitted by it under securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in securities legislation; and
(b) designed ICFR, or caused it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with the issuer's GAAP.
5.1 Control framework: The control framework the issuer's other certifying officer(s) and I used to design the issuer's ICFR is Internal Control Integrated Framework published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
5.2 ICFR - material weakness relating to design: N/A
5.3 Limitation on scope of design: N/A
6. Reporting changes in ICFR: The issuer has disclosed in its interim MD&A any change in the issuer's ICFR that occurred during the period beginning on January 1, 2020 and ended on March 31, 2020 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the issuer's ICFR.
Date: May 15, 2020
"David M. Cole"
David M. Cole
President and Chief Executive Officer
1
Form 52-109F2
Certification of Interim Filings
Full Certificate
I, Christina Cepeliauskas, Chief Financial Officer of EMX Royalty Corporation, certify the following:
1. Review: I have reviewed the interim financial report and interim MD&A (together, the "interim filings") of EMX Royalty Corporation (the "issuer") for the interim period ended March 31, 2020.
2. No misrepresentations: Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim filings do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances under which it was made, with respect to the period covered by the interim filings.
3. Fair presentation: Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim financial report together with the other financial information included in the interim filings fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, financial performance and cash flows of the issuer, as of the date of and for the periods presented in the interim filings.
4. Responsibility: The issuer's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (DC&P) and internal control over financial reporting (ICFR), as those terms are defined in National Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers' Annual and Interim Filings, for the issuer.
5. Design: Subject to the limitations, if any, described in paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3, the issuer's other certifying officer(s) and I have, as at the end of the period covered by the interim filings
(a) designed DC&P, or caused it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance that
(i) material information relating to the issuer is made known to us by others, particularly during the period in which the interim filings are being prepared; and
(ii) information required to be disclosed by the issuer in its annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or submitted by it under securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in securities legislation; and
(b) designed ICFR, or caused it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with the issuer's GAAP.
5.1 Control framework: The control framework the issuer's other certifying officer(s) and I used to design the issuer's ICFR is Internal Control Integrated Framework published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
5.2 ICFR - material weakness relating to design: N/A
5.3 Limitation on scope of design: N/A
6. Reporting changes in ICFR: The issuer has disclosed in its interim MD&A any change in the issuer's ICFR that occurred during the period beginning on January 1, 2020 and ended on March 31, 2020 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the issuer's ICFR.
Date: May 15, 2020
"Christina Cepeliauskas"
Christina Cepeliauskas
Chief Financial Officer
1