EX-99.2 3 exhibit99-2.htm MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2019. Exhibit 99.2

Exhibit 99.2


Management’s Discussion and Analysis
For the three months ended
March 31, 2019





General

The purpose of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is to explain management’s point of view regarding the past performance and future outlook of Gold Standard Ventures Corp. (the “Company”). This MD&A also provides information to improve the reader’s understanding of the financial statements and related notes as well as important trends and risks affecting the Company’s financial performance, and should therefore be read in conjunction with the Company’s condensed interim consolidated financial statements and notes for the three months ended March 31, 2019 (the “Financial Statements”) and the Company’s annual information form (the “2018 AIF”), annual management discussion and analysis (the “2018 Annual MD&A”) and annual audited consolidated financial statements (the “2018 Annual Financial Statements”) for the year ended December 31, 2018.

All information contained in this MD&A is current as of May 13, 2019 unless otherwise stated.

All financial information in this MD&A has been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and all dollar amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated.

Additional information on the Company is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov and at the Company’s website, www.goldstandardv.com. The date of this MD&A is May 13, 2019.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements and information contained in this MD&A constitute “forward-looking statements” and “forward looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements and forward looking information include statements concerning the Company’s current expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs, and, in certain cases, can be identified by the use of words such as “seeks”, “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “should”, “would”, “might” or “will”, “occur” or “be achieved”, or the negative forms of any of these words and other similar expressions.

Examples of forward-looking information in this MD&A may pertain to the following, among others:

1.     

the existence and estimates of mineral resources or reserves and the timing of development thereof;

 

 
2.     

exploration and work programs, including reference to the Company’s plans of operations and notices of intent in place for the Railroad-Pinion Project (as defined below);

 

 
3.     

plans for additional drilling and exploration activities to investigate potential development opportunities for the Railroad-Pinion Project;

 

 
4.     

the Company working toward a Pre-Feasibility Study (“PFS”) for the Railroad-Pinion Project;

 

 
5.     

plan to pursue minority interests in certain key private land parcels where the Company currently holds less than a 100% interest;

 

 
6.     

performance characteristics of mineral properties;

 

 
7.     

the expectation that the Dark Star deposit (the “Dark Star Deposit”) may be emerging as a major Carlin gold occurrence where a larger-than-expected ridgeline fault system has played a significant role in concentrating higher grade gold;

 

 
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8.     

mineral resource or reserve predictions based on recent drilling results;

 

 
9.     

the belief that deeper, lower plate carbonate hosted gold targets are likely to occur in a favorable structural setting beneath the Dark Star Deposit, similar to the structural setting in the Carlin North Area;

 

 
10.     

management’s belief that the Company currently has sufficient cash on hand to maintain its projects and finance its operating costs over the next 6 months and the expectation that after this time the Company will require additional capital to fund the complete work program recommended in the Railroad Pinion Technical Report (as defined below) and maintain operations;

 

 
11.     

projections of market prices and costs, including estimates of costs and budgeting for potential exploration operations and mining scenarios;

 

 
12.     

estimated property holding and maintenance costs for the Railroad-Pinion Project;

 

 
13.     

drilling plans and timing of drilling;

 

 
14.     

treatment under governmental regulatory regimes and tax laws, including the expectation that the Company will be a passive foreign investment company for the taxable year ended December 31, 2019; and

 

 
15.     

capital expenditure programs and the timing and method of financing thereof.

Forward-looking statements and forward looking information reflect the Company’s current expectations and assumptions, and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements and forward looking information, including without limitation:

1.     

the Company’s limited operating history;

 

 
2.     

the Company’s history of losses and expectation of future losses;

 

 
3.     

uncertainty as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern;

 

 
4.     

the existence of mineral resources on the Company’s mineral properties;

 

 
5.     

the Company’s ability to obtain adequate financing for exploration and development;

 

 
6.     

the Company’s ability to attract and retain qualified personnel;

 

 
7.     

the Company’s ability to carry out operations in accordance with plans in the face of significant disruptions;

 

 
8.     

the Company’s ability to convert mineral resource estimates previously classified as Inferred to Indicated or Measured and proceeding with economic studies for the Railroad-Pinion Project;

 

 
9.     

fluctuations in foreign exchange or interest rates and stock market volatility;

 

 

10.     

uncertainty as to the Company’s ability to maintain effective internal controls;

 

 
11.     

the involvement by some of the Company’s directors and officers with other natural resource companies;

 

 
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12.     

the uncertain nature of estimating mineral resources and reserves;

 

 
13.     

uncertainty surrounding the Company’s ability to successfully develop its mineral properties;

 

 
14.     

exploration, development and mining risks, including risks related to infrastructure, accidents and equipment breakdowns;

 

 
15.     

title defects to the Company’s mineral properties;

 

 
16.     

the Company’s ability to obtain all necessary permits and other approvals;

 

 
17.     

risks related to equipment shortages, access restrictions and inadequate infrastructure;

 

 
18.     

increased costs and restrictions on operations due to compliance with environmental legislation and potential lawsuits;

 

 
19.     

fluctuations in the market price of gold (“Au”), other metals and certain other commodities (such as natural gas, fuel, oil, and electricity);

 

 
20.     

intense competition in the mining industry; and

 

 
21.     

the Company’s ability to comply with applicable regulatory requirements.

In making the forward-looking statements and developing the forward looking information included in this MD&A, the Company has made various material assumptions, including, but not limited to:

1.     

the results of the Company’s proposed exploration programs on the Railroad-Pinion Project will be consistent with current expectations;

 

 

2.     

the Company’s assessment and interpretation of potential geological structures and mineralization at the Railroad-Pinion Project are accurate in all material respects;

 

 
3.     

the quantity and grade of mineral resources contained in the Railroad-Pinion Project are accurate in all material respects;

 

 
4.     

further financing being required to complete the work programs and drilling on the Railroad- Pinion Project including, but not limited to, its North Bullion deposit (the “North Bullion Deposit”), its Dark Star Deposit and its Pinion deposit (the “Pinion Deposit”), as recommended in the Railroad-Pinion Technical Report (as defined below);

 

 
5.     

the price for gold, other precious metals and commodities will not change significantly from current levels;

 

 
6.     

the Company will be able to secure additional financing to continue exploration and, if warranted, development activities on the Railroad-Pinion Project and meet future obligations as required from time to time;

 

 
7.     

the Company will be able to obtain regulatory approvals and permits in a timely manner and on terms consistent with current expectations;

 

 
8.     

the involvement by some of the Company’s directors and officers with other natural resource companies will not result in a conflict of interest which adversely affects the Company;

 

 

9.     

the Company will be able to procure drilling and other mining equipment, energy and supplies in a timely and cost efficient manner to meet the Company’s needs from time to time;

 

 
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10.     

the Company’s capital and operating costs will not increase significantly from current levels;

 

 
11.     

key personnel will continue their employment with the Company and the Company will be able to recruit and retain additional qualified personnel, as needed, in a timely and cost efficient manner;

 

 
12.     

there will be no significant adverse changes in the Canada/U.S. currency exchange or interest rates and stock markets;

 

 
13.     

there will be no significant changes in the ability of the Company to comply with environmental, safety and other regulatory requirements; and

 

 
14.     

the absence of any material adverse effects arising as a result of political instability, terrorism, sabotage, natural disasters, equipment failures or adverse changes in government legislation or the socio-economic conditions in Nevada and the surrounding area with respect to the Railroad-Pinion Project and operations.

Other assumptions are discussed throughout this MD&A and elsewhere in the Company’s public disclosure record.

The Company’s ability to predict the results of its operations or the effects of various events on its operating results is inherently uncertain. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and forward looking information or the assumptions on which the Company’s forward-looking statements and forward looking information are based. Investors are advised to carefully review and consider the risk factors identified in this MD&A under, among other places, “Risks and Uncertainties” and elsewhere in the Company’s public disclosure record for a discussion of the factors that could cause the Company’s actual results, performance and achievements to be materially different from any anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements and forward looking information. Investors are further cautioned that the foregoing list of risks and assumptions is not exhaustive and prospective investors should consult the more complete discussion of the Company’s business, financial condition and prospects that is included in this MD&A and elsewhere in the Company’s public disclosure record.

Although the Company believes that the assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are made and forward looking information is provided are reasonable, based on the information available to the Company on the date such statements were made or such information was provided, no assurances can be given as to whether these assumptions will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements and forward looking information contained in this MD&A are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. Furthermore, the above risks are not intended to represent a complete list of the risks that could affect the Company and readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward looking information in this MD&A.

Forward-looking statements and forward looking information speak only as of the date the statements are made or such information is provided. The Company assumes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements or forward looking information to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking statements or forward looking information, except to the extent required by applicable laws. If the Company does update one or more forward-looking statements or forward looking information, no inference should be drawn that the Company will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements or forward looking information.

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Cautionary Notes Regarding Mineral Resource Estimates

The disclosure in this MD&A has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Canadian securities laws, which differ from the requirements of United States securities laws. Disclosure, including scientific or technical information, has been made in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”). NI 43-101 is a regulation developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators that establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. Canadian standards, including NI 43-101, differ significantly from the requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). In particular, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term “resource” does not equate to the term “reserve”. Under United States standards, mineralization may not be classified as a “reserve” unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made. The SEC’s disclosure standards normally do not permit the inclusion of information concerning “measured mineral resources”, “indicated mineral resources” or “inferred mineral resources” or other descriptions of the amount of mineralization in mineral deposits that do not constitute “reserves” by United States standards in documents filed with the SEC. United States investors should also understand that “measured mineral resources”, “indicated mineral resources” and “inferred mineral resources” have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to their economic and legal feasibility. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part, or all, of the mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into mineral reserves. In accordance with Canadian rules, estimates of “inferred mineral resources” cannot form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies. Although it is reasonably expected that the majority of “inferred mineral resources” could be upgraded to “indicated mineral resources” with continued exploration, investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an “inferred mineral resource” exists or is economically or legally mineable. In addition, the definitions of “proven” and “probable mineral reserves” used in NI 43-101 differ from the definitions in SEC Industry Guide 7 under Regulation S-K of the United States Securities Act of 1933. Disclosure of “contained ounces” is permitted disclosure under Canadian legislation; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute reserves as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. Accordingly, information contained in this MD&A containing descriptions of the Company’s mineral properties may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

The forward-looking statements and forward-looking information contained herein are based on information available as of May 13, 2019.

Overall Performance

The Company is a Canadian-based company focused on the acquisition and exploration of district-scale and other gold-bearing mineral resource properties exclusively in the State of Nevada, United States. The Company has a limited history of operations and its only material mineral project, the Railroad-Pinion Project, is in the exploration stage. The Company has not been profitable since its inception, has had negative cash flow from operational activities and does not expect to generate revenues in the foreseeable future.

For the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company had a loss and comprehensive loss of $2,784,988 (March 31, 2018 - $2,626,972). As at March 31, 2019, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $66,580,474 (December 31, 2018 - $63,856,702). As at March 31, 2019, the Company had cash of $11,178,424 and working capital of $7,223,066. Further financing will be required to fund the complete work program recommended in the Railroad Pinion Technical Report, to maintain its current land position and for ongoing activities. If the Company is successful in identifying additional resources through further drilling and analysis, it will require significant amounts of additional capital to construct processing facilities and to develop metallurgical processes to extract those resources at any mine site.

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The Company’s ability to arrange financing in the future will depend, in part, upon the prevailing capital market conditions, business performance, and other factors such as volatility in the market price of gold and the availability of necessary equipment and personnel in the highly competitive mining sector.

The Company’s flagship property is the Railroad-Pinion project located along the Piñon mountain range approximately 15 miles (24 kilometers) south-southeast of Carlin, Nevada, in the Railroad mining district (the “Railroad-Pinion Project”). The Railroad-Pinion Project is an intermediate to advanced stage gold exploration project with a favorable structural, geological and stratigraphic setting situated at the southeast end of the Carlin Trend of north-central Nevada, adjacent to and south of Newmont Goldcorp Corporation’s Rain Mining District. The Carlin Trend is a northwest alignment of sedimentary rock-hosted gold deposits where more than 40 separate gold deposits have been delineated in domed geological complexes with past production exceeding 80,000,000 ounces of gold. Each dome or “window” is cored by igneous intrusions that uplift and expose Paleozoic rocks and certain stratigraphic contacts that are favorable for the formation of Carlin-style gold deposits. The Railroad-Pinion Project is centered on the fourth and southernmost dome-shaped window on the Carlin Trend.

The Railroad-Pinion Project consists of a significant and largely contiguous land position totaling approximately 53,769 gross acres (21,760 hectares) and 50,798 net acres (20,557 net hectares) of land in Elko County, Nevada. The Company owns or has an option to acquire ownership of approximately 30,141 gross acres (12,198 hectares) of subsurface mineral rights in the form of patented or unpatented mineral lodes (claims), and a further approximately 23,628 gross acres (9,562 hectares) of subsurface mineral rights secured or controlled by a contractual interest in private surface and mineral property in the form of various surface use agreements and mining/mineral leases with terms that the Company may seek to extend from time to time. The private land ownership ranges from 49.2% to 100% yielding a net interest of approximately 20,657 acres (8,360 hectares) of subsurface mineral rights for the private lands within the Railroad-Pinion Project. The Company is pursuing the minority interest in certain key private land parcels where it holds less than a 100% interest.

Portions of the patented, unpatented and private lands are encumbered with royalties predominantly in the form of standard Net (or Gross) Smelter Return (“NSR”) agreements or Net Profit Interest (“NPI”) agreements which the Company has sought to negotiate and reduce over time. See Item 6 “MATERIAL MINERAL PROJECT” in the 2018 AIF and the Financial Statements for a discussion of the currently active NSR and NPI encumbrances on the Railroad–Pinion Project.

Note regarding Acreage Disclosure

In this MD&A, the term “gross mineral acres” or “gross acres” in connection with a mineral interest means the total size in number of acres of the property (or a specific piece of property) in which the Company controls a mineral interest. The gross mineral acres are the maximum amount of mineral acres the Company could potentially control in a particular piece of property. For example, if the Company leases a fifty percent (50%) mineral interest in a fee land parcel that is a total of 640 acres in size, then that particular parcel is 640 gross mineral acres.

On the other hand, the term “net mineral acres” or “net acres” means the product of: (a) the total gross acres of the property (or specific piece of property) in which the Company controls a mineral interest; and (b) the percentage of the Company’s mineral interest therein which it controls by way of lease or actual ownership. For example, if the Company leases a fifty percent (50%) mineral interest in a fee land parcel that is a total of 640 acres in size, then the Company controls a total of 320 net mineral acres in that particular parcel. For the calculation of the gross and net mineral acreage for its properties, the Company does not include the surface in split estate fee land parcels.

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Material Projects

The Company has identified its North Bullion Deposit, its Dark Star Deposit and its Pinion Deposit, which together form the Railroad-Pinion Project, as the Company’s material mineral project for purposes of NI 43-101.

Scientific and technical disclosure for the Railroad-Pinion Project is supported by the amended and restated technical report with an effective date of September 15, 2017, entitled “Technical Report Maiden Resource Estimate North Bullion and Railroad Project, Elko County, Nevada, USA – Amended and Restated” and prepared by Michael B. Dufresne, M.Sc., P.Geol., P.Geo. and Steven J. Nicholls, BA.Sc., MAIG of APEX Geoscience Ltd., qualified persons for the purposes of NI 43-101 (the “Railroad-Pinion Technical Report”). The Railroad-Pinion Technical Report was amended and restated to clarify certain of its contents and was filed on SEDAR on February 19, 2018. It can be accessed at www.sedar.com under the Company’s profile. The Railroad-Pinion Technical Report is the Company’s current technical report for the Railroad-Pinion Project.

The Company has focused on drilling and other exploration activities with the goal of preparing mineral resource estimates for each deposit, as summarized below and detailed in the Railroad-Pinion Technical Report. The Company plans additional drilling and exploration activities to investigate potential development opportunities for the Railroad-Pinion Project and potentially prepare a PFS for the Railroad-Pinion Project.

The Company previously announced its intention to prepare a Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) for the Railroad-Pinion Project, however the results of infill drilling completed in 2018, along with ongoing analysis and studies, indicate the potential to convert certain mineral resources previously classified as Inferred to Indicated or Measured. Additionally, elements of the initially considered PEA have been conducted to a higher technical standard suitable for a PFS and, accordingly, the Company is working toward a PFS.

Pinion

A total of 505 drill holes guided the geological interpretation and estimation of the Pinion Deposit mineral resource. This total comprises 24 diamond drill holes and 481 reverse circulation (“RC”) drill holes that were completed from 1981 to 2015 with spacing between drill holes varying from 1 m to 1.25 kilometers.

The mineral resource estimate for the Pinion Deposit is reported at a range of gold cut-off grades, from 0.1–1.0 grams per tonne (“g/t”), for both Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource categories, as defined according to Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum definition standards, for gold and silver, respectively. For reporting purposes, the mineral resource estimate was constrained within an optimized pit shell using a gold cut-off grade of 0.14 g/t Au. The Pinion Deposit mineral resource estimate comprises an Indicated Mineral Resource of 31.61 million tonnes averaging 0.62 g/t Au, representing a total of 630,300 contained ounces of gold, and an additional Inferred Mineral Resource of 61.08 million tonnes averaging 0.55 g/t Au, representing a further 1,081,300 ounces of gold. The Pinion Deposit silver (“Ag”) resource estimate was constrained to the gold block model and was classified entirely as an Inferred Mineral Resource. The Pinion silver Inferred Mineral Resource comprises 92.69 million tonnes averaging 4.16 g/t Ag, representing a total of 12,401,600 contained ounces of silver. All reported resources include only oxidized mineralization.

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Dark Star

A maiden mineral resource estimate was calculated in early 2015 for the Dark Star Deposit area prior to the initiation and completion of the 2015 drilling campaign. Based upon positive results from the 2016 Phase 2 drilling at the Dark Star Deposit, an updated mineral resource was calculated in 2017. The 2017 updated mineral resource estimate, with an effective date of June 29, 2017, comprises an Indicated Mineral Resource of 15.38 million tonnes grading 0.54 g/t Au, totalling 265,100 ounces of gold, and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 17.05 million tonnes grading 1.31 g/t Au, totaling 715,800 ounces of gold, using a lower cut-off grade of 0.20 g/t Au.

North Bullion

Based upon historic drilling and drilling from 2010 to 2017, a maiden mineral resource estimate was presented for the North Bullion Deposit as of September 15, 2017.

The Sweet Hollow and POD oxide Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource uses a cut-off grade of 0.14 g/t Au, which is constrained within an optimized pit shell and includes an Indicated Mineral Resource of 2.92 million tonnes at 0.96 g/t Au for 90,100 ounces of gold and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 3.36 million tonnes at 0.43 g/t Au for 46,600 ounces of gold. The North Bullion, Sweet Hollow and POD sulphide Inferred Mineral Resource uses a cut-off grade of 1.25 g/t Au, which is constrained within an optimized pit shell, and is comprised of 2.05 million tonnes at 2.60 g/t Au for 171,400 ounces of gold. The North Bullion underground Inferred Mineral Resource, which is reported at a lower 2.25 g/t Au cut-off grade, comprises 5.55 million tonnes at 3.29 g/t Au for 587,700 ounces of gold.

Calculations of mineral resources and reserves are only estimates

Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves. Mineral Resources which are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. There has been insufficient exploration to define the Inferred Mineral Resources disclosed above as an Indicated or Measured Mineral Resource; however, it is reasonably expected that the majority of the Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration. There is no guarantee that any part of the mineral resources discussed herein will be converted into a Mineral Reserve in the future.

Recommendations for the Railroad-Pinion Project

Based upon the results to date, the authors of the Railroad-Pinion Technical Report recommended an aggressive exploration program for the Railroad-Pinion Project area involving surface exploration, additional exploration drilling, resource expansion and infill drilling, along with continued metallurgical test work.

The authors recommended a total of 11,280 meters (“m”) (37,000 feet) of RC and core drilling for the Railroad-Pinion Project area for a total cost of US$2,800,000 for 2017-2018. In addition, a total of 37,520 meters (123,100 feet) was recommended for the Pinion Deposit area in 2017-2018 at an additional estimated cost of US$8,287,000. In addition to the drilling, other recommended exploration activities at the Railroad–Pinion Project include geological mapping, geochemical sampling, and ground geophysical surveys (controlled source audio-frequency magnetotellurics, gravity and seismic) as well as a number of metallurgical, engineering and environmental studies. The estimated cost to conduct the proposed property wide exploration activities over the entire Railroad–Pinion Project area was US$5,220,000. The recommended drilling at the Railroad-Pinion Project along with other geological, geophysical, engineering and environmental studies and a contingency of ~7 % yields an overall budget to complete the recommended work of US$17,450,000.

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The Company incorporated these recommendations into its activities at the Railroad-Pinion Project to date, and for its 2018 work plan. See “Overall Performance - Exploration and Acquisition Expenditures” below. In 2018, the Company undertook a US$25.8 million exploration and development program on the Railroad-Pinion Project (the “2018 Exploration and Development Program”). The 2018 Exploration and Development Program objectives were as follows:

(1) infill and development drilling at the Dark Star Deposit and Pinion Deposit to reduce drill spacing to approximately 30m and convert mineral resources to the Measured and Indicated categories;

(2) exploration drilling at the Jasperoid Wash deposit (the “Jasperoid Wash Deposit”) to reduce drill spacings and provide requisite data for a maiden mineral resource estimate by the end of 2018; and

(3) drilling to test new high-value targets at the Dixie deposit (the “Dixie Deposit”), the Dark Star Corridor, Ski Track and elsewhere within the Railroad District.

On September 20, 2018, the Company announced an expanded exploration and development plan of US$2 million for the remainder of 2018. The expanded exploration and development plan included 1) drill testing three new exploration targets; 2) further step out drilling at the Dark Star Deposit; 3) further step out drilling at the Jasperoid Wash Deposit; 4) completing the Dark Star Deposit and the Pinion Deposit resource updates in support of economic studies; and 5) expansion of development activities at the Dark Star Deposit and the Pinion Deposit.

The Company continues to gather information, and analyze and interpret such information, in order to investigate potential development opportunities for the Railroad-Pinion Project and is working toward a PFS for the Railroad-Pinion Project.

Q1 Developments

In the first quarter of 2019, the Company completed its 2019 Phase 1 program, which included completion of 10,729m of drilling in 71 RC holes and 231m in one core hole. The program was designed to test new targets at depth below the current resource model, and lateral resource expansion opportunities adjacent to the current Dark Star resource. The 2019 program also infilled the current resource to approximately 30m drill spacings for conversion to measured and indicated classification necessary for reserve estimation.

On January 22, 2019, the Company announced the continuation of step-out and infill drilling at the Dark Star Deposit.

Key Highlights from the drilling included:

  • 3 RC rigs were active on-site testing the following targets: 1) in the northern portion of Dark Star, potential continued expansion to the north, west and at depth of the current Dark Star resource. Drilling will offset 2018 drill holes DR18-99 (56.4m of 2.94 g Au/t, including 16.8m of 8.67 g Au/t, and DR18- 109 (33.5m of 2.33 g Au/t, including 15.2m of 4.24 g Au/t) (see August 24, 2018 and November 15, 2018 news releases; and 2) in the southern portion of Dark Star, a new shallow oxide target that remains open to the south and southeast.

  • In the southern portion of Dark Star, core hole DC18-24 intersected 35.7m of 0.60 g Au/t, including 10.5m of 1.28 g Au/t. Oxide mineralization begins at the current topographic surface and is open to the south. DC18-24, continues to expand the near surface mineralization found in previously released DC18-18 (September 24, 2018 returning 15.2m of 0.38 g Au/t) and DC18-23 (November 15, 2018 yielding 45.1m of 1.16 g Au/t). Collectively, these new holes are coincident with a previously undrilled surface rock chip anomaly south of the known deposit.

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  • DC18-10, and DC18-12 were geotechnical core holes drilled away from the resource into the proposed west and east highwalls, to confirm geotechnical slope parameters in the proposed open pit highwall.
    Gold mineralization was not expected in these drill holes. Nonetheless, DC18-10 intersected 29.6m of 0.26 g Au/t of oxide mineralization and ended at 198.1m in 1.08 g Au/t.

On February 5, 2019, the Company reported more oxide results from 11 RC holes and one core hole at the Dark Star Deposit.

Key Highlights from the drilling included:

  • In the northern portion of Dark Star, RC hole DR18-117 intersected an oxidized interval of 77.7m of 0.90 g Au/t, including 42.7m of 1.26 g Au/t. This new step out intercept is approximately 30m west of DS17-37 (141.8m of 3.32 g Au/t announced January 23, 2018) where mineralization remains open to the south. Due to poor drilling conditions, the hole ended at 231.7m in 0.41 g Au/t before testing the entire target.

  • Also, in the northern portion of Dark Star, DR18-113 intersected 18.3m of 0.34 g Au/t. Oxide mineralization in this northern step out hole remains open to the north and west.

  • Results from the 2018 Dark Star development program continue to reveal a robust, vertically and laterally-extensive oxide gold system on the north end of the deposit that, at depth, transitions into higher-grade sulfide gold mineralization. Unique geologic patterns associated with Dark Star include deep oxidation; multilithic hydrothermal breccias; and the intersection of north-, west northwest- and northeast-striking faults. Based on 2D seismic interpretations, these geologic patterns occur in the near-surface environment above a buried and untested anticline. The Company now believes that deeper, lower plate carbonate hosted gold targets are likely to occur in this favorable structural setting beneath the Dark Star Deposit, similar to the structural setting in the Carlin North Area. Drill testing of these deeper targets will be one focus of the 2019 program.

  • DC18-14 was a geotechnical core hole drilled away from the resource into the proposed east highwall, to confirm geotechnical parameters in the proposed open pit highwall. The hole intersected 33.5m of 0.29 g Au/t of oxide mineralization beginning at the current topographic surface.

  • DR18-107, -108, -111 and -112 were environmental monitoring holes completed west of the deposit. Mineralization was not expected in these drill holes; however, DR18-108 intersected a reduced intercept of 7.6m of 2.43 g Au/t.

  • In the current 2019 program, 3 drill rigs operating at Dark Star have completed 6,970m of drilling in 47 holes. These holes are testing new targets at depth below the current resource model, and lateral resource expansion to the north, west and south of the current Dark Star resource. The 2019 program will infill the current resource to approximately 30m drill spacings for conversion to measured and inferred classification.

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On February 12, 2019, the Company reported Phase 2 results from 18 RC drill holes and one core hole at the Dixie Deposit and the Arcturus target.

Key Highlights from the drilling included:

  • DX18-19 intersected 118.9m of 0.61 g Au/t, including two higher-grade zones of 10.7m of 1.49 g Au/t and 15.2m of 1.32 g Au/t in favorable Penn-Perm debris flow conglomerate and calcarenite.
    Mineralization occurs in the immediate footwall of a quartz porphyry dike-filled fault corridor. DX18- 19 along with DX18-26 (this release – see below) and DX18-06 (67.1m of 1.05 g Au/t – see June 13, 2018 news release) confirm the vertical and lateral continuity of the gold mineralization, with locally higher-grade intervals exceeding 1.0 g Au/t.

  • DX18-26 intersected 137.2m of 0.53 g Au/t including 9.1m of 1.26 g Au/t and 6.1m of 1.02 g Au/t, approximately 100m south of DX18-19. Mineralization remains open along strike.

  • DX18-24 intersected 18.3m of 0.92 g Au/t, including 9.1m of 1.29 g Au/t, in favorable Penn-Perm calcarenite west of DX18-26. Shallow mineralization occurs proximal to quartz porphyry dikes and begins within 90m of the current topographic surface.

  • On the north end of the Dixie Deposit, DX18-21 intersected 65.5m of 0.39 g Au/t, including 9.1m of 1.14 g Au/t in favorable Penn-Perm debris flow conglomerate and calcarenite. Gold mineralization begins approximately 80m below the current topographic surface.

  • Visual logging of the RC cuttings indicates that the thickness and intensity of oxidation increase to the north. AuCN test results indicate the significant drill intercepts are comprised of zones of both oxide and reduced mineralization. AuCN ratios are a first-pass estimate of the potential gold recovery and ratios >60% are indicative of oxide material. Further metallurgical work is required.

  • Five holes (DX18-14, -15, -16, -17 and -22) were completed into the new Arcturus target, approximately 750m west of the Dixie Deposit. These are the first holes testing a large area of alteration and favorable structure. No significant results were reported.

On February 21, 2019, the Company reported Phase 2 results from 19 RC holes and 2 core holes at the Jasperoid Wash Deposit.

Key Highlights from the drilling included:

  • Core hole JW18-30 intersected 27.7m of 0.86 g Au/t, including 4.9m of 1.12 g Au/t and 12.2m of 1.17 g Au/t. The hole confirmed the down-dip continuity of mineralization intersected in JW18-01 (see July 26, 2018 news release). Material from this hole will be used for column leach testing.

  • Step out hole JW18-37 intersected 25.9m of 0.69 g Au/t, including 6.1m of 1.10 g Au/t, of near-surface oxide mineralization. This intercept is approximately 80m north of drill holes JW18-26 (22.9m of 0.76 g Au/t, including 10.7m of 1.15 g Au/t) and JW18-28 (38.1m of 0.63 g Au/t, including 15.2m of 1.23 g Au/t) (see July 26, 2018 news release). These oxide intercepts begin at or near the current topographic surface.

  • JW18-29, a core twin of RC hole JW18-16 (27.4m of 0.25 g Au/t - announced on July 26, 2018), intersected 53.2m of 0.31 g Au/t in the central portion of the deposit. Oxide mineralization begins at the current topographic surface and the intercept is thicker and higher-grade than the JW18-16 intercept. Mineralized material from this hole will be used for column leach testing.

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  • On the northernmost end of the Jasperoid Wash Deposit, step out drill holes JW18-47 and -48 intersected oxide mineralization beginning at the current topographic surface. These intercepts extend the strike length of the deposit approximately 550m to the north of drill holes JW18-26 (22.9m of 0.76 g Au/t) and JW18-28 (38.1m of 0.63 g Au/t) where mineralization also begins at or near the current topographic surface (see July 26, 2018 news release). Mineralization remains open for additional expansion.

  • On the southern end of the Jasperoid Wash Deposit, drill holes JW18-38, -40, -41, -43 and -44 intersected shallow oxide gold mineralization that extends the Jasperoid Wash Deposit to the south and southeast. Oxide mineralization begins at or near the current topographic surface, and remains open to the east and south.

  • Drilling has outlined a zone of near-surface, oxide gold mineralization measuring approximately 1,575m long (striking north-northeast) by 650m wide (east-west). The 49 holes completed in 2018 continue to establish lateral and strike continuity of the near-surface oxide mineralization which remains open in multiple directions.

  • AuCN test results indicate the significant drill intercepts are comprised of zones of both oxide and reduced mineralization. AuCN ratios are a first-pass estimate of the potential gold recovery and ratios >60% are indicative of oxide material. Further metallurgical work is required.

On March 4, 2019, the Company reported more oxide results from 37 RC holes at the Dark Star Deposit.

Key Highlights from the drilling included:

  • 11 infill holes on the east side of the Dark Star Deposit confirm thick zones of oxide mineralization beginning at the current topographic surface. Noteworthy intercepts include: 51.8m of 0.73 g Au/t, including 13.7m of 1.58 g Au/t in DR19-37; 42.7m of 0.50 g Au/t, including 6.1m of 1.15 g Au/t in DR19-46; and 62.5m of 0.40 g Au/t, including 7.6m of 1.04 g Au/t in DR19-52. These results either confirm or slightly improve upon the current resource block model.

  • Four infill holes (DR19-08, -09, -23 and -24), in the core of the southern portion of Dark Star, confirmed higher-grade, near-surface oxide mineralization in the current resource block model.
    Intercepts include 103.7m of 0.59 g Au/t, including 19.8m of 1.32 g Au/t in DR19-08; 89.9m of 0.77 g Au/t, including 29.0m of 1.53 g Au/t in DR19-23; and 80.8m of 1.02 g Au/t, including 13.7m of 1.35 g Au/t and 15.2m of 1.80 g Au/t in DR19-24.

  • On the far south end of the Dark Star Deposit, step out hole DR19-38 intersected 13.7m of 0.95 g Au/t starting at the current topographic surface. This oxide mineralization remains open to the south for further resource expansion.

  • On the west side, step out drill holes DR19-05 and DR19-20 extend near-surface oxide mineralization to the west of DC18-18 (15.2m of 0.38 g Au/t, see 9-24-18 news release). This oxide mineralization also remains open for further resource expansion.

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On March 26, 2019, the Company reported more oxide gold results from 30 RC infill and step out holes at the Dark Star Deposit.

Key Highlights from the drilling included:

  • In the northern portion of the Dark Star Deposit, two step out holes intersected thick zones of oxide mineralization including: 22.9m of 1.92 g Au/t, including 13.7m of 3.04 g Au/t in DR19-15; and 51.8m of 1.07 g Au/t, including 16.8m of 2.58 g Au/t in DR19-26. These holes extend oxide mineralization approximately 50m north of DR18-110, which intersected 109.7m of 1.00 g Au/t including 24.4m of 2.05 g Au/t (see November 15, 2018 news release). Mineralization remains open to the north and northwest for resource expansion.

  • In the southeastern portion of the Dark Star Deposit, nine infill and step out holes (DR19-49, -55, -57, -58, -59, -64, -65, -70, -71) intersected thick intervals of oxide mineralization that begin at or near the current topographic surface. Drill intercepts either confirm or exceed the current resource block model for grade and thickness. Significant intercepts include: 88.4m of 0.61 g Au/t in DR19-57; 54.9m of 0.85 g Au/t, including 13.7m of 2.06 g Au/t in DR19-58; 39.6m of 1.25 g Au/t, including 15.2m of 2.02 g Au/t in DR19-65; 33.5m of 0.70 g Au/t, including 6.1m of 1.25 g Au/t in DR19-70; and 62.5m of 0.86 g Au/t, including 18.3m of 1.38 g Au/t in DR19-71. Mineralization remains open to the east and south for resource expansion.

  • In the central portion of the Dark Star Deposit, infill holes DR19-01, -06, -60 and -62 indicate that oxide mineralization is more continuous then previously modeled along the northwest-striking Saddle Fault. Additional infill and step out drilling will be required in this portion of the resource.

Recent Developments

On April 25, 2019, the Company reported final drill results from its 2019 Phase 1 drilling at Dark Star Deposit.

Key Highlights from the drilling included:

  • In the northern portion of the Dark Star Deposit, two RC holes intersected thick zones of oxide mineralization including: 138.7m of 1.12 g Au/t, including 38.1 m of 2.61 g Au/t in DR19-73; and 65.5m of 1.33g Au/t, including 30.5m of 1.80 g Au/t in DR19-74. The RC holes stepped out north from mineralization intersected in DR18-110, which intersected 109.7m of 1.00 g Au/t including 24.4m of 2.05 g Au/t (see November 15, 2018 news release) and are approximately 25m south of DR19-26, which intersected 51.8m of 1.07 g Au/t, including 16.8m of 2.58 g Au/t; and DR19-15 which intersected 22.9m of 1.92 g Au/t, including 13.7m of 3.04 g Au/t (see March 26, 2019 news release). Mineralization remains open to the north of DR19-15 and DR19-26 for resource expansion.

  • Additionally, core hole DC19-01, which was suspended at 231m, confirmed higher grade oxide mineralization with 117.3m of 1.54 g Au/t, including 44.3m of 2.55 g Au/t. Drilling was suspended in grade due to weather conditions and will be re-entered during Phase 2 drilling at Dark Star this summer. This hole is targeting the Ridgeline/IDK Fault corridor at depth, with a target of 460m.

  • Two monitoring wells (DR19-30 and MW19-01) external to the Dark Star Deposit were completed during Phase 1 for permitting purposes. As expected, these holes did not contain significant mineralization.

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  • Initial exploration drilling on several high value targets is slated to begin on the Railroad-Pinion Project in late May. This includes:

    • exploration at North Dark Star for a deep sulfide feeder along the Ridgeline-IDK corridor and to the north under cover;

    • exploration along the Dark Star Corridor including Dixie and the newly defined Hidden Star target;

    • continued exploration in favorable Penn-Perm rocks at Jasperoid Wash, along strike of the current deposit and further drill testing along the newly identified feeder structure that has the possibility of higher gold grades, and has similarities to the high-grade feeder structures found at the North Dark Star deposit; and

    • initial exploration at LT (Pinion type) and Penn-Perm rocks along the Ski Track Corridor, where high-grade surface samples have been taken and where CSAMT has identified possible controlling structures and alteration at shallow depths.

The scientific and technical content and interpretations contained in this MD&A have been reviewed and approved by Steven R. Koehler, Gold Standard’s Manager of Projects, BSc. Geology, CPG-10216, and a “qualified person” as defined by NI 43-101.

Exploration and Acquisition Expenditures

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company incurred $7,971,581 (March 31, 2018 -$9,020,454) in acquisition and deferred exploration and development costs. Expenditures in the three months ended March 31, 2018 included a payment of $4,427,850 for the NSR Buy-Down (as defined below).

The following is a breakdown of the material components of the Company’s exploration and evaluation asset additions for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

  Railroad-            
  Pinion   Lewis Gold      
  Project   Project   Total
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 $   $   $
Exploration expenses                

Consulting

516,190     15,215     531,405  

Drilling

3,069,165     466,282     3,535,447  

Engineering

454     5,153     5,607  

Environmental and permitting

216,780     3,111     219,891  

Equipment rental

29,696     -     29,696  

Geological

25,341     -     25,341  

Geotechnical

16,927     -     16,927  

Hydrology

348,363     -     348,363  

Lease payments

201,099     -     201,099  

Metallurgy

817,544     -     817,544  

Preliminary economic assessment

99,817     -     99,817  

Sampling and processing

260,117     533     260,650  

Site development and reclamation

1,594,858     95,840     1,690,698  

Supplies

188,245     851     189,096  
  7,384,596     586,985     7,971,581  

 

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  Railroad-            
  Pinion   Lewis Gold      
  Project   Project   Total
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 $   $   $
Property acquisition and staking costs 1,638     -     1,638  
NSR Buy-Down (1) 4,427,850     -     4,427,850  
Exploration expenses                

Claim maintenance fees

2,206     -     2,206  

Consulting

520,784     66,451     587,235  

Data Analysis

19,272     11,514     30,786  

Drilling

1,622,500     172,596     1,795,096  

Environmental and permitting

80,669     -     80,669  

Equipment rental

23,560     -     23,560  

Geological

111,964     17,455     129,419  

Lease payments

184,225     -     184,225  

Metallurgy

80,788     -     80,788  

Preliminary economic assessment

17,005     -     17,005  

Sampling and processing

323,903     78,052     401,955  

Site development and reclamation

1,069,589     11,786     1,081,375  

Supplies

176,647     -     176,647  
  8,662,600     357,854     9,020,454  

 

(1)     

On March 23, 2018, the Company exercised its NSR buy-down option under its lease agreement with Pereira Family, LLC (“Pereira”) to reduce an NSR royalty from five percent (5%) to two percent (2%), by making a lump-sum payment of US$3.5 million to Pereira (the “NSR Buy-Down”).

 

 
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The total cumulative acquisition and exploration costs of the Company to March 31, 2019 are summarized as follows:

  Railroad-   Lewis Gold      
  Pinion Project   Project   Total
  $   $   $
Property acquisition and staking costs 17,644,831     35,745,391     53,390,222  
NSR buy-down 4,427,850     -     4,427,850  
Exploration expenses                

Claim maintenance fees

1,749,363     160,666     1,910,029  

Consulting

14,283,839     331,619     14,615,458  

Data analysis/geological

5,147,358     85,593     5,232,951  

Drilling/site development

99,597,645     2,293,715     101,891,360  

Engineering

135,281     -     135,281  

Environmental

896,448     9,802     906,250  

Geotechnical

671,614     -     671,614  

Hydrology

1,279,093     -     1,279,093  

Lease payments

8,831,505     228,347     9,059,852  

Legal fees for property acquisition

10,412     -     10,412  

Metallurgy

2,878,631     -     2,878,631  

Preliminary economic assessment

679,043     -     679,043  

Provision for site reclamation

946,010     -     946,010  

Sampling and processing

5,817,973     110,689     5,928,662  

Travel

469,491     -     469,491  

Vehicle

206,082     -     206,082  
Cumulative acquisition and exploration costs at March 31, 2019 165,676,468     38,965,822     204,638,290  

Corporate Activities

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company granted a total of 1,871,424 stock options exercisable for periods of five years at a weighted average price of $1.73 per share to directors, executive officers, employees and consultants of the Company. In addition, the Company granted 664,730 restricted share units to executive officers and directors of the Company. The Company also received total proceeds of $88,400 from the exercise of 120,000 stock options and 50,000 stock options expired unexercised.

As at March 31, 2019, the Company had a cash position of $11,178,424 and working capital of $7,223,066.

See “Liquidity, Financial Position and Capital Resources” below.

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Selected Quarterly Information

All financial information in this MD&A has been prepared in accordance with IFRS.

The following financial data is derived from the Financial Statements:

  For the three months ended March 31,
  2019 2018
  $ $
Interest income 50,749   57,488  
General and administrative expenses 2,835,737   2,616,057  
Loss and comprehensive loss 2,784,988   2,626,972  
Basic and diluted loss per common share (0.01 ) (0.01 )
         
  As at March 31,
  2019 2018
  $ $
Working capital 7,223,066   44,532,846  
Exploration and evaluation assets 204,638,290   163,456,329  
Total assets 219,762,691   212,254,953  
Total liabilities 6,161,495   2,503,136  

The Company’s mineral projects are in the exploration stage and, to date, the Company has not generated any revenues other than interest income. As at March 31, 2019, the Company had not yet achieved profitable operations and has accumulated losses of $66,580,474 (December 31, 2018 - $63,856,702) since inception. These losses resulted in a net loss per share (basic and diluted) for the three months ended March 31, 2019 of $0.01 (March 31, 2018 - $0.01).

Results of Operations

As an exploration company, the Company has yet to generate any revenue from its planned operations and has, to date, incurred annual net losses from operating and administrative expenses.

Operating and Administrative Expenses

The Company’s operating and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 totalled $2,835,737 (March 31, 2018 - $2,616,057), including share-based compensation incurred during the period, valued at $1,118,021 (March 31, 2018 - $1,345,343) calculated using the Black Scholes option pricing model.

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The following tables detail changes in major expenditures between the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 compared to March 31, 2018

Expenses Increase / Decrease in Explanation for Change
  Expenses  
Consulting fees Decrease of $89,338 Decreased due to fewer marketing and financial advisory consultants engaged.
Professional fees Decrease of $37,191 Decreased due to lower legal fees and decreased corporate activities.
Rent Decrease of $80,699 Decrease due to change of accounting policy. (See “Changes in Accounting Policies including Initial Adoption” below).
Share-based compensation Decrease of $227,322 Value of stock options and restricted share units vested in the first quarter of 2019 is lower than the comparative period.

Summary of Quarterly Results

The following selected quarterly consolidated financial information is derived from the financial statements of the Company.

  1st Quarter 4th Quarter 3rd Quarter 2nd Quarter
Three months ended Mar 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Sep 30, 2018 Jun 30, 2018
  $ $ $ $
Interest income 50,749   83,643   96,555   159,472  
Loss and comprehensive loss (2,835,737 ) (2,348,464 ) (2,700,039 ) (2,563,435 )
Loss per share-basic and diluted (0.01 ) (0.01 ) (0.01 ) (0.01 )
  1st Quarter 4th Quarter 3rd Quarter 2nd Quarter
Three months ended Mar 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017 Sep 30, 2017 Jun 30, 2017
  $ $ $ $
Interest income 57,488   54,854   76,264   89,556  
Loss and comprehensive loss (2,626,972 ) (2,855,446 ) (4,395,238 ) (2,705,640 )
Loss per share-basic and diluted (0.01 ) (0.01 ) (0.02 ) (0.01 )

Variances quarter over quarter can be explained as follows:

  • In the quarters ended June 30, 2017, September 30, 2017, September 30, 2018, and March 31, 2019, the Company recorded a foreign exchange loss of $302,040, $496,327, $197,763, and $162,765 respectively, due to the weakening of the U.S. dollar in those periods.

  • In the quarters ended March 31, 2018, June 30, 2018, and December 31, 2018, the Company recorded a foreign exchange gain of $372,821, $222,448, and $323,344, respectively, due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar in those periods.

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  • In the quarter ended September 30, 2017, the Company agreed to pay a total termination payment of $384,902 to the former Corporate Secretary and director in accordance with the terms and conditions of his consulting agreement with the Company.

Liquidity, Financial Position and Capital Resources

To date, the Company has established mineral resources at the Pinion Deposit, the Dark Star Deposit, and the North Bullion Deposit (see “Overall Performance” above) but is not in commercial production on any portion of the Railroad-Pinion Project or the Lewis Gold Project. Accordingly, the Company does not generate cash from operations. The Company finances its exploration activities by raising capital from equity markets from time to time.

As at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company’s liquidity and capital resources were as follows:

  March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
  $ $
Cash 11,178,424   18,333,732  
Receivables 47,640   34,692  
Prepaid expenses 471,416   489,902  
Total current assets 11,697,480   18,858,326  
Payables and accrued liabilities 4,333,209   1,950,222  
Current portion of lease liabilities 141,205   -  
Working capital 7,223,066   16,908,104  

The Company’s operations consist primarily of the acquisition, maintenance and exploration of exploration and evaluation assets, including seeking joint venture partners to assist with exploration funding. The Company’s financial success will be dependent on the extent to which it can discover new and expand its current mineral deposits.

As at March 31, 2019, the Company had a cash position of $11,178,424 (December 31, 2018 - $18,333,732) derived from the net proceeds of the 2018 financings and the exercise of stock options. As at March 31, 2019, the Company’s working capital was $7,223,066 (December 31, 2018 – $16,908,104).

The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon successful results from its exploration and evaluation activities and its ability to attain profitable operations and generate funds therefrom and/or raise equity capital or borrowings sufficient to meet current and future obligations. Management believes it currently has sufficient cash on hand to maintain its projects and finance its operating costs over the next 6 months, after which time the Company will require additional capital to carry out further exploration on the Railroad-Pinion Project and maintain operations. The Company’s ability to arrange financing in the future will depend, in part, upon the prevailing capital market conditions and the price of gold as well as its business performance. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in its efforts to arrange additional financing on terms satisfactory to it or at all. If the Company raises additional financing through the issuance of shares from its treasury, control of the Company may change and existing shareholders will suffer additional dilution. See “Risks and Uncertainties” below.

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Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company has no off balance sheet arrangements.

Commitments

As at the date of this MD&A, the Company has the following commitments:

1.     

The Company has a lease agreement for an office space in Vancouver, B.C. expiring on April 30, 2020, incurring monthly rent payments of approximately $6,000 to the year 2020.

 

 
2.     

The Company has a lease agreement for a property in Elko, Nevada expiring on August 28, 2022 and incurring minimum monthly rent payments from US$8,000 in 2017 increasing to US$10,000 in 2022. The Company has an option to purchase the property for US$1,100,000 with a credit to be applied to the purchase price based on a percentage of the minimum rent payments made in the year of purchase.

 

 
3.     

The Company has two separate consulting agreements with the CEO & director and the CFO of the Company to provide management and other consulting services to the Company for an indefinite term. The agreements require total combined payments of $50,750 per month. The consulting agreements provide for a two-year payout totalling, on a collective basis, of approximately $1.7 million (including average discretionary bonuses paid in the preceding two years) in the event of termination without cause and a three-year payout totalling, on a collective basis, (including average discretionary bonuses paid in the preceding two years) of approximately $2.6 million in the event of termination following a change in control of the Company.

 

 
4.     

The Company has two separate employment agreements with the Chief Geologist and the Manager of Projects of the Company to provide exploration services to the Company for an indefinite term. The agreements require total combined payments of US$32,167 per month. The employment agreements provide for a two-year payout totalling, on a collective basis, of approximately US$1.0 million (including average discretionary bonuses paid in the preceding two years) in the event of termination following a change in control of the Company.

 

 

5.     

The Company has an employment agreement with the Vice President - General Counsel & Corporate Secretary of the Company to provide corporate secretarial and legal services to the Company for an indefinite term. The agreement requires a payment of $19,167 per month. The employment agreement provides for a two-year payout totalling approximately $0.8 million (including average discretionary bonuses paid in the preceding two years not less than 70% of annual base salary) in the event of termination without cause and in the event of termination following a change in control of the Company.

 

 
6.     

Pursuant to various mining leases and agreements, the Company’s estimated exploration and evaluation assets lease obligations, work commitments, and tax levies for the Railroad-Pinion Project for the remainder of 2019 are approximately US$1,318,000. See Item 4 “GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS – Mineral Property” and Item 6 “MATERIAL MINERAL PROJECT” of the 2018 AIF and the 2018 Annual Financial Statements for further details regarding the various lease payments and other obligations required by the Company to maintain the Railroad-Pinion Project in good standing.

 

 

7.     

The Company’s estimated exploration and evaluation asset lease obligations and tax levies for fiscal 2019 for the Lewis Gold Project are approximately US$153,000.

 

 
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There were no material changes during the three months ended March 31, 2019 to the Company’s contractual obligations for the next five years and thereafter as disclosed in the summary table of contractual obligations as follows:

  Payments Due by Period
Contractual Obligations Total 2019 2020 to 2022 to After 2023
      2021 2023  
  $ $ $ $ $
Office Leases 593,050   160,004   326,246   106,800   -  
Consulting Agreements 1, 3 2,892,750   456,750   1,218,000   1,218,000   Ongoing  
Employment Agreements 2, 4, 5 3,357,595   530,147   1,413,724   1,413,724   Ongoing  
Mining leases and agreements5, 6 12,199,230   1,387,065   6,183,720   4,628,445   Ongoing  

 

(1)     

These amounts assume that consulting fees will remain constant at current levels and do not include any amount for discretionary annual bonuses.

(2)     

These amounts assume that salaries will remain constant at current levels and do not include any amount for discretionary annual bonuses.

(3)     

This amount represents the total fees payable under consulting agreements with officers and directors of the Company over the next five years.

(4)     

This amount represents the total salaries payable under employment agreements with certain key employees of the Company over the next five years.

(5)     

Where applicable, this amount has been converted from U.S. dollars to Canadian dollars using the noon exchange rate of the Bank of Canada on March 31, 2019 of US$1.00 = C$1.3350.

(6)     

Amounts shown for mining leases and agreements include estimates of option payments, mineral lease payments, work commitments and tax levies that are required to maintain the Company’s interest in the Railroad-Pinion Project and the Lewis Gold Project in good standing. See “Overall Performance”.

Related Party Transactions

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company engaged in the following transactions with related parties, not disclosed elsewhere in this MD&A:

  • Incurred management fees of $110,000 (March 31, 2018 - $110,000) to a company controlled by Jonathan Awde, a director and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. As at March 31, 2019, $nil (December 31, 2018 - $152,787) was included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

  • Incurred financial management fees of $42,250 (March 31, 2018 - $42,250) and professional fees of $57,621 (March 31, 2018 - $57,621) to a company controlled by Michael Waldkirch, Chief Financial Officer of the Company. As at March 31, 2019, $4,725 (December 31, 2018 - $90,671) was included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

  • Incurred administrative management fees of $57,500 (March 31, 2018 - $57,500) to Glenn Kumoi, Vice President - General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Company. As at March 31, 2019, $nil (December 31, 2018 - $53,244) was included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

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  • Incurred salary expense of $33,968 (March 31, 2018 - $nil), of which $28,873 (March 31, 2018 - $nil) was recorded as capitalized exploration and evaluation assets expenditures, to Donald Harris, the General Manager of the Company. As at March 31, 2019, $2,163 (December 31, 2018, $nil) was included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

  • Incurred directors fees of $9,000 (March 31, 2018 - $9,000) to a company controlled by Robert McLeod, a director of the Company.

  • Incurred directors fees of $10,500 (March 31, 2018 - $10,500) to Bruce McLeod, a director of the Company.

  • Incurred directors fees of $10,500 (March 31, 2018 - $10,500) to William E. Threlkeld, a director of the Company.

  • Incurred directors fees of $9,000 (March 31, 2018 - $9,000) to a company controlled by Jamie Strauss, a director of the Company.

  • Incurred directors fees of $10,500 (March 31, 2018 - $10,500) to Zara Boldt, a director of the Company.

  • Incurred directors fees of $10,500 (March 31, 2018 - $10,500) to Alex Morrison, a director of the Company.

  • Incurred directors fees of $10,500 (March 31, 2018 - $6,290) to Ron Clayton, a director of the Company.

  • Received rent payments of $4,500 (March 31, 2018 - $4,500) from Barksdale Capital Corp., a company related by way of common officers.

Summary of key management personnel compensation:

  For the three months ended March 31,
  2019   2018  
  $   $  
Management fees 280,250   276,040  
Professional fees 57,621   57,621  
Exploration and evaluation assets expenditures 28,873   60,219  
Wages and salaries 5,095   10,627  
Share-based compensation 764,376   779,999  
  1,136,215   1,184,506  

In accordance with International Accounting Standard (“IAS”) 24, key management personnel includes those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing, and controlling the activities of the Company as a whole. The Company has determined that key management personnel consists of members of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) and corporate officers, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

Risks and Uncertainties

The business and operations of the Company are subject to numerous risks, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. The Company considers the risks set out below to be some of the most significant to potential investors in the Company, but not all of the risks are associated with an investment in securities of the Company. If any of these risks materialize into actual events or circumstances or other possible additional risks and uncertainties of which the Company is currently unaware or which it considers to be material in

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relation to the Company’s business actually occur, the Company’s assets, liabilities, financial condition, results of operations (including future results of operations), business and business prospects, are likely to be materially and adversely affected. In such circumstances, the price of the Company’s securities could decline and investors may lose all or part of their investment.

Mineral exploration is subject to a high degree of risk, which even a combination of experience, knowledge and careful evaluation may fail to overcome. These risks may be even greater in the Company’s case given its formative stage of development and the fact that the Railroad-Pinion Project and the Lewis Gold Project are still at the exploration stage. Furthermore, exploration activities are expensive and seldom result in the discovery of a commercially viable resource. There is no assurance that the Company’s exploration will result in the discovery of an economically viable mineral deposit. The Company has generated losses to date and will require additional funds to further explore its properties. There is no assurance such additional funding will be available to the Company when needed on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Additional equity financing may result in substantial dilution thereby reducing the marketability of the Company’s shares. The Company’s activities are subject to the risks normally encountered in the mining exploration business. The economics of exploring, developing and operating resource properties are affected by many factors including the cost of exploration and development operations, variations of the grade of any ore mined and the rate of resource extraction and fluctuations in the price of resources produced, government regulations relating to royalties, taxes and environmental protection and title defects and the ability to maintain and extend leases on favourable terms. For the most part, the Railroad-Pinion Project and the Lewis Gold Project have not been surveyed and may be subject to prior unregistered agreements, interests or land claims and title may be affected by undetected defects. In addition, the Company may become subject to liability for hazards against which it is not insured. The mining industry is highly competitive in all its phases and the Company competes with other mining companies, many with greater financial and technical resources, in the search for, and the acquisition of, mineral resource properties, in the marketing of minerals and the search for experienced personnel. Additional risks include the limited market for the Company’s securities and the present intention of the Company not to pay dividends. Certain of the Company’s directors and officers also serve as directors or officers of other public and private resource companies, and to the extent that such other companies may participate in ventures in which the Company may participate, such directors and officers of the Company may have a conflict of interest.

The Company may lose its foreign private issuer status in the future, which could result in significant additional costs and expenses.

The Company is a foreign private issuer under applicable U.S. federal securities laws and, therefore, is not required to comply with all the periodic disclosure and current reporting requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the “U.S. Exchange Act”). As a result, the Company does not file the same reports that a U.S. domestic issuer files with the SEC, although the Company is required to file with or furnish to the SEC the continuous disclosure documents that the Company is required to file in Canada under Canadian securities laws. Further, the Company’s officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and “short swing” profit recovery rules of Section 16 of the U.S. Exchange Act. In addition, as a foreign private issuer, the Company is exempt from the proxy rules under the U.S. Exchange Act.

The Company could in the future lose its foreign private issuer status if a majority of its common shares are held by residents in the United States and it fails to continue to meet any one of the additional “business contacts” requirements. If the Company loses its status as a foreign private issuer measured on the last day of its second fiscal quarter (i.e., June 30), it would commence reporting on January 1 of the following year on forms required of U.S. companies, such as Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. These forms require more detailed and extensive disclosure than the disclosure required by the forms available to a foreign private issuer. The regulatory and compliance costs under U.S. federal securities laws as a U.S. domestic issuer, together with attendant management costs, may be significantly more than the costs incurred as a Canadian foreign private issuer eligible to use not only the disclosure system for foreign private issuers but also the multi-jurisdictional disclosure system (“MJDS”) implemented by the SEC and the securities regulatory authorities in Canada.

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Further, to the extent that the Company was to offer or sell its securities outside of the United States, the Company would have to comply with the more restrictive Regulation S requirements that apply to U.S. issuers and would no longer be able to use the MJDS forms for registered offerings by Canadian companies in the United States. This could limit the Company’s ability to access the capital markets in the future. In addition, the Company may lose the ability to rely upon certain exemptions from corporate governance requirements that are available to foreign private issuers. The Company would regain the foreign private issuer status upon re-meeting the eligibility requirements on the last day of its next second fiscal quarter.

The Company may be a “passive foreign investment company” for U.S. tax purposes which could subject U.S. shareholders to increased tax liability.

The Company believes that it was a passive foreign investment company for the taxation year ended December 31, 2018 and expects to be a passive foreign investment company for the taxation year ending December 31, 2019. The Company will be providing Qualified Electing Fund information. As a result, a U.S. holder of common shares could be subject to increased tax liability, possibly including an interest charge, upon the sale or other disposition of the United States holder’s common shares or upon the receipt of “excess distributions”. U.S. holders should consult with tax advisers with regard to their holdings of the Company’s shares.

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of risks, uncertainties and other factors is not exhaustive.

For a more detailed discussion of the risk factors affecting the Company and its exploration activities, please refer to the 2018 AIF which can be accessed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of the Financial Statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, as well as the reported revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Based on historical experience and current conditions, management makes assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. These estimates and assumptions form the basis for judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities and reported amounts for revenues and expenses. Different assumptions would result in different estimates, and actual results may differ from results based on these estimates. These estimates and assumptions are also affected by management’s application of accounting policies. Critical accounting estimates are those that affect the Financial Statements materially and involve a significant level of judgment by management.

Although management uses historical experience and its best knowledge of the amount, events or actions to form the basis for judgments and estimates, actual results may differ from these estimates.

The most significant accounts that require estimates and judgements as the basis for determining the stated amounts include the recoverability of exploration and evaluation assets, determination of functional currency, valuation of the acquisition of an associated company, valuation of share-based compensation, recognition of deferred tax amounts and reclamation provisions.

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Critical judgments exercised in applying accounting policies that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognized in the Financial Statements are as follows:

Economic recoverability and probability of future economic benefits of exploration and evaluation assets

Management has determined that exploration, evaluation, and related costs incurred which were capitalized may have future economic benefits and may be economically recoverable. Management uses several criteria in its assessments of economic recoverability and probability of future economic benefits including, geologic and other technical information, a history of conversion of mineral deposits with similar characteristics to its own properties to proven and probable mineral reserves, the quality and capacity of existing infrastructure facilities, evaluation of permitting and environmental issues and local support for the project.

Determination of functional currency

The Company determines the functional currency through an analysis of several indicators such as expenses and cash flow, financing activities, retention of operating cash flows, and frequency of transactions within the reporting entity.

Information about assumptions and estimation uncertainties that have a significant risk of resulting in material adjustments are as follows:

Valuation of share-based compensation

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model for valuation of share-based compensation. Option pricing models require the input of subjective assumptions including expected price volatility, risk-free interest rate, and forfeiture rate. Changes in the input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate and the Company’s earnings and equity reserves.

Income taxes

In assessing the probability of realizing income tax assets, management makes estimates related to expectation of future taxable income, applicable tax opportunities, expected timing of reversals of existing temporary differences and the likelihood that tax positions taken will be sustained upon examination by applicable tax authorities. In making its assessments, management gives additional weight to positive and negative evidence that can be objectively verified.

Reclamation provisions

The Company’s reclamation provision represents management’s best estimate of the present value of the future cash outflows required to settle the obligation. Management assesses these provisions on an annual basis or when new information becomes available. This assessment includes the estimation of the future reclamation costs, the timing of these expenditures, inflation, and the impact of changes in discount rates, interest rates and foreign exchange rates. The actual future expenditures may differ from the amounts currently provided if the estimates made are significantly different than actual results or if there are significant changes in environmental and/or regulatory requirements in the future.

Valuation of right-of-use asset and lease liabilities

The application of IFRS 16 (as defined below) requires the Company to make judgments that affect the valuation of the right-of-use assets and the valuation of lease liabilities. These include: determining agreements in scope of IFRS 16, determining the contract term and determining the interest rate used for discounting of future cash flows.

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The lease term determined by the Company is comprised of the non-cancellable period of lease agreements, periods covered by an option to extend the lease if the Company is reasonably certain to exercise that option and periods covered by an option to terminate the lease if the Company is reasonably certain not to exercise that option.

The present value of the lease payment is determined using a discount rate representing the rate of a commercial mortgage rate, observed in the period when the lease agreement commences or is modified.

Changes in Accounting Policies including Initial Adoption

There were no changes to the Company’s accounting policies during the three months ended March 31, 2019, except for the following:

Leases

On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted IFRS 16 – Leases (“IFRS 16”) which replaced IAS 17 – Leases and IFRIC 4 – Determining Whether an Arrangement Contains a Lease. IFRS 16 sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019. IFRS 16 eliminates the classification of leases as either operating leases or finance leases for a lessee. Instead, all leases are treated in a similar way to finance leases applied in IAS 17. IFRS 16 does not require a lessee to recognize assets and liabilities for short-term leases (i.e. leases of 12 months or less) and leases of low-value assets.

The Company applied IFRS 16 using the modified retrospective method. Under this method, financial information will not be restated and will continue to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. The Company will recognize lease liabilities related to its lease commitments for its office leases. The lease liabilities will be measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments, discounted using the Company’s estimated incremental borrowing rate as at January 1, 2019, the date of initial application, resulting in no adjustment to the opening balance of deficit. The associated right-of-use assets will be measured at the lease liabilities amount, plus prepaid lease payments made by the Company. The Company has implemented the following accounting policies permitted under the new standard:

  • leases of low dollar value will continue to be expensed as incurred; and

  • the Company will not apply any grandfathering practical expedients.

As at January 1, 2019, the Company recognized $934,659 in right-of-use assets and $884,987 in lease liabilities as summarized below.

  $  
Minimum lease payments under operating leases as of December 31, 2018 657,466  
Assumed exercise of renewal of office lease in April 2020 460,050  
Effect from discounting at the incremental borrowing rate as of January 1,2019 (232,529 )
     
Lease liabilities recognized as of January 1, 2019 884,987  
Prepaid lease payments 49,672  
     
Right-of-use assets recognized as of January 1, 2019 934,659  

 

The lease liabilities were discounted at a discount rate of 7% as at January 1, 2019.

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New accounting policy for leases under IFRS 16

The following is the accounting policy for leases as of January 1, 2019 upon adoption of IFRS 16:

At inception of a contract, the Company assesses whether a contract is, or contains, a lease. A contract is, or contains, a lease if the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. The Company assesses whether the contract involves the use of an identified asset, whether the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from use of the asset during the term of the arrangement exists, and if the Company has the right to direct the use of the asset. At inception or on reassessment of a contract that contains a lease component, the Company allocates the consideration in the contract to each lease component on the basis of their relative standalone prices.

As a lessee, the Company recognizes a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at the commencement date of a lease. The right-of-use asset is initially measured at cost, which is comprised of the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments made at or before the commencement date, plus any decommissioning and restoration costs, less any lease incentives received.

The right-of-use asset is subsequently depreciated from the commencement date to the earlier of the end of the lease term, or the end of the useful life of the asset. In addition, the right-of-use asset may be reduced due to impairment losses, if any, and adjusted for certain remeasurements of the lease liability.

A lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the commencement date, discounted by the interest rate implicit in the lease, or if that rate cannot be readily determined, the incremental borrowing rate. Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability are comprised of:

  • fixed payments, including in-substance fixed payments, less any lease incentives receivable;

  • variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, initially measured using the index or rate as at the commencement date;

  • amounts expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee;

  • exercise prices of purchase options if the Company is reasonably certain to exercise that option; and

  • payments of penalties for terminating the lease, if the lease term reflects the lessee exercising an option to terminate the lease.

The lease liability is measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. It is remeasured when there is a change in future lease payments arising from a change in an index or rate, or if there is a change in the estimate or assessment of the expected amount payable under a residual value guarantee, purchase, extension or termination option. Variable lease payments not included in the initial measurement of the lease liability are charged directly to profit or loss.

The Company has elected not to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases that have a lease term of 12 months or less and leases of low-value assets. The lease payments associated with these leases are charged directly to profit on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

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Financial Instruments and Risk Management

Financial instruments measured at fair value are classified into one of three levels in the fair value hierarchy according to the relative reliability of the inputs used to estimate the fair values. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:

  • Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

  • Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly; and

  • Level 3 – Inputs that are not based on observable market data.

The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash, receivables, investments, reclamation bonds, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities. The fair value of these financial instruments, other than cash, approximates their carrying values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. Cash and investments are measured at fair value using level 1 inputs.

The Company is exposed to a variety of financial risks by virtue of its activities including currency, credit, interest rate, liquidity, commodity price and equity price risk.

1. Currency risk

The Company conducts exploration and evaluation activities in the United States. As such, it is subject to risk due to fluctuations in the exchange rates between the Canadian and U.S. dollars. As at March 31, 2019, the Company had a foreign currency net monetary asset position of approximately US$1,500,000. Each 1% change in the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar will result in a foreign exchange gain/loss of approximately $15,000.

2. Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Company if a counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations. As the Company’s cash is held in large Canadian and U.S. financial institutions, it is not exposed to significant credit risk.

3. Interest rate risk

Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates. The Company is exposed to limited interest rate risk as it only holds cash and highly liquid short-term investments.

4. Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its obligations as they come due. The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is dependent on management’s ability to raise the required capital through future equity or debt issuances. The Company manages its liquidity risk by forecasting cash flows from operations and anticipating any investing and financing activities. Management and the Board are actively involved in the review, planning, and approval of significant expenditures and commitments.

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5. Commodity price risk

The ability of the Company to explore and develop its exploration and evaluation assets and the future profitability of the Company are directly related to the price of gold. The Company monitors gold prices to determine the appropriate course of action to be taken.

Disclosure of Data for Outstanding Common Shares, Restricted Share Units, Options and Warrants

As at May 13, 2019, the Company has 260,042,886 outstanding common shares, 1,118,632 restricted share units and no outstanding warrants. A summary of the stock options outstanding and exercisable as at the date of this MD&A is as follows:

Exercise   Number   Number      
Price   Outstanding   Exercisable   Expiry Date
$                  
0.77   685,000     685,000     September 12, 2019  
0.73   2,125,000     2,125,000     November 27, 2020  
3.16   507,500     507,500     September 29, 2021  
2.24   325,000     325,000     June 1, 2022  
2.12   2,230,540     2,230,540     August 1, 2022  
2.25   600,000     400,000     September 12, 2022  
1.96   100,000     66,667     January 15, 2023  
2.11   2,314,256     1,542,837     March 5, 2023  
2.11   100,000     66,667     April 27, 2023  
1.96   160,000     53,333     September 14, 2023  
1.74   1,821,424     607,141     January 31, 2024  
1.49   50,000     16,667     March 15, 2024  
    11,018,720     8,626,352        

Corporate Governance

The Board substantially follows the recommended corporate governance guidelines for public companies under applicable Canadian securities legislation and the rules of the NYSE American LLC to ensure transparency and accountability to shareholders. The current Board is comprised of 8 individuals, 7 of whom are neither executive officers nor employees of the Company and are independent of management. The Company has also established five standing committees, being the audit committee, compensation committee, health, safety and environment committee, nominating and corporate governance committee and technical committee. The Company’s audit, compensation and corporate governance and nomination committees are each comprised of 3 directors, all of whom are independent of management. The Company’s technical committee is comprised of a director, who is independent of management, the Chief Geologist, the General Manager and a representative of OceanaGold Corporation. The Company’s health, safety and environmental committee is comprised of 2 directors, who are independent of management, the Vice President - General Counsel & Corporate Secretary and the Company’s Manager of Projects.

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Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

National Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings (“NI 52-109”) of the Canadian Securities Administrators requires the Company to issue concurrently with the filing of its annual and interim filings a “Certification of Annual Filings” and “Certification of Interim Filings”, respectively (each, a “Certification”). Each Certification requires the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (together, the “Certifying Officers”) to state that they are responsible for establishing and maintaining Disclosure Controls and Procedures (“DC&P”) and Internal Control Over Financial Reporting (“ICFR”), as defined in NI 52-109.

Each Certification requires the Certifying Officers to state that they designed DC&P, or caused it to be designed under their supervision, to provide reasonable assurance that: (i) material information relating to the Company is made known to the Certifying Officers by others; and (ii) information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports filed with, or submitted to, securities regulatory authorities is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified under Canadian securities legislation. In addition, the Certification requires the Certifying Officers to state that they have designed ICFR, or caused it to be designed under their supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes.

In designing the Company’s ICFR, the Company has adopted the “Internal Control – Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013). However, due to the inherent limitations in any control system, ICFR may not prevent or detect all misstatements and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that DC&P will detect or uncover every situation involving the failure of persons to disclose material information otherwise required to be set forth in periodic reports. Also projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. The Company’s ICFR and DC&P are designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes and that material information relating to the Company is made known to the Certifying Officers by others and that the requisite information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified under Canadian securities legislation.

The Company’s Certifying Officers evaluated, or caused to be evaluated under their supervision, the effectiveness of the Company’s DC&P and ICFR as at March 31, 2019 and concluded, based on such evaluation, that there were no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in the design or effectiveness of the Company’s DC&P and ICFR at that time.

There have been no changes in the Company’s ICFR that occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s ICFR.

Other MD&A Requirements

Additional information relating to the Company may be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov including, but not limited to:

  • the 2018 AIF;

  • the 2018 Financial Statements;

  • the 2018 Annual MD&A; and

  • the Financial Statements.

This MD&A has been approved by the Board effective May 13, 2019.

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