UNITED STATES


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

xQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the Quarterly Period Ended August 31, 2018

2019

OR

 

¨TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the Transition Period from to



Commission File Number: 1-35447

 

TRILOGY METALS INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

British Columbia98-1006991

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

  

Suite 1150, 609 Granville Street

Vancouver, British Columbia


Canada

V7Y 1G5
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)(Zip Code)
  

(604) 638-8088

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common SharesTMQNYSE American
Toronto Stock Exchange

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

YesxNo¨

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer¨Accelerated filerx

Non-accelerated filer¨

Smaller reporting
companyx
Emerging growth
company¨

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes¨Nox

 

As of October 4, 2018,8, 2019, the registrant had 131,555,020140,003,741 Common Shares, no par value, outstanding.

 

 

 

 

 

TRILOGY METALS INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page
  
PART I - FINANCIAL-FINANCIAL INFORMATION2
  
Item 1.Financial Statements2
   
Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations1614
   
Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk2623
   
Item 4.Controls and Procedures2724
   
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION2825
  
Item 1.Legal Proceedings2825
   
Item 1A.Risk Factors2825
   
Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds2825
   
Item 3.Defaults Upon Senior Securities2825
   
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures2825
   
Item 5.Other Information.Information2825
   
Item 6.Exhibits2825

 

 ii 

 

 

PART I -FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.Financial Statements

 

Trilogy Metals Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(unaudited)

 

in thousands of US dollars

 

August 31, 2018

$

 

November 30, 2017

$

  August 31, 2019
$
  November 30, 2018
$
 
Assets                
Current assets                
Cash and cash equivalents  30,468   5,391   26,852   22,991 
Accounts receivable  57   470   359   23 
Deposits and prepaid amounts  646   837   520   619 
Investments (note 3)  -   2,516 
  31,171   9,214   27,731   23,633 
Plant and Equipment (note 4)  363   478 
Mineral properties and development costs (note 5)  30,587   30,587 
        
Rent deposit  114   114 
Plant and equipment (note 3)  820   325 
Mineral properties and development costs (note 4)  30,587   30,587 
  62,121   40,279   59,252   54,659 
Liabilities                
Current liabilities                
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (note 6)  3,964   4,249 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (note 5)  4,512   1,657 
  3,964   4,249   4,512   1,657 
                
Mineral properties purchase option (note 5(c))  20,800   10,365 
Mineral properties purchase option (note 4(c))  31,000   20,800 
  24,764   14,614   35,512   22,457 
Shareholders’ equity                
Share capital (note 7)– unlimited common shares authorized, no par value Issued -131,533,953 (2017 – 105,684,523)  164,034   136,525 
Warrants (note 7(c))  2,253   2,163 
Share capital (note 6)– unlimited common shares authorized, no par value
Issued -138,905,097 (2018 – 131,585,612)
  176,970   164,069 
Warrants (note 6(c))  -   2,253 
Contributed surplus  122   124   122   122 
Contributed surplus – options (note 7(a))  19,011   18,402 
Contributed surplus – units (note 7(b))  1,425   1,319 
Contributed surplus – options (note 6(a))  21,183   19,076 
Contributed surplus – units (note 6(b))  1,652   1,489 
Deficit  (149,488)  (132,868)  (176,187)  (154,807)
  37,357   25,665   23,740   32,202 
  62,121   40,279   59,252   54,659 

 

Commitments and contingencies(notes 5, 9) (note 8)

 

(See accompanying notes to the interim consolidated financial statements)

 

/s/ Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse,James Gowans, Director /s/ Kalidas Madhavpeddi, Director
Approved on behalf of the Board of Directors

 

Approved on behalf of the Board of Directors

 2 

 

 

Trilogy Metals Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss

(unaudited)

 

in thousands of US dollars, except share and per share amounts

 For the three months ended  For the nine months ended  For the three months ended  For the nine months ended 
 

August 31, 2018

$

 

August 31, 2017

$

 

August 31, 2018

$

 

August 31, 2017

$

  August 31, 2019
$
  August 31, 2018
$
  August 31, 2019
$
  August 31, 2018
$
 
Expenses                         
                
Amortization  39   27   122   66   31   39   106   122 
Foreign exchange loss (gain)  15   (592)  (29)  (542)  3   15   (26)  (29)
General and administrative  376   273   1,175   1,050   435   376   1,363   1,175 
Investor relations  59   107   261   263   164   59   456   261 
Mineral properties expense (note 5(d))  9,051   8,471   12,657   10,407 
Mineral properties expense (note 4(d))  10,951   9,051   15,392   12,657 
Professional fees  13   86   286   404   414   13   658   286 
Salaries  286   218   738   683   272   286   835   738 
Salaries – stock-based compensation  204   104   1,277   603   402   204   3,005   1,277 
Total expenses  10,043   8,694   16,487   12,934   12,672   10,043   21,789   16,487 
Other items                                
Loss on held for trading investments  12   313   272   1,482   -   12   -   272 
Loss on disposal of equipment  -   8   -   8 
Interest and other income  (135)  (23)  (229)  (46)  (137)  (135)  (409)  (229)
Loss and comprehensive loss for the period  9,920   8,992   16,530   14,378   12,535   9,920   21,380   16,530 
                
Basic and diluted loss per common share $0.08  $0.09  $0.14  $0.14  $0.09  $0.08  $0.16  $0.14 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding  131,470,146   105,581,406   118,530,242   105,524,598   136,981,179   131,470,146   133,677,437   118,530,242 

(See accompanying notes to the interim consolidated financial statements)

3

Trilogy Metals Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

(unaudited)

in thousands of US dollars, except share amounts

  Number of
shares
outstanding
  Share capital
$
  Warrants
$
  Contributed
surplus
$
  Contributed
surplus – options
$
  Contributed
surplus – units
$
  Deficit
$
  Total
shareholders’
equity
$
 
Balance – November 30, 2017  105,684,523   136,525   2,163   124   18,402   1,319   (132,868)  25,665 
Exercise of options  50,753   29   -   -   (29)  -   -   - 
Restricted share units  800,000   457   -   -   -   (457)  -   - 
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   484   438   -   922 
Loss for the period  -   -   -   -   -   -   (2,946)  (2,946)
Balance – February 28, 2018  106,535,276   137,011   2,163   124   18,857   1,300   (135,814)  23,641 
Bought deal financing  24,784,482   28,750   90   -   -   -   (90)  28,750 
Share issuance costs  -   (1,819)  -   -   -   -   -   (1,819)
Exercise of options  28,700   5   -   -   (5)  -   -   - 
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   90   61   -   151 
Loss for the period  -   -   -   -   -   -   (3,664)  (3,664)
Balance – May 31, 2018  131,348,458   163,947   2,253   124   18,942   1,361   (139,568)  47,059 
Share issuance costs  -   14   -   -   -   -   -   14 
Exercise of options  184,475   71   -   -   (71)  -   -   - 
Novagold deferred share units  1,020   2   -   (2)  -   -   -   - 
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   140   64   -   204 
Loss for the period  -   -   -   -   -   -   (9,920)  (9,920)
Balance – August 31, 2018  131,533,953   164,034   2,253   122   19,011   1,425   (149,488)  37,357 
                                 
Balance – November 30, 2018  131,585,612   164,069   2,253   122   19,076   1,489   (154,807)  32,202 
Exercise of options  44,230   28   -   -   (28)  -   -   - 
Restricted share units  412,501   424   -   -   -   (424)  -   - 
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   1,586   353   -   1,939 
Loss for the period  -   -   -   -   -   -   (4,336)  (4,336)
Balance – February 28, 2019  132,042,343   164,521   2,253   122   20,634   1,418   (159,143)  29,805 
Exercise of options  101,064   53   -   -   (53)  -   -   - 
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   355   309   -   664 
Loss for the period  -   -   -   -   -   -   (4,509)  (4,509)
Balance – May 31, 2019  132,143,407   164,574   2,253   122   20,936   1,727   (163,652)  25,960 
Exercise of options  57,818   41   -   -   (41)  -   -   - 
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   288   114   -   402 
Deferred share units  182,132   189   -   -   -   (189)  -   - 
Exercise of warrants  6,521,740   12,166   (2,253)  -   -   -   -   9,913 
Loss for the period  -   -   -   -   -   -   (12,535)  (12,535)
Balance – August 31, 2019  138,905,097   176,970   -   122   21,183   1,652   (176,187)  23,740 

 

(See accompanying notes to the interim consolidated financial statements)

 

3

 

Trilogy Metals Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ EquityCash Flows

(unaudited)

 

in thousands of US dollars, except share amounts

  Number of
shares
outstanding
  Share capital
$
  Warrants
$
  Contributed
surplus
$
  Contributed
surplus –
options
$
  Contributed
surplus –
units
$
  Deficit
$
  Total
shareholders’
equity
$
 
Balance – November 30, 2016  105,286,469   136,357   2,163   124   18,134   1,140   (111,764)  46,154 
Exercise of options  171,458   54   -   -   (54)  -   -   - 
Restricted Share Units  209,198   83   -   -   -   (173)  -   (90)
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   312   291   -   603 
Loss for the period  -   -   -   -   -   -   (14,378)  (14,378)
Balance – August 31, 2017  105,667,125   136,494   2,163   124   18,392   1,258   (126,142)  32,289 
                                 
Balance – November 30, 2017  105,684,523   136,525   2,163   124   18,402   1,319   (132,868)  25,665 
Bought deal financing (Note 7)  24,784,482   28,750   90   -   -   -   (90)  28,750 
Share issuance costs  -   (1,805)  -   -   -   -   -   (1,805)
Exercise of options  263,928   105   -   -   (105)  -   -   - 
Restricted Share Units  800,000   457   -   -   -   (457)  -   - 
NovaGold DSU Conversion  1,020   2   -   (2)  -   -   -   - 
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   714   563   -   1,277 
Loss for the period  -   -   -   -   -   -   (16,530)  (16,530)
Balance – August 31, 2018  131,533,953   164,034   2,253   122   19,011   1,425   (149,488)  37,357 
  in thousands of US dollars
  For the nine months ended 
  

August 31, 2019

$

  

August 31, 2018

$

 
Cash flows used in operating activities        
Loss for the period  (21,380)  (16,530)
Items not affecting cash        
Amortization  106   122 
Loss on held for trading investments  -   272 
Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain)  3   (52)
Stock-based compensation  3,005   1,277 
Net change in non-cash working capital        
(Increase) Decrease in accounts receivable  (336)  413 
Decrease in deposits and prepaid amounts  99   191 
Increase (Decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities  2,748   (285)
   (15,755)  (14,592)
Cash flows from (used in) financing activities        
Proceeds from exercise of warrants  9,913   - 
Proceeds from bought deal financing  -   28,750 
Share issuance cost  -   (1,805)
   9,913   26,945 
Cash flows from investing activities        
Acquisition of plant & equipment  (494)  (7)
Mineral properties funding (note 4 (c))  10,200   10,435 
Proceeds from the sale of investments, net of fees  -   2,297 
   9,706   12,725 
Increase in cash and cash equivalents  3,864   25,078 
Effect of exchange rate on cash and cash equivalents  (3)  (1)
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period  22,991   5,391 
Cash and cash equivalents – end of period  26,852   30,468 

 

(See accompanying notes to the interim consolidated financial statements)

 

4


 

Trilogy Metals Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited)

in thousands of US dollars

  For the nine months ended 
  

August 31, 2018

$

  

August 31, 2017

$

 
Cash flows used in operating activities        
Loss for the period  (16,530)  (14,378)
Items not affecting cash  -   - 
Amortization  122   66 
Loss on disposal of equipment  -   8 
Loss on held for trading investments  272   1,424 
Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain)  (52)  (472)
Stock-based compensation  1,277   603 
Net change in non-cash working capital        
Decrease (Increase) in accounts receivable  413   (294)
Decrease (Increase) in deposits and prepaid amounts  191   (140)
(Increase) Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities  (285)  4,116 
   (14,592)  (9,067)
Cash flows from (used in) financing activities        
         
Proceeds from bought deal financing (note 7)  28,750   - 
Share issuance cost  (1,805)  - 
Settlement of Restricted Share Units  -   (90)
   26,945   (90)
Cash flows from (used in) investing activities        
Acquisition of plant & equipment  (7)  (209)
Mineral properties funding (note 5 (c))  10,435   10,000 
Proceeds from the sale of investments, net of fees  2,297   2,180 
   12,725   11,971 
Increase in cash and cash equivalents  25,078   2,814 
Effect of exchange rate on cash and cash equivalents  (1)  51 
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period  5,391   7,340 
Cash and cash equivalents – end of period  30,468   10,205 

(See accompanying notes to the interim consolidated financial statements)

5

Trilogy Metals Inc.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

1.1Nature of operations

 

Trilogy Metals Inc. (“Trilogy” or the “Company”) was incorporated in British Columbia under theBusiness Corporations Act (BC)(British Columbia) on April 27, 2011. The Company is engaged in the exploration and development of mineral properties with a focus on the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects (“UKMP”), including the Arctic and Bornite Projects located in Northwest Alaska in the United States of America (“US”).

 

2.2Summary of significant accounting policies

 

Basis of presentation

 

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) and include the accounts of Trilogy and its wholly-owned subsidiary, NovaCopper US Inc. (dba “Trilogy Metals US”). All significant intercompany transactions are eliminated on consolidation.

 

All figures are in United States dollars unless otherwise noted. References to CAD$ or CDN$ refer to amounts in Canadian dollars.

 

TheThese unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include all adjustments of a normal recurring nature necessary for the fair presentation of the Company’s financial position as of August 31, 20182019 and our results of operations and cash flows for the nine months ended August 31, 20182019 and August 31, 2017.2018. The results of operations for the nine months ended August 31, 20182019 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2018.2019.

 

As these interim consolidated financial statements do not contain all of the disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for annual financial statements, these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 20172018 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 2, 2018.11, 2019.

 

These financial statements were approved by the Company’s Audit Committee on behalf of the Board of Directors for issue on October 4,8, 2019.

Accounting standards adopted

i.Financial instruments

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new guidance on classifying and measuring financial instruments (“ASU 2016-01”). This update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company adopted the provisions of this guidance effective December 1, 2018. As the Company’s investments in equity instruments were previously classified at fair value with the change in fair value recorded to the statement of loss and comprehensive loss, the new guidance does not impact the Company’s accounting or reported results.

 

Recent accounting pronouncements

 

i.ii.Leases

 

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”)FASB issued new accounting requirements for accounting for, presentation of, and classification of leases (“ASU 2016-02”). This will result in most leases being capitalized as a right of use asset with a related liability on the balance sheets. The requirements of the new standard are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those annual periods, which for usTrilogy is the first quarter of the fiscal year ending November 30, 2020. We expect the adoption will have an impact as we expect to capitalize leases and recognize lease obligations, specifically for our office leases which are not currently recognized on the balance sheets. We are in the process of analyzing the quantitative impact of this guidance on our results of operations and financial position. The impact of this adoption will increase asset and liability balances as part of recognizing the leases on the balance sheet. It will impact the statement of loss and comprehensive loss due to the recognition of depreciation on the leased assets and interest expense from the lease liability compared to the current recognition of lease expense as incurred.

 

6

ii.3Financial instrumentsPlant and equipment

 

In March 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on classifying and measuring financial instruments (“ASU 2016-02”). This update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted. The Company has analyzed the impactin thousands of the update and determined that the changes to classification and measurement of financial instruments are not expected to have an impact as the Company’s prior year equity investments which were held at fair value with changes recorded to the statement of loss and comprehensive loss. The remaining changes in the update do not have an effect on the Company’s accounting for financial instruments. The standard will be effective for the Company for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2019.dollars

iii.Stock-based compensation

In March 2016, the FASB issued new guidance simplifying the accounting for stock-based compensation transactions, including income tax consequences, classification of awards as equity or liabilities, forfeitures, and classification on the statement of cash flows (“ASU 2016-09”). This update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company has adopted this guidance and made the policy choice of estimating the number of awards expected to be forfeited and adjusting the estimate when it is no longer probable that the employee will fulfill the service condition. This policy choice is consistent with the Company’s previous practice and therefore, no adjustments were necessary on adoption. The remaining changes in the update do not have an effect on the Company’s accounting for stock-based compensation.

iv.Business combinations

In January 2017, the FASB issued new guidance to assist in determining if a set of assets and activities being acquired or sold is a business (“ASU 2017-01”). It also provided a framework to assist entities in evaluating whether both an input and a substantive process are present, which at a minimum, must be present to be considered a business. This update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted in most circumstances. The standard does not have an impact to the Company’s historical recognition of asset acquisitions and business combinations. However, the Company expects there would be an impact to how the Company accounts for assets acquired in the future. The Company has adopted the standard early for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2018.

v.Accounting for certain financial instruments with down round features

In July 2017, the FASB issued a two-part Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”), No. 2017-11, Earnings Per Share (ASC 260), Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (ASC 480), Derivatives and Hedging (ASC 815): I. Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Down Round Features and II. Replacement of the Indefinite Deferral for Mandatorily Redeemable Financial Instruments of Certain Nonpublic Entities and Certain Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests with a Scope Exception. Under the guidance, entities will no longer consider a down round feature when determining whether a free-standing financial instrument or an embedded feature that contains a down round feature is considered indexed to the entity’s own stock under ASC 815-40 which is required for a freestanding financial instrument to be classified in shareholder’s equity and may exempt an embedded feature from bifurcation and derivative accounting. Entities will recognize the effect of a down round feature only when it is triggered.

ASU 2017-11 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018 and early adoption is permitted. The Company has adopted this guidance for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2018.

3.Investments

On September 1, 2016, Trilogy acquired 5,000,000 common shares of GoldMining Inc. (“GMI”), formerly Brazil Resources Inc., a public company listed on the TSX-Venture exchange, and 1,000,000 warrants, with each warrant exercisable into one common share of GMI until September 1, 2018 at an exercise price of CAD$3.50, through its sale of Sunward Investments Ltd.

7

The common shares and warrants received have been designated as held-for-trading financial assets and classified as current investments.

  August 31, 2019 
  

 

Cost

$

  

Accumulated

amortization

$

  

 

Net

$

 
British Columbia, Canada            
Furniture and equipment  63   (26)  37 
Leasehold improvements  53   (16)  37 
Computer hardware and software  115   (111)  4 
Alaska, USA            
Machinery and equipment  3,779   (3,038)  741 
Vehicles  348   (347)  1 
Computer hardware and software  35   (35)  - 
   4,393   (3,573)  820 

 

in thousands of dollars

August 31, 2018

$

November 30, 2017

$

Current investments-2,516

During the nine-month period ended August 31, 2018, the Company sold 2,365,000 (2017 – 1,519,000) common shares of GMI for proceeds of $2.3 million (2017 – $2.2 million) and realized a loss on sale of $0.3 million (2017 - $0.2 million). During the period, the Company recorded an unrealized gain on the common shares and warrants of GMI of Nil (2017 - loss of $1.3 million).

As at August 31, 2018, the Company held Nil (2017 – 3,371,000) common shares of GMI and 1,000,000 (2017 – 1,000,000) warrants expiring September 1, 2018 which were valued at $Nil using the Black-Scholes option pricing model at period end. All the warrants expired unexercised on September 1, 2018.

  November 30, 2018 
  

 

Cost

$

  

Accumulated

amortization

$

  

 

Net

$

 
British Columbia, Canada            
Furniture and equipment  63   (17)  46 
Leasehold improvements  53   (10)  43 
Computer hardware and software  115   (109)  6 
Alaska, USA            
Machinery and equipment  3,178   (2,964)  214 
Vehicles  348   (333)  15 
Computer hardware and software  35   (34)  1 
   3,792   (3,467)  325 

 

4.4Plant and equipment

in thousands of dollars

  August 31, 2018 
  

Cost

$

  

Accumulated

amortization

$

  

Net

$

 
British Columbia, Canada            
Furniture and equipment  63   (14)  49 
Leasehold improvements  53   (8)  45 
Computer hardware and software  115   (108)  7 
Alaska, USA            
Machinery, and equipment  3,178   (2,939)  239 
Vehicles  348   (327)  21 
Computer hardware and software  35   (33)  2 
   3,792   (3,429)  363 

in thousands of dollars

  November 30, 2017 
  

Cost

$

  

Accumulated

amortization

$

  

Net

$

 
British Columbia, Canada            
Furniture and equipment  63   (4)  59 
Leasehold improvements  85   (34)  51 
Computer hardware and software  108   (105)  3 
Alaska, USA            
Machinery, and equipment  3,178   (2,855)  323 
Vehicles  348   (309)  39 
Computer hardware and software  35   (32)  3 
   3,817   (3,339)  478 

8

5.Mineral properties and development costs

in thousands of dollars

  

November 30, 2017

$

  

Acquisition costs

$

  

August 31, 2018

$

 
Alaska, USA            
Ambler (a)  26,587   -   26,587 
Bornite (b)  4,000   -   4,000 
   30,587   -   30,587 

 

in thousands of dollars

 

November 30, 2016

$

 

Acquisition costs

$

 

November 30, 2017

$

  

November 30, 2018

$

  

Acquisition costs

$

  

August 31, 2019

$

 
Alaska, USA                        
Ambler (a)  26,586   1   26,587   26,587   -   26,587 
Bornite (b)  4,000   -   4,000   4,000   -   4,000 
  30,586   -   30,587   30,587   -   30,587 

in thousands of dollars

  

November 30, 2017

$

  

Acquisition costs

$

  

November 30, 2018

$

 
Alaska, USA            
Ambler (a)  26,587   -   26,587 
Bornite (b)  4,000   -   4,000 
   30,587   -   30,587 

 

(a)Ambler

 

On January 11, 2010, NovaGold Resources Inc. (“NovaGold”), through Alaska Gold Company (“AGC”), at the time a wholly-owned NovaGold subsidiary, purchased 100% of the Ambler lands in Northwest Alaska, which contains the copper-zinc-lead-gold-silver Arctic Project and other mineralized targets within the volcanogenic massive sulfide belt, through a series of cash and share payments. Total fair value of the consideration was $26.6 million. The vendor retained a 1% net smelter return royalty that the Company can purchase at any time for a one-time payment of $10.0 million.

 


The Ambler lands were acquired on October 17, 2011 by Trilogy Metals US through a purchase and sale agreement with AGC. On October 24, 2011, NovaGold transferred its ownership of Trilogy Metals US to the Company, then itself a wholly owned subsidiary of NovaGold, which was subsequently spun-out to NovaGold shareholders and publicly listed on April 30, 2012 (“NovaGold Arrangement”).

 

(b)Bornite

 

On October 19, 2011, Trilogy Metals US acquired the exclusive right to explore and the non-exclusive right to access and enter on the Bornite lands, and lands deeded to NANA Regional Corporation, Inc. (“NANA”) through the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, located adjacent to the Ambler lands in Northwest Alaska. As consideration, Trilogy Metals US paid $4 million to acquire the right to explore and develop the combined Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects through an Exploration Agreement and Option to Lease with NANA. Upon a decision to proceed with construction of a mine on the lands, NANA maintains the right to purchase between a 16%-25% ownership interest in the mine or retain a 15% net proceeds royalty which is payable after Trilogy Metals US has recovered certain historical costs, including capital and cost of capital. Should NANA elect to purchase an ownership interest, consideration will be payable equal to all historical costs incurred on the properties at the elected percentage purchased less $40 million, not to be less than zero. The parties would form a joint venture and be responsible for all future costs, including capital costs of the mine based on their pro-rata share.

 

NANA would also be granted a net smelter return royalty of between 1% and 2.5% upon the execution of a mining lease or a surface use agreement, the amount of which is determined by the classification of land from which production originates.

 

(c)Option Agreement

 

On April 10, 2017, Trilogy and Trilogy Metals US entered into an Option Agreement to form a Joint Venture with South32 Group Operations Pty Ltd. (“South32 Operations”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of South32 Limited, on the UKMP (the “Option Agreement”), which agreement was later assigned by South32 Operations to its affiliate, South32 USA Exploration Inc. (together with South32 Operations, “South32”(“South32”) on the UKMP (“Option Agreement”). Under the terms of the Option Agreement, as amended, Trilogy Metals US granted South32 the right to form a 50/50 joint venture to hold all of Trilogy Metals US’ Alaskan assets. Upon exercise of the option, Trilogy Metals US will transfer its Alaskan assets, including the UKMP, and South32 will contribute a minimum of $150 million, to a newly formed and jointly held, limited liability company (“JV LLC”), plus any amounts Trilogy Metals US spends at the Arctic Project over the next three years to a maximum of $5 million per year (the “Subscription Price”), less an amount of the initial funding contributed by South32..

9

 

To maintain the option in good standing, South32 is required to fund a minimum of $10 million per year for up to a three-year period, which funds will be used to execute a mutually agreed upon program at the UKMP. The funds provided by South32 may only be expended based onin accordance with an approved program by a technical committee with equal representation from Trilogy and South32. South32 may exercise its option at any time over the approved program. Provided that allthree-year period to enter into the exploration data and information has been made available to South32 by no later than December 3150/50 joint venture. To subscribe for 50% of each year,the JV, South32 must decide by the end of January of the following year whether: (i) to fund a further tranche ofcontribute a minimum of $150 million, plus (i) any amounts Trilogy spends on matched parallel funding to a maximum of $16 million over the three year period and (ii) $5 million if the option had been exercised between April 1, 2018 and March 31, 2019 or $10 million or (ii) to withdrawif the option is exercised between April 1, 2019 and not provide any further annual funding. If the election to fund a further tranche is not made in January,expiration date of the option, less the amount of the initial funding contributed by South32 (the “Subscription Price”). South32 has now funded the full three-year option period. South32 has until the end of MarchJanuary 2020 to exercise the option to form the JV LLC and make the subscription payment. Should South32 not make its annual minimum payment or elect to withdraw, the option will lapse and South32 will have no claim to property ownership or to the funds already spent.

 

During the year ended November 30, 2017, the Company received the first payment of $10.0 million and these funds were expended on the year 1 program at the Bornite Project. In October 2017, the Company received $0.4 million as a first instalment towards the year 2 program and budget to begin preparatory work. During the nine monthsyear ended August 31,November 30, 2018, the Company received payments totaling $10.4 million following the approval of the year 2 program and budget in January 2018, including a $0.80 million advance on South32’s year three funding obligation per the Option Agreement. During the quarter ended February 28, 2019, the Company received payments totaling $10.2 million following the approval of the year 3 program and budget, including an additional $1 million of funding for the approved regional exploration program. The receipt of the year 3 funding represents receipt of the final tranche of funding from South32. The Company is responsible for the disbursement of these funds in accordance with the approved program and budget and accordingly has not classified the funds as restricted cash.

 


As the initial option payments are credited against the future subscription price upon exercise, the Company has accounted for the paymentpayments received from South32 as deferred consideration for the purchase of the UKMP interest. At such time as the option is exercised, the initial$31.0 million of payments received to that date will be recognized as part of the consideration received for the Company’s contribution of the UKMP into JV LLC. If South 32South32 withdraws from the Option Agreement, the consideration will be recognized as income in the statement of loss at that time.

 

The option to form the JV LLC is recognized as a financial instrument at inception of the arrangement with an initial fair value of $nil. This option is required to be re-measured at fair value at each reporting date with any changes in fair value recorded in loss for the period. The Company determined that the fair value of the option is stillremains $nil as at August 31, 2018.2019.

 

(d)Mineral properties expense

 

The following table summarizes mineral properties expense for the noted periods.

In thousands of dollars

  

Three months
ended

August 31, 2019

$

  

Three months
ended

August 31, 2018

$

  

Nine months

ended

August 31, 2019

$

  

Nine months

ended

August 31, 2018

$

 
Alaska, USA                
Community  164   81   428   324 
Drilling  4,760   3,624   4,933   3,804 
Engineering  663   245   1,287   750 
Environmental  153   313   424   482 
Geochemistry and geophysics  252   420   1,010   1,066 
Land and permitting  163   145   523   504 
Project support  3,062   2,703   4,066   3,381 
Other income  -   -   (1)  (20)
Wages and benefits  1,734   1,520   2,722   2,366 
Mineral property expense  10,951   9,051   15,392   12,657 

  Three months ended
August 31, 2018
$
  Three months ended
August 31, 2017
$
  Nine months ended
August 31, 2018
$
  Nine months ended
August 31, 2017
$
 
Alaska, USA                
Community  81   67   324   201 
Drilling  3,624   3,194   3,804   3,284 
Engineering  259   1,085   785   1,508 
Environmental  326   122   488   181 
Geochemistry and geophysics  420   146   1,066   151 
Land and permitting  118   215   463   667 
Project support  2,703   2,307   3,381   2,641 
Other income  -   (26)  (20)  (26)
Wages and benefits  1,520   1,361   2,366   1,800 
Mineral property expense  9,051   8,471   12,657   10,407 

 

Mineral property expenses consist of direct drilling, personnel, community, resource reporting and other exploration expenses as outlined above, as well as indirect project support expenses such as fixed wing charters, helicopter support, fuel, and other camp operation costs. Cumulative mineral properties expense in Alaska from the initial earn-in agreement on the property in 2004 to August 31, 20182019 is $91.0$110.0 million and cumulative acquisition costs are $30.6 million totaling $121.6$140.6 million spent to date.

 

10

6.5Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

in thousands of dollars

 

August 31, 2018

$

 

November 30, 2017

$

  

August 31, 2019

$

  

November 30, 2018

$

 
Trade accounts payable  3,021   2,767   3,271   400 
Accrued liabilities  838   1,293   901   503 
Accrued salaries and vacation  105   189   340   746 
Due to related parties  -   8 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  3,964   4,249   4,512   1,657 

9

 

7.6Share capital

 

Authorized:

unlimited common shares, no par value

in thousands of dollars, except share amounts

 Number of shares  

Ascribed value

$

  Number of shares  

Ascribed value

$

 
November 30, 2016  105,286,469   136,357 
Exercise of options  188,856   85 
Restricted Share Units  209,198   83 
November 30, 2017  105,684,523   136,525   105,684,523   136,525 
Bought deal financing  24,784,482   28,750   24,784,482   28,750 
Share issuance costs  -   (1,805)  -   (1,805)
Exercise of options  263,928   105   315,148   140 
Restricted Share Units  800,000   457 
NovaGold DSU Conversion  1,020   2 
August 31, 2018, issued and outstanding  131,533,953   164,034 
Restricted share units  800,000   457 
NovaGold DSU conversion  1,459   2 
November 30, 2018  131,585,612   164,069 
Exercise of options  203,112   122 
Restricted share units  412,501   424 
Deferred share units  182,132   189 
Exercise of warrants  6,521,740   12,166 
August 31, 2019, issued and outstanding  138,905,097   176,970 

On April 30, 2012, under the NovaGold Arrangement, Trilogy committed to issue common shares to satisfy holders of NovaGold deferred share units (“NovaGold DSUs”) on record as of the close of business on April 27, 2012. When vested, Trilogy committed to deliver one Common Share to the holder for every six shares of NovaGold the holder is entitled to receive, rounded down to the nearest whole number. As of August 31, 2019, there remains 11,927 NovaGold DSUs outstanding representing a right to receive 1,988 Common Shares in Trilogy, which will settle upon certain directors retiring from NovaGold’s board.

 

On April 20, 2018, the Company completed a bought-deal financing for gross proceeds of $28.8$28.7 million by issuing 24,784,482 common shares at $1.16 per common share. Expenses including bank commissions, legal fees, stock exchange and other fees totaled $1.8 million for net proceeds of $26.9 million.

 

As of August 31, 2018, 11,927 NovaGold DSUs remain outstanding representing a right to receive 1,988 common shares in Trilogy, which will settle upon certain directors retiring from the board of NovaGold Resources Inc.

(a)Stock options

 

During the nine-month periodnine - months ended August 31, 2018,2019, the Company granted 2,395,0002,527,500 options (2017(20181,695,0002,395,000 options) at a weighted-average exercise price of CAD$1.15 (20172.96 (2018 – CAD$0.72)1.15) to employees, consultants and directors exercisable for a period of five years with various vesting terms between nil and two years.from immediate vesting to over a two-year period. The weighted-average fair value attributable to options granted in the period was $0.43.$1.08 (2018 - $0.43).

 

For the nine-monthnine - month period ended August 31, 2018,2019, Trilogy recognized a stock-based compensation charge of $0.71$2.23 million (2017– $0.31(2018 – $0.71 million) for options granted to directors, employees and service providers, net of estimated forfeitures.

 

The recognized fair value of the stock options recognized ingranted during the nine - month period ended August 31, 2019 has been estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.

11

 

Assumptions used in the pricing model for the period are as provided below.

 

  August 31, 20182019 
Risk-free interest rates  1.592.03%
Exercise price CAD$1.18CAD$2.97 
Expected life  3.0 years 
Expected volatility  77.975.0%
Expected dividends  Nil 

 

As of August 31, 2018,2019, there were 1,586,6761,775,005 non-vested options outstanding with a weighted average exercise price of $0.85;$1.82; the non-vested stock option expense not yet recognized was $0.64$0.63 million. This expense is expected to be recognized over the next two years.

 


A summary of the Company’s stock option plan and changes during the nine-monthnine - month period ended August 31, 20182019 is as follows:

 

 August 31, 2018   August 31, 2019 
 Number of options  Weighted average
exercise price
$
   

 

 

Number of options

  

Weighted average
exercise price

$

 
Balance – beginning of the year  7,127,500   0.54 
Balance – beginning of the period   8,821,434   0.60 
Granted  2,395,000   0.88    2,527,500   2.22 
Exercised  (412,732)  0.58    (306,432)  0.84 
Forfeited  (70,000)  1.10 
Expired  (25,000)  1.52 
Balance – end of period  9,014,768   0.62    11,042,502   0.97 

 

The following table summarizes information about the stock options outstanding at August 31, 2018.2019.

 

 Outstanding  Exercisable  Unvested   Outstanding  Exercisable  Unvested 
Range of price Number of
outstanding
options
  Weighted
average years
to expiry
  Weighted
average
exercise price
$
  Number of
exercisable
options
  Weighted
average
exercise price
$
  Number of
unvested
options
   Number of
outstanding
options
  Weighted
average years
to expiry
  

Weighted
average
exercise price

$

  Number of
exercisable
options
  

Weighted
average
exercise price

$

  Number of
unvested
options
 
$0.34 to $0.50  4,006,433   1.95   0.40   4,006,433   0.40   - 
$0.33 to $0.50   3,876,433   0.97   0.39   3,876,433   0.39   - 
$0.51 to $1.00  4,663,335   3.15   0.74   3,329,993   0.75   1,333,342    4,333,569   2.21   0.72   3,885,233   0.71   448,336 
$1.01 to $1.49  345,000   4.84   1.47   91,666   1.19   253,334 
$1.01 to $1.50   225,000   3.62   1.32   175,000   1.29   50,000 
$1.51 to $2.00   90,000   3.87   1.83   73,333   1.82   16,667 
$2.01 to $2.52   2,517,500   4.27   2.21   1,257,498   2.22   1,260,002 
  9,014,768   2.68   0.62   7,428,092   0.57   1,586,676    11,042,502   2.29   0.96   9,267,497   0.80   1,775,005 

 

The aggregate intrinsic value of vested share options (the market value less the exercise price) at August 31, 20182019 was $9.2$10.6 million (2017(2018 - $2.8$9.2 million) and the aggregate intrinsic value of exercised options for the nine months- month period ended August 31, 20182019 was $0.4$0.5 million (2017(2018 - $0.15$0.4 million).

 

(b)Restricted Share Units and Deferred Share Units

 

The Company has a Restricted Share Unit Plan (“RSU Plan”) and a Non-Executive Director Deferred Share Unit Plan (“DSU Plan”) to provide long-term incentives to employees, officers and directors. Awards under the RSU Plan and DSU Plan may be settled in cash and/or common shares of the Company at the Company’s election with each restricted share unit (“RSU”) and deferred share unit (“DSU”) entitling the holder to receive one common share of the Company or equivalent value. All units are accounted for as equity-settled awards.

 

12

A summary of the Company’s unit plans and changes during the nine - month period ended August 31, 20182019 is as follows:

 

 Number of RSUs  Number of DSUs   Number of RSUs  Number of DSUs 
Balance – beginning of the year  600,002   1,041,231 
Balance – beginning of the period   400,002   1,182,106 
Granted  600,000   109,670    225,000   119,139 
Vested/paid  (800,000)  -    (412,501)  (182,132)
Balance – end of period  400,002   1,150,901    212,501   1,119,113 

 

For the nine months- month period ended August 31, 2018,2019, Trilogy recognized a stock-based compensation charge of $0.56$0.78 million (2017- $0.29(2018 - $0.56 million), net of estimated forfeitures.

 

As part of the annual incentive payout for the 20172018 fiscal year, 300,000225,000 RSUs were granted to officers during the three – month period ended February 28, 2019, vesting immediately. In addition, 300,000 RSUs were granted to officers vesting one third immediately, one thirdhalf on the grant date and half on the first anniversary of the grant date, and one thirddate. RSUs vesting in December 2018 were settled on the second anniversary. On December 27, 2017, 800,000 RSUs vested and were settled21, 2018 through the issuance of 800,000412,501 common shares.


 

(c)Share Purchase Warrants

 

A summary ofDuring the Company’s warrants and changes during the nine monthsthree - month period ended August 31, 2018 is as follows:

  Number of
warrants
  Years to expiry  Exercise price
$
 
Balance – beginning of the year  6,521,740   1.60   1.60 
Balance – end of period  6,521,740   0.84   1.52 

The exercise price2019, all the outstanding warrants were exercised in advance of the share purchase warrants was adjusted downward asJuly 2, 2019 expiry date.  As a result of the financing completed on April 20, 2018 from $1.60 to $1.52. Thewarrants exercised, the Company measured the fair valueissued a total of the warrants prior to the financing6,521,740 common shares and after the financing and recorded the differencereceived cash proceeds of $90,000 as an adjustment to the warrant value and to retained earnings in shareholders equity during the period. The warrants expire on July 2, 2019.approximately $9.9 million.

 

8.7Financial instruments

 

The Company is exposed to a variety of risks arising from financial instruments. These risks and management’s objectives, policies and procedures for managing these risks are disclosed as follows.

 

The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, deposits, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities. The fair value of the Company’s financial instruments approximates their carrying value due to the short-term nature of their maturity. The Company’s financial instruments initially measured at fair value and then held at amortized cost include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, deposits, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities. The Company’s investments were held for trading and were marked-to-market at each period end with changes in fair value recorded to the statement of loss.

 

Financial risk management

 

The Company’s activities expose it to certain financial risks, including currency risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, interest risk and price risk.

 

(a)Currency risk

 

Currency risk is the risk of a fluctuation in financial asset and liability settlement amounts due to a change in foreign exchange rates. The Company operates in the United States and Canada. The Company’s exposure to currency risk at August 31, 20182019 is limited to the Canadian dollar consisting of cash of CAD$1.0 million, deposit amountsCDN$205,000, accounts receivable of CAD$0.1 millionCDN$62,000 and accounts payable of CAD$0.5 million.CDN$1,283,000. Based on a 10% change in the US-Canadian exchange rate, assuming all other variables remain constant, the Company’s net loss would change by approximately $0.1 million.$76,000.

13

 

(b)Credit risk

 

Credit risk is the risk of an unexpected loss if a customer or third party to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations. The Company holds cash and cash equivalents with Canadian Chartered financial institutions. The Company’s accounts receivable consists of Canadian Goods and Services Tax receivable from the Federal Government of Canada and other receivables for recoverable expenses. The Company’s exposure to credit risk is equal to the balance of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable as recorded in the financial statements.

 

(c)Liquidity risk

 

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will encounter difficulties raising funds to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Company is in the exploration stage and does not have cash inflows from operations; therefore, the Company manages liquidity risk through the management of its capital structure and financial leverage.

 

Contractually obligated cash flow requirements as at August 31, 20182019 are as follows.follows:

 

in thousands of dollars

  

Total

$

  

< 1 Year

$

  

1–2 Years

$

  

2–5 Years

$

  

Thereafter

$

 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  3,964   3,964   -   -   - 
Office lease (note 9)  1,128   175   182   596   175 
   5,092   4,139   182   596   175 
  

Total
$

  

<1 Year
$

  

1–2 Years
$

  

2–5 Years
$

  

Thereafter
$

 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  4,512   4,512        -       -         - 
   4,512   4,512   -   -   - 

 

(d)Interest rate risk

 

Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates. The Company is exposed to interest rate risk with respect to interest earned on cash and cash equivalents. Based on balances as at August 31, 2018,2019, a 1% change in interest rates would result in a change in net loss of $0.3$0.2 million, assuming all other variables remain constant.

 

Fair value accounting

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

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;

Level 2 — Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and

Level 3 — Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (supported by little or no market activity)


8Commitment

 

The levels in the fair value hierarchy into which the Company’s financial assetsCompany has commitments with respect to office and liabilities that are measured and recognized at fair value on a recurring basis were categorizedwarehouse leases requiring future minimum lease payments as follows:

in thousands of dollars

  

August 31, 2018

2019
$

November 30, 2017

$

Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 1Level 2Level 3
Current investments – shares---2,516--

During the nine-month period ended August 31, 2018, the Company disposed of its remaining shares of GMI, a publicly-held mineral exploration company. The share investments were recorded as current investments and were valued using quoted market prices in active markets and as such are classified as a Level 1 financial instrument.

14

9.Commitment

The Company has commitments in respect of its office lease (denominated in Canadian dollars converted at the foreign exchange rate at the end of the quarter) requiring future minimum lease payments from the date as follows:

in thousands of dollars

August 31, 2018

$

 
One year
  175

237

 
Years 2 through 5  778452 
Beyond 5 years  175372 
Total  1,1281,061 

 

15

Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Trilogy Metals Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

(expressed in US dollars)

Cautionary notes

 

Forward-looking statements

 

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Canadian Securities laws, Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and other applicable securities laws (collectively, “forward-looking statements”).laws. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding perceived merit of properties, the timing and filing of updated technical reports, the timing of permitting,exploration results and budgets, mineral reserves and resource estimates, work programs, capital expenditures, operating costs, cash flow estimates, production estimates and similar statements relating to the economic viability of a project, timelines, strategic plans, statements relating to anticipated activity with respect to the Ambler Mining District Industrial Access Project, includingregarding the Company’s plans and expectations relating to its Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects, market prices for precious and base metals, or other statements that are not statements of fact. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Statements concerning mineral resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute “forward-looking statements” to the extent that they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered if the property is developed.

 

Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, identified by words or phrases such as “expects”, “is expected”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “plans”, “projects”, “estimates”, “assumes”, “intends”, “strategy”, “goals”, “objectives”, “potential”, “possible” or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events, conditions or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “should”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.

 

Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material assumptions, including those listed below, which could prove to be significantly incorrect:

 

·assumptions made in the interpretation of drill results, and of the geology, grade and continuity of the Company’s mineral deposits;
·our ability to achieve production at any of the Company’s mineral exploration and development properties;
·our expected ability to develop adequate infrastructure and that the cost of doing so will be reasonable;
·assumptions that all necessary permits and governmental approvals will be obtained;
·estimated capital costs, operating costs, production and economic returns;
·estimated metal pricing, metallurgy, mineability, marketability and operating and capital costs, together with other assumptions underlying the Company’s resource and reserve estimates;
·continued good relationships with local communities and other stakeholders;
·our expectations regarding demand for equipment, skilled labour and services needed for exploration and development of mineral properties;
·assumptions regarding the merit of litigation; and
·that our activities will not be adversely disrupted or impeded by development, operating or regulatory risks.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation:

 

·risks related to the inability to define proven and probable reserves;
·risks related to our ability to finance the development of our mineral properties through external financing, strategic alliances, the sale of property interests or otherwise;
·none of the Company’s mineral properties are in production or are under development;
·uncertainty as to whether South32 will exercise its option under the Option Agreement;
·uncertainties relating to the assumptions underlying our resource estimates, such as metal pricing, metallurgy, mineability, marketability and operating and capital costs;


·risks related to lack of infrastructure including but not limited to the risk whether or not the AMDIAPAmbler Mining District Industrial Access Project (“AMDIAP”) will receive the requisite permits and, if it does, whether AIDEAAlaska Industrial Development Export Authority will build the AMDIAP;
·uncertainties related to the Company’s exploration programs, metallurgical studies and other activities at its properties;

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·uncertainty as to whether there will ever be production at the Company’s mineral exploration and development properties;
·uncertainty as to estimates of capital costs, operating costs, production and economic returns;
·risks related to our ability to commence production and generate material revenues or obtain adequate financing for our planned exploration and development activities;
·risks related to future sales or issuances of equity securities decreasing the value of existing Trilogy common shares, diluting voting power and reducing future earnings per share;
·risks related to market events and general economic conditions;
·uncertainty related to inferred mineral resources;
·uncertainty related to the economic projections contained herein derived from the Arctic PFS;Pre-Feasibility Study titled “Arctic Project, Northwest Alaska, USA, NI 43-101 technical report on Pre-Feasibility Study” dated effective February 20, 2018;
·risks related to inclement weather which may delay or hinder exploration activities at its mineral properties;
·risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of our mineral deposits;
·mining and development risks, including risks related to infrastructure, accidents, equipment breakdowns, labor disputes or other unanticipated difficulties with or interruptions in development, construction or production;
·the risk that permits and governmental approvals necessary to develop and operate mines at our mineral properties will not be available on a timely basis or at all;
·commodity price fluctuations;
·risks related to governmental regulation and permits, including environmental regulation, including the risk that more stringent requirements or standards may be adopted or applied due to circumstances unrelated to the Company and outside of its control;
·risks related to the need for reclamation activities on our properties and uncertainty of cost estimates related thereto;
·uncertainty related to title to our mineral properties;
·our history of losses and expectation of future losses;
·risks related to increases in demand for equipment, skilled labor and services needed for exploration and development of mineral properties, and related cost increases;
·our need to attract and retain qualified management and technical personnel;
·risks related to conflicts of interests of some of our directors;directors and officers;
·risks related to potential future litigation;
·risks related to the voting power of our major shareholders and the impact that a sale by such shareholders may have on our share price;
·risks related to global climate change;
·risks related to adverse publicity from non-governmental organizations;
·uncertainty as to the volatility in the price of the Company’s shares;
·the Company’s expectation of not paying cash dividends;
·adverse federal income tax consequences for U.S. shareholders should the Company be a passive foreign investment company;
·uncertainty as to our ability to maintain the adequacy of internal control over financial reporting as per the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; and
·increased regulatory compliance costs, associated with rules and regulations promulgated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), Canadian Securities Administrators, the NYSE American, the TSX, and the Financial Accounting Standards Boards, and more specifically, our efforts to comply with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.Act and the newly adopted SEC mining disclosure rules.

 

This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company’s forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and actual achievements of the Company or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, without limitation, those referred to in Trilogy’s annual report on Form 10-K dated February 11, 2019, filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and the SEC, on February 2, 2018, and other information released by Trilogy and filed with the appropriate regulatory agencies.

 

The Company’s forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management’s beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, except as required by law. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

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Cautionary note to United States investors

Reserve and resource estimates

 

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. Unless otherwise indicated, all resource and reserve estimates included in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis have been prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators which 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 SEC, and resource and reserve information contained herein may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by U.S. companies. In particular, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term “resource” does not equate to the term “reserves”. Under U.S. 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 U.S. standards in documents filed with the SEC. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves. U.S. investors should also understand that “inferred mineral resources” have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an “inferred mineral resource” will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimated “inferred mineral resources” may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an “inferred mineral resource” exists or is economically or legally mineable. Disclosure of “contained ounces” in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute “reserves” by SEC standards as in-place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. The requirements of NI 43-101 for identification of “reserves” are also not the same as those of the SEC, and reserves reported by the Company in compliance with NI 43-101 may not qualify as “reserves” under SEC standards. Accordingly, information concerning mineral deposits set forth herein may not be comparable with information made public by companies that report in accordance with U.S. standards.

General

 

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) of Trilogy Metals Inc. (“Trilogy”, “Trilogy Metals”, “the Company” or “we”) is dated October 4, 20188, 2019 and provides an analysis of our unaudited interim financial results for the quarter ended August 31, 20182019 compared to the quarter ended August 31, 2017.2018.

 

The following information should be read in conjunction with our August 31, 20182019 unaudited interim consolidated financial statements and related notes including recent accounting pronouncements, which were prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The MD&A should also be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes for the year ended November 30, 2017.2018. A summary of the U.S. GAAP accounting policies is outlined in note 2 of the audited consolidated financial statements. All amounts are in United States dollars unless otherwise stated. References to “Canadian dollars” and “C$” and “CDN$” are to the currency of Canada and references to “U.S. dollars”, “$” or “US$” are to the currency of the United States.

 

Andrew W. West, P.Geo., an employee and Exploration Manager, of Trilogy, is a Qualified Person under National InstrumentNI 43-101, -Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”), and has approved the scientific and technical information in this MD&A.

 

Trilogy’s shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) and the NYSE American Stock Exchange (“NYSE American”) under the symbol “TMQ”. Additional information related to Trilogy, including our annual report on Form 10-K, is available on SEDAR atwww.sedar.com and on EDGAR atwww.sec.gov.

 

Description of business

 

We are ana base metals exploration company focused on exploring and developing our base, precious and critical metal mineral holdings in the Ambler mining district located in Alaska, U.S.A. We conduct our operations through a wholly-owned subsidiary, NovaCopper US Inc., which is doing business as Trilogy Metals US (“Trilogy Metals US”). Our Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects, (“UKMP” or “UKMP Projects”), consist of: i) the 100% owned Ambler lands which host the Arctic copper-zinc-lead-gold-silver Project (the “Arctic Project”); and ii) the Bornite lands being explored under a collaborative long-term agreement with NANA Regional Corporation, Inc. (“NANA”), a regional Alaska Native Corporation, which host the Bornite carbonate-hosted copper Project (the “Bornite Project”).

 

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Project activitiesCorporate developments

 

Arctic ProjectAppointment of Interim CEO

In a press release dated January 18, 2018,September 5, 2019, we announced the resignation of Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse as CEO, President and director of Trilogy Metals and the appointment of James Gowans as President and CEO on an interim basis.Mr. Van Nieuwenhuyse will remain as a consultant to the Company announced additional in-fill drill resultsuntil January 31, 2020 and will assist with transitional matters and with advancing the Company’s interests in Alaska. Mr. Gowans is a director of the Company and was President and CEO of Arizona Mining Inc. from 2016 to 2018 when Arizona Mining was purchased by South32 Limited. Previously he was a Senior Advisor to the Chairman, Co-President and EVP and COO at its Arctic ProjectBarrick Gold Corporation from 2014 to 2015. Mr. Gowans has extensive experience in Alaska. He completed the 2017 field program which included 785.2 meters of diamond drilling to collect representative sample material to conduct bulk ore sorting studiesfeasibility study for the Arctic deposit. An additional 273.8 metersRed Dog Mine, oversaw the design and construction of sonic drilling was completed to collect geotechnical, hydrological, geothermal (permafrost),that mine and hydrogeological informationthen operated Red Dog for the tailings management facilities and waste rock dump for the project in support of the Pre-Feasibility Study titled “Arctic Project, Northwest Alaska, USA, NI 43-101 Technical Report on Pre-Feasibility Study” with an effective date of February 20, 2018 and a release date of April 6, 2018 (the “Arctic PFS”).three years after commissioning.

 

In a press release dated February 20, 2018, the Company announced the resultsExercise of its Arctic PFS. These results convert indicated mineral resources at Arctic to probable mineral reserves.

Highlights of the Arctic PFS study are as follows:

·Pre-tax Net Present Value (“NPV”)8% of $1,935.2 million calculated at the beginning of the three-year construction period and an Internal Rate of Return (“IRR”) of 38.0% for the base case.
·After-tax NPV8% of $1,412.7 million and after-tax IRR of 33.4% for the base case.
·Initial capital expenditure of $779.6 million and sustaining capital of $65.9 million for total estimated capital expenditures of $845.5 million over the estimated 12-year mine life. In addition, closure and reclamation costs are estimated at $65.3 million.
·Estimated pre-tax and after-tax payback of initial capital within 2 years for the base case at $3.00/lb copper. At $2.00/lb copper, pre-tax and after-tax payback of initial capital is 3 years.
·Minimum 12-year mine life supporting a maximum 10,000 tonne-per-day conventional grinding mill-and-flotation circuit to produce copper, zinc and lead concentrates containing significant gold and silver by-products.
·Life of mine strip ratio of 6.9 to 1.
·Average annual payable production projected to be more than 159 million pounds of copper, 199 million pounds of zinc, 33 million pounds of lead, 30,600 ounces of gold and 3.3 million ounces of silver for life of mine.
·A capital intensity ratio on initial capital of approximately $6,200 per tonne of average annual copper equivalent produced.
·Estimated cash costs of $0.15/lb of payable copper (C1 cash costs include on-site mining and processing costs, road tolls and maintenance, transport, royalties, and is net of by-product credits).
·Total “all-in” cash costs (initial/sustaining capital, operating, transportation, treatment and refining charges, road toll, and by-product metal credits) estimated at $0.63/lb of payable copper.
·Economic indicators justify moving forward with permitting and a feasibility study.

The Arctic PFS was prepared under National Instrument 43-101 standards by independent consultant, Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc. (“Ausenco”) of Vancouver, Canada and the full technical report was filed on SEDAR on April 6, 2018 and on EDGAR on April 12, 2018. The Company also engaged Amec Foster Wheeler (“Amec”) to complete mine planning and SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. (“SRK”) to complete tailings and waste design, hydrology and water management studies. Please see the Arctic PFS for additional information on the Arctic Project.

In a press release dated May 29, 2018, the Company announced that our board of directors approved a $6.7 million budget to advance the Arctic Project towards feasibility and permitting. The focus of the Arctic work program for the remainder of the year is to be on geotechnical and hydrological engineering studies at the Project’s proposed waste and tailings sites with the objective to advance the engineering design for these facilities to a feasibility level of study. Approximately 25geotechnical and hydrological drill holes have recently been completed to support this effort. The Company also expects to gather extensive environmental data for a variety of studies to support the anticipated submission of a mine permit application in 2019.Warrants

 

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Bornite ProjectDuring the three-month period ended August 31, 2019, all our outstanding warrants were exercised. Three of the Company’s largest shareholders exercised 6,521,740 in outstanding warrants. As a result of the warrant exercise, we issued a total of 6,521,740 common shares of the Company and received cash proceeds of approximately $9.9 million. 

 

In a press release dated December 4, 2017, the Company announced the final set of drill results at the BorniteOutlook & Project from the 2017 exploration drill program and in a press release dated January 10, 2018, the Company announced the results of a metallurgical test work program demonstrating that a high quality, 30% copper concentrate containing no deleterious metals can be produced at the currently defined in-pit resource at the Bornite Project.activities

 

In a press release dated December 14, 2017, the Company announced that South32 LimitedAmbler Mining District Industrial Access Project (“South32”AMDIAP”) had committed to fund the second tranche of $10 million under an Option Agreement on the UKMP entered into on April 10, 2017 (“Option Agreement”). The funds necessary to maintain the Option Agreement in good standing were fully received during the first quarter. On May 3, 2018 the Company announced work had been initiated to estimate a cobalt resource for the Bornite Project and on June 5, 2018 the Company announced a maiden cobalt resource and a full technical report titled “NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Bornite Project, Northeast Alaska, USA” (the “Bornite Project”) was filed on SEDAR and EDGAR on July 20, 2018 with the following highlights:

·At a base case 0.50% copper cut-off grade, and within the combined Indicated and Inferred Cu resource pit shell, the Bornite Project is estimated to contain in-pit Inferred Resources of 124.6 million tonnes grading 0.017% Co containing 45 million pounds of cobalt (see Table 1 for details).
·Below the resource limiting pit shell and at a base case cut-off grade of 1.5% copper, the Bornite Project is estimated to contain additional Inferred Resources of 57.8 million tonnes grading 0.025% Co containing 32 million pounds of cobalt.
·Total Inferred Resources (in-pit and below-pit) of 182.4 million tonnes grading 0.019% Co for 77 million pounds of contained cobalt (see Table 1 for details).

Table 1: Estimate of Cobalt Mineral Resources for the Bornite Deposit

Type 

Cut-off

(Cu%)

  

Tonnes

(million)

  

Average Grade

Co (%)

  

Contained Metal

Co (Mlbs)

 
In-Pit  0.5   124.6   0.017   45 
Below-Pit  1.5   57.8   0.025   32 
Total Inferred      182.4   0.019   77 

1.Resources stated as contained within a pit shell developed using a metal price of $3.00/lb Cu, mining costs of $2.00/tonne, milling costs of $11/tonne, G&A cost of $5.00/tonne, 87% metallurgical recoveries and an average pit slope of 43 degrees.
2.Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or any part of the Mineral Resources will be converted into Mineral Reserves.
3.U.S. investors should also understand that “inferred mineral resources” have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred mineral resources could be upgraded to Indicated mineral resources with additional exploration.

Please see the Bornite Report for additional information on the Bornite Project.

In a press release dated August 23, 2018,2019, we announced the Company announced its firstpublic release of the draft Environmental Impact Statement (“EIS”) for the Ambler access road by the United States Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”). This is a critical milestone for the permitting of the AMDIAP in relation to further exploration and development of the Ambler Mining District. The BLM, which is the lead agency for the permitting of the AMDIAP, has now completed the draft EIS which has been posted on the BLM website. The next step is a public comment period. Comments on the draft EIS will be accepted through October 29, 2019.

Arctic Project

During the third quarter ended August 31, 2019, we drilled 11 holes at the Arctic Project resulting in approximately 2,411 meters drilled, utilizing two rigs from Tuuq Drilling LLC (“Tuuq”). Tuuq is owned by NANA Development Corporation. We anticipate announcing drill results from the 2018 exploration2019 Arctic drill program during the fourth quarter of 2019. Work at the Bornite Project.Arctic deposit commenced in late June with a view of completing feasibility level geotechnical and hydrology work. The Company received, on an expedited basis, initial assaymain goal of this year’s work program was to complete engineering and environmental studies to prepare a NI 43-101 compliant feasibility study which results from drill hole RC18-0247. At a copper cut-off grade of 1.5%, RC18-0247 contains an interval of 16.4 metres grading 5.34% copper and 0.21% cobalt. The mineralized interval was intersected at a depth of 791.9 metres (total mineralized interval was between 791.9 metresare anticipated to 808.3 metres). The high-grade mineralized zone in RC18-0247 consists of massive chalcopyrite occurring as breccia infill with intergrown pyrite and within dolomite-quartz veins as centimetre scale blebs. Bornite and chalcocite mineralization replace chalcopyrite within the breccia matrixbe released in the highest-grade intervals from 795.9first half of 2020. Work is also being done to 799.3 metresprepare the Arctic Project for permitting, which we expect to commence in 2020. The permitting preparation work being carried out will support Federal, State and 803.9 to 808.3 metres. Large (4 to 10 centimetres wide) carbonate/quartz veins also host a chalcopyrite-bornite-chalcocite mineral assemblage. Massive cobaltiferous pyrite occurs as 10 to 20-centimetre-wide stringers between the two higher grade zones. The Company also announced that South32 had agreed to increase its contributions to this year’s Bornite drilling program by funding an additional $800,000 to the Company. The additional funding will reduce South32’s 2019 minimum exploration budget commitment of $10 million to $9.2 million. The $800,000 has allowed the Company to add two drill rigs to the Bornite program that completed four holes totaling approximately 2,170 metres.

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Corporate developments

Financing

On April 16, 2018, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement with a syndicate of underwriters (the "Underwriters") led by Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation, acting as sole lead underwriter and book-running manager, and including Cormark Securities Inc., BMO Capital Markets and Roth Capital Partners, LLC, under which the Underwriters agreed to buy, on a bought deal underwritten basis, 21,551,724 common shares of the Company at a price of $1.16 per common share for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $25 million (the "Offering"). On April 20, 2018, we announced the closing of the Offering of 24,784,482 common shares, including the exercise in full by the Underwriters of the over-allotment option, at a price of $1.16 per common share for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $28.7 million.Borough permitting requirements.

 

Certain large shareholders participated in the Offering with South32 purchasing approximately 40% or $11.5 million, Electrum Strategic Opportunities Fund L.P. taking approximately 20% or $5.8 million, The Baupost Group LLC taking approximately 10% or $2.8 million, and Selz Capital LLC taking approximately 4% or $1.2 million of the common shares. South32’s involvement in this financing represented the maximum allocation of their rights to participate, to a minimum of 20% to a maximum of 40%, in future financings, private or public, subject to a maximum aggregate ownership of 19.9% in the Company.Bornite Project

 

The Company intendsmain goal of the 2019 drill program was to usedrill approximately 8,000 meters within 12 holes, including both infill and expansion drilling. Exploration activities commenced at the net proceeds from the Offering for an anticipated periodbeginning of three years (i)June with 7,598 meters of drilling completed through to finance advancing the Arctic Project towards feasibility and permitting, (ii) for exploration in the Ambler mining district, and (iii) for general corporate purposes.

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of shareholders was held on May 15, 2018.August 31, 2019. In a press release dated May 15, 2018,September 10, 2019, we were pleased to report all directors nominated byannounced assay results on 4 holes comprising approximately 3,014 meters from the Company and standing for election were resoundingly elected by shareholdersrecently completed 7,610-meter drill campaign. We anticipate announcing further drill results from the 2019 Bornite drill program during the fourth quarter of the Company.2019.

 

Additions toRegional Exploration

District-wide Versatile Time Domain Electromagnetic (“VTEM”) and Z – Axis Tipper Electromagnetic (“ZTEM”) helicopter airborne geophysical surveys were completed this spring along the Senior Management Teamentire 100-kilometer long belt of the favorable stratigraphy hosting known polymetallic volcanogenic-massive sulphide (“VMS”) deposits, as well as the areas around the Bornite deposit and the surrounding Cosmos Hills area. The surveys were flown by Geotech Ltd. and the data is currently being re-processed by Resource Potential PTY Ltd. The new VTEM and ZTEM surveys have been integrated into our dataset of historical drilling accumulated over a 40-year period of exploration, all of which have been geo-referenced into an integrated GIS database.

 

On May 31, 2018, we announced the additions of Patrick (“Pat”) Donnelly as Vice President, Corporate Communications and Development and Robert (“Bob”) Jacko as Vice President, Projects to the Company’s senior management team.

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Outlook

The 2018 program and budget at the Bornite Project of $10 million, which includes in-fill and off-setexploration drilling to better define and expand the high - grade copper resources at Bornite, was increasedcompleted during the quarter to $10.8 million with a focus on adding additional drilling towards the end of the field program. Camp opened during mid-May and a seismic program was completed in early June. Results from the seismic program have now been received and the technical teams at the Company and South32 intend to meet later this year to review and analyze the information collected.

Three drill rigs started up in June to complete a planned field program of approximately 8,000 meters of drilling. Two drill rigs were added towards the end of the field season for an additional 1,500 to 2,100 meters of drilling. Initial assay resultstargeted the Sunshine prospect, which is approximately eight miles (13 kilometers) from hole RC18-0247 were released inthe Arctic Project. In a press release dated August 23, 2018 withSeptember 10, 2019, we announced assay results for one drill hole from the Sunshine prospect comprising 161 meters of the 1,357 meter, six-hole drill campaign at this prospect. We anticipate announcing further drill results from the remainder2019 regional exploration program during the fourth quarter of the drilling program anticipated to be released throughout the fall. Drilling at the Bornite Project completed on September 19, 2018.

The 2018 program and budget at the Arctic Project of $6.7 million includes the work performed to date on the Arctic PFS and work to advance the Arctic Project towards feasibility and permitting. In May 2018, the Company completed an ore sorting test at the Steinert facility in Walton, Kentucky and a summary report has been received from Steinert. The Company and Ausenco are reviewing operating and capital cost implications of incorporating ore sorting into the overall design to decide if ore sorting will be included into the final feasibility design or not. Results from this review are expected by the end of the year. One drill started up in June at Arctic to collect feasibility level geotechnical and hydrological data for the tailings dam and waste storage facility sites identified in the Arctic PFS. Approximately 695 meters of geotechnical and hydrological drilling was completed. Engineering studies are planned to include additional metallurgical, tailings and waste dump design, water treatment and water balance studies to support permitting and the feasibility study. In addition, we continue to collect baseline environmental data on hydrology, meteorology and archeology. We are preparing for the submission of permits for the Arctic mine in 2019.

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We will be continuing to work closely with The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (“AIDEA”) (the proponent for the Ambler Mining District Industrial Access Project (“AMDIAP”)) to advance the permitting process on the AMDIAP throughout 2018. On April 30, 2018 the Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) released the Ambler Road Environmental Impact Statement Scoping Summary Report. Permitting of the AMDIAP under the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”) Environmental Impact Statement (“EIS”) process has now concluded the “Scoping Phase” of permitting and has moved to the “Draft EIS Phase”. Per the BLM’s website, the Draft EIS is scheduled to be released for public comment by the end of March 2019.

 

Property review

 

Our principal assets, the UKMP Projects, are located in the Ambler mining district in Northwest Alaska. Our UKMP Projects comprise approximately 355,323355,400 acres (143,794(143,825 hectares) consisting of the Ambler and Bornite lands.

Option Agreement

On April 10, 2017, Trilogy and Trilogy Metals US entered into an Option Agreement to form a Joint Venture with South32 Group Operations Pty Ltd. (“South32 Operations”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of South32 Limited, on the UKMP (the “Option Agreement”), which agreement was later assigned by South32 Operations to its affiliate, South32 USA Exploration Inc. (together with South32 Operations, “South32”). Trilogy Metals US granted South32 the right to form a 50/50 joint venture to hold all of Trilogy Metals US’ Alaskan assets. Upon exercise of the option, Trilogy Metals US will transfer its Alaskan assets, including the UKMP, and South32 will contribute a minimum of $150 million to a newly formed limited liability company (“JV LLC”), plus any amounts Trilogy Metals US spends at the Arctic Project over the next three years to a maximum of $5 million per year (the “Subscription Price”), less an amount of the initial funding contributed by South32.

To maintain the option in good standing, South32 is required to fund a minimum of $10 million per year for up to a three year period, which funds will be used to execute a mutually agreed upon program at the UKMP. The funds provided by South32 may only be expended based on the approved program. Provided that all the exploration data and information has been made available to South32 by no later than December 31 of each year, South32 must decide by the end of January of the following year whether: (i) to fund a further tranche of a minimum of $10 million, or (ii) to withdraw and not provide any further annual funding. If the election to fund a further tranche is not made in January, South32 has until the end of March to exercise the option to form the JV LLC and make the subscription payment.

 

Arctic Project

 

The Ambler lands, which host a number ofseveral deposits, including the high-grade copper-zinc-lead-gold-silver Arctic Project, and other mineralized targets within a 100-kilometer-long volcanogenic massive sulfide (“VMS”)VMS belt, are owned by NovaCopper US. The Ambler lands are located in Northwestern Alaska and consist of 114,500 acres (46,337 hectares) of Federal patented mining claims and State of Alaska mining claims, within which VMS mineralization has been found.

 

We have recorded the Ambler lands as a mineral property with acquisition costs capitalized and exploration costs expensed in accordance with our accounting policies.

 

Bornite Project

 

On October 19, 2011, Trilogy Metals US and NANA signed a collaborative agreement to explore and develop the Ambler mining district. Under the Exploration Agreement and Option to Lease (the “NANA Agreement”), we acquired, in exchange for, among other things, a $4.0 million cash payment to NANA, the exclusive right to explore the Bornite Project property and lands deeded to NANA through the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (“ANCSA”), located adjacent to the Arctic Project, and the non-exclusive right to access and entry onto NANA’s lands. The agreement establishes a framework for any future development of either the Bornite Project or the Arctic Project. Both projects are included as part of a larger area of interest set forth in the NANA Agreement. The agreement with NANA created a total land package incorporating our Ambler lands with the adjacent Bornite and ANCSA lands with a total area of approximately 355,323355,400 acres (143,794(143,825 hectares).

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Upon the decision to proceed with development of a mine within the area of interest, NANA maintains the right to purchase an ownership interest in the mine equal to a range between 16%-25% or retain a 15% net proceeds royalty which is payable after we have recovered certain historical costs, including capital and cost of capital. Should NANA elect to purchase an ownership interest in the mine, consideration will be payable based on the elected percentage purchased and all the costs incurred on the properties less $40.0 million, not to be less than zero. The parties would form a joint venture and be responsible for all future costs incurred in connection with the mine, including capital costs of the mine, based on each party’s pro-rata share.

 

NANA would also be granted a net smelter return royalty between 1% and 2.5% upon the execution of a mining lease or a surface use agreement, the amount of which is determined by the particular area of land from which production originates.

 

We have accounted for the Bornite Projectproperty as a mineral property with acquisition costs capitalized and exploration costs expensed in accordance with our accounting policies.

 

South32 Option Agreement

On April 10, 2017, Trilogy and Trilogy Metals US entered into an Option Agreement to form a Joint Venture with South32 Group Operations Pty Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of South32 Limited, which agreement was later assigned by South32 Operations to its affiliate, South32 USA Exploration Inc. (“South32”) on the UKMP (“Option Agreement”). Under the terms of the Option Agreement, as amended, Trilogy Metals US granted South32 the right to form a 50/50 joint venture to hold all of Trilogy Metals US’ Alaskan assets. Upon exercise of the option, Trilogy Metals US will transfer its Alaskan assets, including the UKMP, and South32 will contribute a minimum of $150 million, to a newly formed and jointly held, limited liability company (“LLC”).


To maintain the option in good standing, South32 is required to fund a minimum of $10 million per year for up to a three-year period, which funds will be used to execute a mutually agreed upon program at the UKMP. The funds provided by South32 may only be expended in accordance with an approved program by a technical committee with equal representation from Trilogy and South32. South32 may exercise its option at any time over the three-year period to enter into the 50/50 joint venture. To subscribe for 50% of the JV, South32 must contribute a minimum of $150 million, plus (i) any amounts Trilogy spends on matched parallel funding to a maximum of $16 million over the three year period and (ii) $5 million if the option is exercised between April 1, 2018 and March 31, 2019 or $10 million if the option is exercised between April 1, 2019 and the expiration date of the option, less the amount of the initial funding contributed by South32 (the “Subscription Price”). South32 has now funded the full three-year option period. South32 has until the end of January 2020 to exercise the option to form the JV LLC and make the subscription payment.

Option Funding Phase

Provided that all the exploration data and information has been made available to South32 by no later than December 31 of each year, South32 must decide by the end of January of the following year whether; (i) to fund a further tranche of a minimum of $10 million, or (ii) to withdraw and not provide any further annual funding. In years 1 and 2, if the election to fund a further tranche is not made in January, South32 has until the end of March to exercise the option to form the LLC and make the subscription payment. If South32 elects to exercise the option, the Subscription Price shall be paid in one tranche within 45 business days. Should South32 not make its annual minimum payment or elect to withdraw, the option will lapse and South32 will have no claim to ownership or the funds it had already spent. The option payment for the first year was paid by South32 in April 2017 and expended on the Year 1 exploration program at the Bornite Project. Early in December 2017, South32 committed to fund the $10 million 2018 program for the Bornite Project. The funds, which represent the second tranche, maintain the Option Agreement in good standing, and were fully received on January 24, 2018. An additional $0.80 million was received during the year ended November 30, 2018 from South32 as an advance on the year three funding.

On January 31, 2019, we announced the 2019 program and budgets with South32 committing to fund the $9.2 million budget for the Bornite Project. The funds, which represent the third and final tranche, maintain the Option Agreement in good standing, and were fully received during the quarter ended February 28, 2019.

Subscription Funding Phase

At any time during the option funding phase of the agreement, South32 may elect to subscribe for a 50% interest in a newly formed LLC which will take transfer of, and hold, Trilogy Metals US’ Alaskan assets. As part of the Subscription Price, South32 will match any spending expended by us at the Arctic Project over 3 years (2017, 2018 and 2019), to a cumulative maximum of $16 million. Depending on when the option is exercised, certain amounts of the Initial Funding will be deducted from the Subscription Price.

Trilogy currently estimates that the Subscription Price would fund the UKMP through feasibility and the permitting of the first mine to be developed in the Ambler mining district. Once the full amount of the subscription payment of approximately $150 million is expended, the parties will contribute funding pro rata, as contemplated by the operating agreement which will govern the LLC (the “LLC Agreement”). The LLC Agreement anticipates a General Manager, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating and Technical Officer to be appointed by the LLC’s Board, which will have equal representation from Trilogy and South32.

As the initial option payments received to date are credited against the future subscription price upon exercise, we have accounted for the payments received as deferred consideration. At such time as the option is exercised, the initial payments received to that date will be recognized as part of the consideration received for our contribution of the Alaska assets, including the UKMP, into the joint venture. If South 32 withdraws from the Option Agreement, the consideration will be recognized in the statement of loss at that time.


Summary of results

in thousands of dollars,

except for per share amounts

 Three months ended  Nine months ended  Three months ended Nine months ended 
Selected expenses 

August 31, 2018

$

 

August 31, 2017

$

 

August 31, 2018

$

 

August 31, 2017

$

  

August 31, 2019
$

  

August 31, 2018
$

  

August 31, 2019
$

  

August 31, 2018
$

 
General and administrative  376   273   1,175   1,050   435   376   1,363   1,175 
Mineral properties expense  9,051   8,471   12,657   10,407   10,951   9,051   15,392   12,657 
Professional fees  13   86   286   404   414   13   658   286 
Salaries  286   218   738   683   272   286   835   738 
Salaries – stock-based compensation  204   104   1,277   603   402   204   3,005   1,277 
Investor relations  59   107   261   263   164   59   456   261 
Loss and comprehensive loss for the period  9,920   8,992   16,530   14,378   12,535   9,920   21,380   16,530 
Basic and diluted loss per common share $0.08  $0.09  $0.14  $0.14  $0.09  $0.08  $0.16  $0.14 

 

For the three - month period ended August 31, 2019, Trilogy reported a net loss of $12.5 million (or $0.09 basic and diluted loss per common share) which was higher than the net loss of $9.9 million for the comparative period in 2018 (or $0.08 basic and diluted loss per common share). This variance was primarily due to an increase in mineral properties expense due to the size, scope and timing of the field program versus the comparative three – month period.

The $1.9 million difference in mineral properties expense consists of the following changes. During the three months ended August 31, 2018,2019, we completed 2,411 meters (2018 – 593 meters) of drilling at the Arctic project, 7,598 meters (2018 – 7,707 meters) at the Bornite project and executed a new regional exploration drilling program of approximately 1,357 meters. As a result, we incurred increased drilling costs of $1.1 million and increased project supporting costs of $0.6 million (including camp operation, logistics and personnel). The remaining variance in mineral properties expense consists of an increase of $0.4 million in engineering costs related to the feasibility study and the geotechnical study for the Arctic project, an increase of $0.1 million in geochemistry costs associated with drill assay testing, all offset by a $0.3 million decrease in geophysics and environment related costs.

Other differences noted for the comparable periods were: i) a slight increase in general and administrative expenses in the current period; ii) an increase of $0.4 million in professional fees due to increased legal fees; iii) an increase of $0.2 million in stock-based compensation due to a higher share price contributing to a higher fair value vesting for previously granted stock options, RSUs and DSUs; and iv) an increase of $0.1 million in investor relations expenses due to our increased level of marketing activity including attendance at more investor conferences and meetings in the current period.

For the nine - month period ended August 31, 2019, Trilogy reported a net loss of $9.9$21.4 million (or $0.08$0.16 basic and diluted loss per common share) compared to a net loss of $9.0$16.5 million for the corresponding period in 2017 (or $0.09 basic and diluted loss per common share). This variance was primarily due to the difference in mineral properties expense due to the size and timing of the field programs. An increase of $0.6 million of mineral property expenses occurred during the three months ended August 31, 2018 compared to the three months ended August 31, 2017.

Other differences noted for the comparable periods were i) an increase in general and administrative expenses to support the increased field program at the UKMP; ii) a slight decrease in professional fees as legal fees associated with an equity financing in the second quarter have all been capitalized under share issue costs; iii) an increase in salaries and stock-based compensation due to new hires in the quarter as well as the granting of additional stock options and iv) a decrease in investor relations expenses as costs associated with the analyst tours of the projects have been captured under general and administrative expenses.

The basic and diluted loss per common share of $0.08 for the three months ended August 31, 2018 has decreased from the basic and diluted loss per common share of $0.09 for the three months ended August 31, 2017 due primarily by the activities affecting the loss for the period as described above, offset by an increase in the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the three months ended August 31, 2018.

For the nine months ended August 31, 2018, Trilogy reported a net loss of $16.5 million (or $0.14 basic and diluted loss per common share) compared to a net loss of $14.4.

The $2.7 million for the corresponding periodincrease in 2017 (or $0.14 basic and diluted loss per common share). This variance was primarily duemineral properties expense in relation to the increased activity level at our projects which are recorded as mineral properties expense. An increase of $2.3 million of mineral property expenses occurred during thecomparative nine months ended August 31, 2018 compared to the nine months ended August 31, 2017 due to the work performed for the Arctic PFS in 2018 with no comparable activity in 2017. Similar to the activity levels for the three months ended August 31, 2018, other differences noted relate to i) a small increase in general and administrative expenses; ii) a decrease in professional fees as legal costs related to the financing completed on April 20, 2018 are recorded as issuance costs in shareholders equity; iii) and a slight increase in salaries due to new hires as well as a significant increase in stock based compensation due to the accelerated amortization of new options that were granted during the nine- month period ended August 31, 2018.

The basic2018 consist of the following changes. Due to the increased size and diluted loss per common sharescope of $0.14the 2019 field program, we drilled 3,066 more meters for the nine - months ended August 31, 2018 is consistent with2019 in contrast to the basiccomparative period, resulting in an increase of $1.1 million in drilling costs. Project support and diluted loss per common sharepersonnel costs increased by $1.1 million and includes $0.5 million in VTEM and ZTEM airborne survey costs, for which there are no prior year comparatives. The remaining variance in mineral properties expense consists of $0.14an increase of $0.5 million in engineering costs and an increase of $0.3 million in geochemistry costs, all offset by a decrease of $0.3 million in geophysics costs.

Other differences noted for the comparable periods were: i) an increase of $0.2 million in general and administration costs primarily due to increased stock exchange fees, office computer hardware and software, and travel costs; ii) a slight increase in salaries; iii) an increase of $0.2 million in investor relations expenses due to our increased level of marketing activity including attendance at more investor conferences and meetings during the nine months- month period ended August 31, 2017. The operating activities increasing the loss as described above have been offset by the dilutive effect of2019; iv) an increase of $0.4 million in the weighted average numberprofessional fees due to increased legal fees; and v) an increase of shares outstanding for$1.7 million in stock-based compensation due to a higher share price contributing to a greater fair value amortization of stock options, RSUs and DSUs granted during the nine months- month period ended August 31, 2018.2019.

 

23

Selected financial data

 

Quarterly information

in thousands of dollars,

except per share amounts

 Q3 2018  Q2 2018  Q1 2018  Q4 2017  Q3 2017  Q2 2017  Q1 2017  Q4 2016  Q3 2019  Q2 2019  Q1 2019  Q4 2018  Q3 2018  Q2 2018  Q1 2018  Q4 2017 
 

08/31/18

$

 

05/31/18

$

 

02/28/18

$

 

11/30/17

$

 

08/31/17

$

 

05/31/17

$

 

02/28/17

$

 

11/30/16

$

  08/31/19
$
 05/31/19
$
  02/28/19
$
  11/30/18
$
  08/31/18
$
  05/31/18
$
  02/28/17
$
  11/30/17
$
 
Interest and other income  135   77   17   13   23   12   11   10   137   150   122   117   135   77   17   13 
Mineral property expenses  9,051   2,475   1,131   4,693   8,471   1,297   639   970   10,951   2,906   1,535   3,833   9,051   2,475   1,131   4,693 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations for the period  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   4,561 
Earnings (loss) for the period  (9,920)  (3,664)  (2,946)  (6,726)  (8,992)  (2,390)  (2,996)  2,736   (12,535)  (4,509)  (4,336)  (5,319)  (9,920)  (3,664)  (2,946)  (6,726)
Earnings (loss) per common share – basic and diluted  (0.08)  (0.03)  (0.03)  (0.06)  (0.09)  (0.02)  (0.03)  0.03   (0.09)  (0.04)  (0.03)  (0.04)  (0.08)  (0.03)  (0.03)  (0.06)

 

Factors that can cause fluctuations in our quarterly results include the length of the exploration field season at the properties, the type of program conducted, stock option vesting, and issuance of shares. Realized and unrealized losses or gains on held for trading investments had significant movements period-to-period which affect the quarterly earnings or loss for the period. The investments consisted of common shares and warrants in GoldMining Inc. (“GMI”) acquired as consideration for the sale of Sunward Investments Limited (“Sunward”) and its Titiribi gold-copper exploration project in Colombia on September 1, 2016. All shares of GMI were disposed of during the quarter ended August 31, 2018 and had a negligible impact on the loss for the period as the unrealized accounting losses offset the realized gains on disposition. Other factors that have caused fluctuations in the quarterly results that would not be expected to re-occur include the acquisition and disposition of SunwardGold Mining Inc. (“GMI”) shares (which were not fully disposed of in the fourth quarter of 2016fiscal 2018) and financing activities in the second quarter of 2018.activities.

 

Our loss forof $12.5 million during the third quarter ended August 31, 2019 is significantly higher than the second quarter ended May 31, 2019, primarily due to mineral property expenditures. During the quarter ended August 31, 2019, mineral properties expense increased by $8.0 million when compared to the prior quarter, reflecting the increased activity at the projects as the 2019 drilling program became fully operational. The current period loss is $2.6 million higher than the third quarter ended August 31, 2018, primarily due to an increase in the size and scope of $9.9the 2019 field season resulting in an increase in mineral properties expenditures of $1.9 million is a significant increase fromand $0.4 million additional professional fees in the secondcurrent period.

During the quarter ended May 31, 2018 and is primarily due to2019, mineral property expenditures. Mineral property expenditures duringexpense increased by $1.4 million when compared to the thirdprior quarter were $6.6as we prepared for the commencement of the 2019 drill program and field season. Our loss of $4.5 million more thanfor the second quarter ended May 31, 2018 reflecting2019 is consistent with the increased activity at both projectsprior quarter as the drilling program became fully operationalincrease in the second quarter mineral property expenses were offset by higher first quarter stock-based compensation due to the fair value amortization of new option grants during the thirdfirst quarter. These costs were off-set by a $0.2The loss during the three - month period ended May 31, 2019 was $0.9 million reduction in salaries and stock-based compensation, professional fees and general and administrative expenses, respectively.

Ourhigher when compared to the loss for the second quartercomparative three - month period ended May 31, 2018 of $3.7 million, has increased over the loss for the first quarter ended February 28, 2017 of $3.0 million due mostly to an increase in mineral property expenses related specifically to the work performed on the Arctic PFS results of which were released on February 20, 2018 with work related to writingproperties expense and filing of the technical report performed during the second quarter prior to filing on April 6, 2018. stock-based compensation.

Our loss for the first quarter ended February 28, 20182019 of $2.9$4.3 million was lower when compared to the two prior quarterly periods and reflects the seasonality of the mineral property expenses which are mostly incurred during the summer and fall field season. The $1.4 million increase in loss when compared to the first quarter ended February 28, 2018 is primarily due to higher first quarter 2019 stock-based compensation from the higher fair value amortization of new option grants during the first quarter of 2019.

 

Our loss forDuring the fourth quarter ended November 30, 2017 of $6.72018, we had a loss of $5.3 million and third quarter ended August 31, 2017 of $9.0 million respectively, significantly increased compared to prior quarterly periods due to the size and length of the 2017 field program which was more than double the 2016 field program. Thea loss of $6.7 million forin the fourth quarter ended November 30, 2017 is significantly increased compared toof 2017. The primary drivers for the earningsdifference were $0.9 million lower mineral properties expenses, loss on disposition of $2.7investments of $0.8 million recognized forin the fourth quarter ended November 30, 2016. In 2016, a gain of $4.4 million was recognized on2017 for which the sale of Sunward Investments. The loss forcomparative is nil in the fourth quarter ended November 30, 2017 of $6.72018, all offset by $0.5 million alsoin increased significantly due to the length of the field program undertakensalaries benefits in 2017 which operated during the majority of the fourth quarter. In 2016, the field program did not extend into the fourth quarter and as such,2018. We incurred $3.8 million of mineral property expenses in the fourth quarter of $1.02018 compared to $4.7 million incurred were related to engineering and other desktop studies undertaken duringof mineral property expenses in the comparable period.fourth quarter of 2017 as the camp closed earlier in the 2018 program (October 13, 2018) versus the 2017 program (October 31, 2017).

 


Liquidity and capital resources

 

At August 31, 2018,2019, we had $30.5$26.9 million in cash and cash equivalents and working capital of $27.2$23.2 million. During the three-month period ended August 31, 2019, we received proceeds of approximately $9.9 million as a result of an exercise of 6,521,740 warrants.

The increase in cash and working capital was a result of fully receiving the $10.0$9.2 million Year 23 funding from South32, an additional $1.0 million for the regional exploration program and $9.9 million upon exercise of all warrants. These cash inflows were offset by $15.4 million in mineral properties expense, $3.3 million in cumulative general and administrative expenses, investor relations, professional fees, salaries and $2.5 million in cash savings from changes in net non-cash working capital. The increase in working capital for the period was a result of higher accounts payable and prepaid balances, offset by a higher accounts receivable balance as well as a $0.8 million third tranche advance and closing of a bought-deal financing for net proceeds of $26.9 million.at August 31, 2019.

 

We expended $14.6$15.8 million on operating activities during the nine months ended August 31, 20182019 compared with $9.1$14.6 million for operating activities for the same period in 2017. A majority of2018. Most cash spent on operating activities during all periods was expended on mineral property expenses, general and administrative costs, salaries and professional fees.

We continue to fund our cash expenditures through our working capital. As we are not currently in production, we will need to raise additional funds to support our operations and administration expenses in the future. Future sources of liquidity may include debt financing, equity financing, convertible debt, exercise of options, or other means. Our continued operations are dependent on our ability to obtain additional financing or to generate future cash flows.

All cash generated from investing activities during the nine months ended August 31, 2019 were from the South 32 Option Agreement funding of $10.2 million (2018 - $10.4 million) and there were no proceeds from the sale of investments (2018 - $2.3 million) as all GMI shares were full disposed during fiscal 2018. During the nine months ended August 31, 2018, we2019, $9.9 million in cash was generated $2.3 million (2017from financing activities (2018 - $2.2$26.9 million) in proceeds from the sale of investments. As at August 31, 2018 we have sold all 5 million GoldMining Inc. (“GMI”) shares for gross proceeds of C$7.6 million. The proceeds were used for general operating activities.

24

As at August 31, 2018 the Company continues to manage its cash expenditures and management believes that the working capital available is sufficient to meet its operational requirements for the next three years..

 

Contractual obligations

 

Contractual obligated undiscounted cash flow requirements as at August 31, 20182019 are as follows.

inIn thousands of dollars

 

Total

$

 

< 1 Year

$

 

1–2 Years

$

 

2–5 Years

$

 

Thereafter

$

  

Total

$

  

<1 Year

$

  

1–2 Years

$

  

2–5 Years

$

  

Thereafter

$

 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  3,964   3,964   -   -   -   4,512   4,512   -   -   - 
Office lease  1,128   175   182   596   175   936   179   385   372   - 
Office and warehouse lease  125   57   68   -   - 
  5,092   4,139   182   596   175   5,573   4,748   453   372   - 

 

Off-balance sheet arrangements

 

We have no material off-balance sheet arrangements. The Company hasWe have lease commitments for office and warehouse spaces with a remaining total commitment of $1.1 million.

 

Outstanding share data

 

At October 4, 2018,8, 2019, we had 131,555,020140,003,741 common shares issued and outstanding. At October 4, 2018,8, 2019, we had outstanding 6,521,740 warrants with an exercise price of $1.52 each, 8,974,7689,295,600 stock options with a weighted-average exercise price of $0.62, 1,150,901$1.02. We also had, 1,137,485 deferred share units 400,002 restricted share units and(“DSUs”), 11,927 NovaGold deferred share units entitling the holder to receive one common share for every six NovaGold shares received.received, and 212,501 RSUs. Upon exercise of all the foregoing convertible securities, the Company would be required to issue an aggregate of 17,049,40010,647,468 common shares.

 

New accounting pronouncements

 

Certain recent accounting pronouncements have been included under note 2 in our August 31, 20182019 unaudited interim consolidated financial statements which are available on the Company’s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com and on the Company’s EDGAR profile at www.sec.gov.

22

 

Critical accounting estimates

 

The most critical accounting estimates upon which our financial status depends are those requiring estimates of the recoverability of our capitalized mineral properties, impairment of long-lived assets, accounting for business combinations, income taxes and valuation of stock-based compensation.

 

Mineral properties and development costs

 

All direct costs related to the acquisition of mineral property interests are capitalized. The acquisition of title to mineral properties is a complicated and uncertain process. The Company hasWe have taken steps, in accordance with industry standards, to verify the title to mineral properties in which it has an interest. Although the Company haswe have made efforts to ensure that legal title to itsour mining assets is properly recorded, there can be no assurance that such title will be secured indefinitely.

 

Impairment of long-lived assets

 

Management assesses the possibility of impairment in the carrying value of its long-lived assets whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of the asset or asset group may not be recoverable. Significant judgments are made in assessing the possibility of impairment. Management considers several factors in considering if an indicator of impairment has occurred, including but not limited to, indications of value from external sources, significant changes in the legal, business or regulatory environment, and adverse changes in the use or physical condition of the asset. These factors are subjective and require consideration at each period end. If an indicator of impairment is determined to exist, management calculates the estimated undiscounted future net cash flows relating to the asset or asset group using estimated future prices, mineral resources, and operating, capital and reclamation costs. When the carrying value of an asset exceeds the related undiscounted cash flows, the asset is written down to its estimated fair value, which is usually determined using discounted future cash flows. Management’s estimates of mineral prices, mineral resources, foreign exchange rates, production levels and operating capital and reclamation costs are subject to risk and uncertainties that may affect the determination of the recoverability of the long-lived asset. Income taxes

 

25

Income taxes

 

We must make estimates and judgments in determining the provision for income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits including interest and penalties. We are subject to income tax law in the United States and Canada. The evaluation of tax liabilities involving uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulation is based on factors such as changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, new audit activity, and effectively settled issues. The evaluation of an uncertain tax position requires significant judgment, and a change in such recognition would result in an additional charge to the income tax expense and liability.

 

Stock-based compensation

 

Compensation expense for options granted to employees, directors and certain service providers is determined based on estimated fair values of the options at the time of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which takes into account, as of the grant date, the fair market value of the shares, expected volatility, expected life, expected forfeiture rate, expected dividend yield and the risk-free interest rate over the expected life of the option. The use of the Black-Scholes option pricing model requires input estimation of the expected life of the option, volatility, and forfeiture rate which can have a significant impact on the valuation model, and resulting expense recorded.

 

South32 Option Agreement

The option to form the JV LLC is recognized as a financial instrument at inception of the arrangement with an initial fair value of $nil. This option is required to be re-measured at fair value at each reporting date with any changes in fair value recorded in loss for the period.

Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, deposits, investments, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities. The fair value of the financial instruments approximates their carrying value due to the short-term nature of their maturity. Our financial instruments initially measured at fair value and then held at amortized cost include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, deposits, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities. Our investments are held for trading and are marked-to-market at each period end with changes in fair value recorded to the statement of loss. Our financial instruments are subject to the following risks:

23

 

(e)(a)Currency risk

 

Currency risk is the risk of a fluctuation in financial asset and liability settlement amounts due to a change in foreign exchange rates. The Company operatesWe operate in the United States and Canada. The Company’sOur exposure to currency risk at August 31, 20182019 is limited to the Canadian dollar consisting of cash of C$1.0 million, deposit amountsCDN$205,000, accounts receivable of C$0.1 millionCDN$62,000 and accounts payable of C$0.5 million.CDN$1,283,000. Based on a 10% change in the US-Canadian exchange rate, assuming all other variables remain constant, the Company’sour net loss would change by approximately $0.1 million.$76,000.

 

(f)(b)Credit risk

 

Credit risk is the risk of an unexpected loss if a customer or third party to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations. We hold cash and cash equivalents with Canadian Chartered financial institutions. Our accounts receivable consists of Canadian Goods and Services Tax receivable from the Federal Government of Canada and other receivables for recoverable expenses. Our exposure to credit risk is equal to the balance of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable as recorded in the financial statements.

 

(g)(c)Liquidity risk

 

Liquidity risk is the risk that we will encounter difficulties raising funds to meet our financial obligations as they fall due. We are in the exploration stage and do not have cash inflows from operations; therefore, we manage liquidity risk through the management of the capital structure and financial leverage. Future financingsfinancing may be obtained through debt financing, equity financing, sales of investments, convertible debt, exercise of options, or other means. Continued operations are dependent on our ability to obtain additional financing or to generate future cash flows. Our financing completed this year is disclosed under the section titled “Corporate Developments”. Our contractually obligated cash flow is disclosed under the section titled “Contractual Obligations.”

  

26

(h)(d)Interest rate risk

 

Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates. We are exposed to interest rate risk with respect to interest earned on cash and cash equivalents. Based on balances as at August 31, 2018,2019, a 1% change in interest rates would result in a change in net loss of $0.3$0.2 million, assuming all other variables remain constant.

 

As we are currently in the exploration phase, none of our financial instruments are exposed to commodity price risk; however, our ability to obtain long-term financing and its economic viability could be affected by commodity price volatility.

 

Additional information

Additional information regarding the Company, including our annual report on Form 10-K, is available on SEDAR atwww.sedar.com and EDGAR atwww.sec.gov and on our website atwww.trilogymetals.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference.

Item 4.Controls and Procedures

 

Management, with the participation of our President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of August 31, 2018.2019. On the basis of this review, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that the information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act) during the Company’s most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Any system of internal control over financial reporting, no matter how well designed, has inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

 

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.Item 1.Legal Proceedings

 

From time to time, we are a party to routine litigation and proceedings that are considered part of the ordinary course of its business. We are not aware of any material current, pending, or threatened litigation.

 

Item 1A. Item 1A.Risk Factors

 

Trilogy and its future business, operations and financial condition are subject to various risks and uncertainties due to the nature of its business and the present stage of exploration of its mineral properties. Certain of these risks and uncertainties are under the heading “Risk Factors” under Trilogy’s Form 10-K dated February 2, 2018,11, 2019, which is available on SEDARwww.sedar.comand EDGAR atwww.sec.govand on our website atwww.trilogymetals.com.

 

Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

None

 

Item 3.Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None.

 

Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures

 

These disclosures are not applicable to us.

 

Item 5.Other Information.

 

None.

 

Item 6.Exhibits

 

Exhibits

 

See Exhibit Index.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

Date: October 4, 20189, 2019TRILOGY METALS INC.
 
  
 By:/s/ Rick Van NieuwenhuyseJames Gowans 
  Rick Van NieuwenhuyseJames Gowans 
  President and Chief Executive Officer
   
 

By:/s/ Elaine M. Sanders
  Elaine M. Sanders
  Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

  

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No. Description
   
3.1 Certificate of Incorporation, dated April 27, 2011 (incorporated by reference Exhibit 99.2 to the Registration Statement on Form 40-F as filed on March 1, 2012, File No. 001-35447)
   
3.2 Articles of Trilogy Metals Inc., effective April 27, 2011, as altered March 20, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form 40-F as filed on April 19, 2012, File No. 001-35447)
   
3.3 

Notice of Articles and Certificate of Change of Name, dated September 1, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 8-K dated September 8, 2016)

   
31.1 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)
   
31.2 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)
   
32.1 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
   
32.2 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
   
101 Interactive Data Files
   
101.INS XBRL Instance Document
   
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
   
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
   
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
   
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
   
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

  

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