UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of June, 2006.
Commission File Number: 0-31108
EL NINO VENTURES INC.
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)
2303 WEST 41ST AVENUE VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA V6M 2A3
(Address of principal executive office)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20F or Form 40F
Form 20F __X___
Form 40F_____
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): _____
Note:
Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security holders.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): _____
Note:
Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized (the registrant’s “home country”), or under the rules of the home country exchange on which the registrant’s securities are traded, as long as the report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has not been distributed to the registrant’s security holders, and, if discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes: _____
No: __X___
If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ___________.
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.
___EL NINO VENTURES INC._____
Registrant
_____”Taryn Downing”____________
Taryn Downing (Corporate Secretary)
_____July 5, 2006_________________
Date
EL NINO VENTURES INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL 30, 2006 and 2005
(Canadian Dollars)
El Nino Ventures Inc. (An Exploration Stage Company) | Statement 1 |
Balance Sheets | |
Canadian Funds |
ASSETS | April 30, 2006 | January 31, 2006 | ||
Current | ||||
Cash | $ | 703,739 | $ | 279,567 |
GST receivable and advances | 52,718 | 3,892 | ||
756,457 | 283,459 | |||
Restricted Cash – Flow-through(Note 6i) | - | 575 | ||
Equipment,net (Note 4) | 30,807 | 186 | ||
$ | 787,264 | $ | 284,220 | |
LIABILITIES | ||||
Current | ||||
Accounts payable | $ | 16,838 | $ | 16,838 |
Commitments(Note 9) | ||||
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||
Share Capital–Statement 3 (Note 6) | ||||
Unlimited authorized shares without par value | ||||
10,188,213 (2006 - 7,878,213) shares issued and outstanding | 4,298,793 | 3,626,793 | ||
Contributed Surplus | 38,516 | 38,516 | ||
Deficit Accumulated During the Exploration Stage–Statement 3 | (3,566,883) | (3,397,927) | ||
770,426 | 267,382 | |||
$ | 787,264 | $ | 284,220 |
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD:
“Harry Barr” , Director
“Bernard Barlin” , Director
- See Accompanying Notes -
El Nino Ventures Inc. (An Exploration Stage Company) | Statement 2 |
Statements of Operations | |
For the Three Month Period Ended April 30 | |
Canadian Funds |
2006 | 2005 | |||||
Expenses | ||||||
Amortization | $ | - | $ | - | ||
Consulting | 71,575 | 6,810 | ||||
Exploration expenditures(Schedule) | 22,916 | 28,243 | ||||
Interest (Income) and bank charges ,net | (1,297) | 152 | ||||
Management fees | 6,000 | 6,000 | ||||
Office and miscellaneous | 3,590 | 164 | ||||
Rent | 3,967 | 3,967 | ||||
Professional fees | 8,100 | 550 | ||||
Stock exchange and transfer agent fees | 8,585 | 6,816 | ||||
Telephone | 2,142 | - | ||||
Travel, promotion, investor relations and trade shows | 20,178 | 221 | ||||
Loss for the Period | $ | (145,756) | $ | (52,923) | ||
Loss per share | $ | (0.01) | $ | (0.01) | ||
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding | 10,188,213 | 5,961,546 | ||||
- See Accompanying Notes -
El Nino Ventures Inc. (An Exploration Stage Company) | Statement 3 |
Statement of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficiency) | |
Canadian Funds |
Common Shares Shares Amount | Contributed Surplus | Deficit | Total | ||||||
Balance – January 31, 2002 | 3,071,546 | $ | 2,827,593 | $ | - | $ | (2,789,207) | $ | 38,386 |
Shares issued for cash, private placement | - | - | - | - | - | ||||
Share subscriptions received | - | 25,000 | - | - | 25,000 | ||||
Net Loss –Statement 2 | - | - | - | (86,545) | (86,545) | ||||
Balance – January 31, 2003 | 3,071,546 | 2,852,593 | - | (2,875,752) | (23,159) | ||||
Shares issued for cash, private placement,net of issue costs | 1,500,000 | 150,000 | - | - | 150,000 | ||||
Shares subscriptions received | - | (5,000) | - | - | (5,000) | ||||
Shares issued for share subscriptions | - | (20,000) | - | - | (20,000) | ||||
Stock compensation expense | - | - | 38,516 | - | 38,516 | ||||
Net Loss –Statement 2 | - | - | - | (127,030) | (127,030) | ||||
Balance – January 31, 2004 | 4,571,546 | 2,977,593 | 38,516 | (3,002,782) | 13,327 | ||||
Shares issued for cash, private placement,net of issue costs | 1,000,000 | 200,000 | - | - | 200,000 | ||||
Shares issued for exercise of warrants | 85,000 | 11,050 | - | - | 11,050 | ||||
Net Loss –Statement 2 | - | - | - | (152,881) | (152,881) | ||||
Balance – January 31, 2005 | 5,656,546 | $ | 3,188,643 | $ | 38,516 | $ | (3,155,663) | $ | 71,496 |
Shares issued for cash, private placement,net of issue costs | 416,667 | 150,000 | - | - | 150,000 | ||||
Shares issuance costs | - | - | - | (1,400) | (1,400) | ||||
Shares issued for mineral properties | 85,000 | 31,250 | - | - | 31,250 | ||||
Shares issued for exercise of warrants | 1,710,000 | 272,450 | - | - | 272,450 | ||||
Shares issued for exercise of options | 10,000 | 1,500 | - | - | 1,500 | ||||
Future income tax on flow-through(Note 8) | - | (17,050) | - | - | (17,050) | ||||
Net Loss –Statement 2 | - | - | - | (240,864) | (240,864) | ||||
Balance – January 31, 2006 | 7,878,213 | $ | 3,626,793 | $ | 38,516 | $ | (3,397,927) | $ | 267,382 |
Shares issued for cash, private placement,net of issue costs | 2,200,000 | 640,000 | - | - | 640,000 | ||||
Shares issuance costs | 80,000 | 20,000 | - | (23,200) | (3,200) | ||||
Shares issued for mineral properties | 30,000 | 12,000 | - | - | 12,000 | ||||
Shares issued for exercise of warrants | - | - | - | - | - | ||||
Shares issued for exercise of options | - | - | - | - | - | ||||
Future income tax on flow-through(Note 8) | - | - | - | - | - | ||||
Net Loss –Statement 2 | - | - | - | (145,756) | (145,756) | ||||
Balance – April 30, 2006 | 10,188,213 | $ | 4,298,793 | $ | 38,516 | $ | (3,566,883) | $ | 770,426 |
- See Accompanying Notes -
El Nino Ventures Inc. (An Exploration Stage Company) | Statement 4 |
Statements of Cash Flows | |
For the Three Month Period Ended April 30 | |
Canadian Funds |
Cash Provided by (Used in) | 2006 | 2005 | ||||
Operating Activities | ||||||
Net loss | $ | (145,756) | $ | (52,923) | ||
Items not involving cash: | ||||||
Stock compensation expense | - | - | ||||
Shares issued for mineral properties | 12,000 | 7,250 | ||||
Future Income tax recovery on flow-through shares(Note 8) | - | - | ||||
Amortization | - | - | ||||
(133,756) | (45,673) | |||||
Changes in non-cash working capital: | ||||||
Accounts receivable | (48,826) | 4,357 | ||||
Accounts payable | - | (24,735) | ||||
(48,826) | (20,378) | |||||
(182,582 | (66,051) | |||||
Investing Activities | ||||||
Purchase of auto and equipment | (30,621) | - | ||||
Financing Activities | ||||||
Issuance of shares for cash | 640,000 | 104,100 | ||||
Share issue costs | (3,200) | - | ||||
636,800 | 104,100 | |||||
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash | 423,597 | 38,049 | ||||
Cash – Beginning of year | 280,142 | 113,448 | ||||
Cash – End of Period | $ | 703,739 | $ | 151,497 |
Non-Cash Financing Activities | ||||||
Shares issued for mineral properties | $ | 12,000 | $ | 7,250 | ||
Shares issued for finders fees | $ | 20,000 | $ | - | ||
- See Accompanying Notes -
El Nino Ventures Inc. (An Exploration Stage Company) | Schedule |
Schedule of Exploration Expenditures | |
Canadian Funds |
April 30, 2006 | January 31, 2006 | |||
Anderson Lake Property, Ontario, Canada | ||||
Option payments – cash | - | - | ||
Option payments – shares | - | 7,250 | ||
- | 7,250 | |||
Exploration expenditures | ||||
Geological and field expenses | - | 2,520 | ||
Engineering and consulting | - | 8,290 | ||
Assays | - | 675 | ||
Total | - | 18,735 | ||
Halo Property, Bancroft, Ontario, Canada | ||||
Option payments – cash | 5,000 | 2,500 | ||
Option payments – shares | 8,000 | 12,000 | ||
Staking costs | - | - | ||
13,000 | 14,500 | |||
Exploration expenditures | ||||
Geological and field expenses | 616 | 19,997 | ||
Engineering and consulting | 300 | 54,300 | ||
Assays | - | - | ||
Total | 13,916 | 88,797 | ||
Silver Crater Project, Bancroft, Ontario, Canada | ||||
Option payments – cash | 5,000 | 2,500 | ||
Option payments – shares | 4,000 | 12,000 | ||
Staking costs | - | - | ||
9,000 | 14,500 | |||
Exploration expenditures | ||||
Geological and field expenses | - | 1,025 | ||
Engineering and consulting | - | 13,540 | ||
Assays | - | 772 | ||
Total | 9,000 | 29,837 | ||
Other Properties | ||||
Staking costs | - | 15,993 | ||
Costs for the Period | $ | 22,916 | $ | 153,362 |
- See Accompanying Notes -
El Nino Ventures Inc. (An Exploration Stage Company) | |
Notes to Financial Statements | |
For the Period Ended April 30, 2006 and 2005 | |
Canadian Funds |
1.
INCORPORATION
El Nino Ventures Inc. (the “Company") was incorporated on February 19, 1988 in British Columbia, Canada. The Company is in the business of exploring mineral properties and is considered to be an exploration stage company.
2.
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
a)
Cash and Cash Equivalents
For purposes of reporting cash flows, the Company considers cash and cash equivalents to include amounts held in banks and highly liquid debt investments with remaining maturities at point of purchase of three months or less. The Company places its cash and cash investments with institutions of high credit worthiness. At times, such investments may be in excess of federal insurance limits.
b)
Exploration Expenditures
The Company is in the exploration stage and expenses all exploration expenditures as they are incurred until it is determined that a property has economically recoverable ore reserves. At that point, further exploration expenditures will be capitalized.
c)
Equipment
Equipment is recorded at cost. The Company provides for amortization on office equipment using the 30% declining balance method, with half of this rate used in the year of acquisition.
d)
Earnings (Loss) per Share
Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing income (or loss) attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. The computation of diluted earnings per share assumes the conversion, exercise or contingent issuance of securities only when such conversion, exercise or issuance would have a dilutive effect on earnings per share. The dilutive effect of convertible securities is reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the "if converted" method. The dilutive effect of outstanding options and warrants and their equivalents is reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the treasury stock method.
e)
Revenue Recognition
Revenue from the sale of minerals is recognized when title and the risks and rewards of ownership pass to the buyer.
Incidental revenues from mineral sales during the exploration phase are offset against mineral exploration expense.
f)
Stock-Based Compensation
All stock-based awards made to employees and non-employees are measured and recognized using a fair value based method. For employees, the fair value of the options is measured at the date of the grant. For non-employees, the fair value of the options is measured on the earlier of the date at which the counterparty performance is complete or the date the performance commitment is reached or the date at which the equity instruments are granted if they are fully vested and non-forfeitable. For employees and non-employees, the fair value of the options is accrued and charged to operations, with the offsetting credit to contributed surplus, on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. If and when the stock options are ultimately exercised, the applicable amounts of contributed surplus are transferred to share capital
g)
Management Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported years. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
h)
Asset Retirement Obligations – Change in Accounting Policy
Effective February 1, 2004, the Company adopted the recommendations of CICA Handbook Section 3110, Asset Retirement Obligations. This new section requires recognition of a legal liability for obligations relating to retirement of property, plant, and equipment, and arising from the acquisition, construction, development, or normal operation of those assets. Such asset retirement cost must be recognized at fair value, when a reasonable estimate of fair value can be estimated, in the period in which it is incurred, added to the carrying value of the asset, and amortized into income on a systematic basis over its useful life.
There is no material impact on the financial statements resulting from the adoption of Section 3110 either in the current or prior years presented.
i)
Flow-Through Shares
During the prior year, the Company adopted the new recommendations of the Emerging Issues Committee relating to flow-through shares effective for all flow-through agreements dated after March 19, 2004. Canadian Income Tax Legislation permits an enterprise to issue securities referred to as flow-through shares, whereby the investor can claim the tax deductions arising from the renunciation of the related resource expenditures. When resource expenditures are renounced to the investors and the Company has reasonable assurance that the expenditures will be completed, future income tax liabilities are recognized (renounced expenditures multiplied by the effective tax rate) thereby reducing share capital.
If a company has sufficient unused tax losses and deductions (“losses”) to offset all or part of the future income tax liabilities and no future income tax assets have been previously recognized on such losses, a portion of such unrecognized losses (losses multiplied by the effective corporate tax rate) is recorded as income up to the amount of the future income tax liability that was previously recognized on the renounced expenditures.
j)
Share Capital
i)
The proceeds from the exercise of stock options and warrants are recorded as share capital in the amount for which the options or warrants were exercised.
ii)
Share capital issued for non-monetary consideration is recorded at an amount based on fair market value.
k)
Income Taxes
The asset and liability method is used for determining future income taxes. Under the asset and liability method, the change in the net future income tax asset or liability is included in income. The income tax effects of differences in the periods when revenue and expenses are recognized, in accordance with Company accounting practices, and the periods they are recognized for income tax purposes are reflected as future income tax assets or liabilities. Future income tax assets and liabilities are measured using the statutory income tax rates which are expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.
l)
Variable Interest Entities
The Accounting Standards Board (AcSB) issued Accounting Guideline AcG 15 “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” to harmonize the Guideline with the equivalent FASB Interpretation No. 46R, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (“VIE”). The Guideline provides criteria for identifying VIEs and further criteria for determining what entity, if any, should consolidate them. The Guideline is effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after November 1, 2005, and upon adoption, will not materially impact the Company’s results of operations and financial position.
m)
Mineral Exploration
The Company recognizes METC amounts and applies those amounts against exploration costs when the Company’s application for tax credits is approved by Canada Revenue Agency. Assessments, if any for taxes, penalties and interest under Part XII.6 under section 2.11.91 of the Income Tax Act are deducted from the tax credits when assessed.
3.
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash, GST receivable, and accounts payable. Unless otherwise noted, it is management’s opinion that the Company is not exposed to significant interest, currency or credit risks arising from the financial instruments. The fair value of these financial instruments approximates their carrying value due to their short-term maturity or capacity of prompt liquidation.
4.
EQUIPMENT
2006 | Cost | Accumulated Amortization | Net | |||
Computers | $ | 4,015 | $ | 1,677 | $ | 2,338 |
Automobile | $ | 28,469 | $ | - | $ | 28,469 |
Total | $ | 32,484 | $ | 1,677 | $ | 30,807 |
2005 | Cost | Accumulated Amortization | Net | |||
Computers | $ | 1,863 | $ | 1,677 | $ | 186 |
5.
EXPLORATION EXPENDITURES
a)
Anderson Lake Property, Ontario
By agreement dated December 19, 2004, the Company may earn a 100% interest in certain properties known as the Anderson Lake Property, Ontario, by making, at its option, the following:
Payments | Shares | Exploration Expenditures | ||
Upon execution of agreement | (paid) | $ 10,000 | - | $ - |
Upon regulatory approval | (issued) | - | 25,000 | - |
On or before December 19, 2005 | 20,000 | 25,000 | 15,000 | |
On or before December 19, 2006 | 20,000 | 25,000 | 30,000 | |
On or before December 19, 2007 | 25,000 | 25,000 | 45,000 | |
On or before December 19, 2008 | 50,000 | 25,000 | 60,000 | |
$125,000 | 125,000 | $150,000 |
On or before December 19, 2009, and each subsequent anniversary, the Company is required to make payments of $20,000. Each of these payments is to be treated as pre-production advance royalty payments, deductible from all future net smelter royalty (“NSR”) payments payable to the optionors.
Prior to earning its 100% interest the Company may joint venture the property upon payment of 50,000 shares or $20,000 to the optionors.
The property is subject to a 3% NSR. The Company has the option to purchase 2% of the total NSR for $1,000,000.
During the previous year, the Company terminated the option agreement.
b)
Halo Project, Bancroft, Ontario
By agreement dated March 9, 2005 and amended April 14, 2005, the Company may earn a 100% interest in certain properties known as the Halo Project, Bancroft, Ontario, by making, at its option, the following:
Payments | Shares | Exploration Expenditures | ||
Upon execution of agreement | (paid) | $ 2,500 | - | $ - |
Upon regulatory approval | (issued) | - | 20,000 | - |
On or before December 31, 2005 | (incurred) | - | - | 15,000 |
On or before March 9, 2006 (paid/issued) | 5,000 | 20,000 | - | |
On or before December 31, 2006 | - | - | 20,000 | |
On or before March 9, 2007 | 5,000 | 20,000 | - | |
On or before December 31, 2007 | - | - | 30,000 | |
On or before December 31, 2008 | - | - | 40,000 | |
$12,500 | 60,000 | $105,000 |
Prior to earning its 100% interest the Company may joint venture the property upon payment of 40,000 shares or $5,000 to the optionors.
The property is subject to a 3% NSR. The Company has the option to purchase 1% of the total NSR for $250,000.
The Company is required to reimburse the optionors for all related staking costs.
c)
Silver Crater Project, Bancroft, Ontario
By agreement dated March 9, 2005, the Company may earn a 100% interest in certain properties known as the Silver Crater Project, Bancroft, Ontario by making, at its option, the following:
Payments | Shares | Exploration Expenditures | ||
Upon execution of agreement | (paid) | $ 2,500 | - | $ - |
Upon regulatory approval | (issued) | - | 20,000 | - |
On or before December 31, 2005 | (incurred) | - | - | 15,000 |
On or before March 9, 2006 (paid/issued) | 5,000 | 10,000 | - | |
On or before December 31, 2006 | - | - | 20,000 | |
On or before March 9, 2007 | 5,000 | 10,000 | - | |
On or before December 31, 2007 | - | - | 30,000 | |
On or before December 31, 2008 | - | - | 40,000 | |
$12,500 | 40,000 | $105,000 |
Prior to earning its 100% interest the Company may joint venture the property upon payment of 40,000 shares or $15,000 to the optionors.
The property is subject to a 3% NSR. The Company has the option to purchase 1% of the total NSR for $250,000.
The Company is required to reimburse the optionors for all related staking costs.
6.
SHARE CAPITAL
a)
Authorized:
Unlimited common voting shares without par value (no additional paid-in capital).
b)
At April 30 the following stock options were outstanding:
Expiry Date | Exercise Price | 2006 Shares | 2005 Shares | |
March 17, 2005 (expired) | $ | 0.55 | - | 250,000 |
September 10, 2008 | $ | 0.15 | 319,000 | 354,000 |
March 29, 2011 | $ | 0.50 | 1,588,642 | - |
1,907,642 | 604,000 |
c)
The Company has granted founders, directors and certain employees stock options. Stock option activity is summarized as follows:
Number of Shares | Exercise Price | * | |
Balance outstanding – January 31, 2003 and 2002 | 250,000 | $0.55 | |
Granted – Year ended January 31, 2004 | 354,000 | $0.15 | |
Exercised – Year ended January 31, 2006 | (10,000) | $0.15 | |
Cancelled– Year ended January 31, 2006 | (25,000) | $0.15 | |
Expired – Year ended January 31, 2006 | (250,000) | $0.55 | |
Granted – Period ended April 30, 2006 | 1,588,642 | $0.50 | |
Balance outstanding – April 30, 2006 | 1,907,642 | $0.44 |
•
Weighted average exercise price
During the period, 1,588,642 stock options were granted to employees, consultants and insiders at an exercise price of $0.50 per common share for a period of five years. These are subject to shareholder approval.
d)
During the previous year ended January 31, 2004, the Company granted options to purchase up to 354,000 shares. This resulted in stock compensation expense of $38,516, which has been recorded in consulting fees. The offsetting entry is to contributed surplus.
The fair value of stock options used to calculated stock compensation expense for both employees and non-employees is estimated using the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model with the following weighted average assumptions:
January 31, 2004 | ||
Average risk-free interest rate | 3.82% | |
Expected dividend yield | NIL | |
Expected stock price volatility | 106% | |
Average expected option life | 5 years |
Option pricing models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility. Changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, and therefore, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of the Company’s stock options.
e)
At April 30, 2006, the following warrants were outstanding:
Expiry Date | Number of Shares | Exercise Price |
August 12, 2006 | 83,333 | $0.35 |
April 24, 2007 | 600,000 | $0.50 |
February 28, 2008 | 1,600,000 | $0.33 |
Balance outstanding – April 30, 2006 | 2,283,333 |
a)
During the period, the Company closed a 1,600,000 unit private placement at a price of $0.25 per unit for gross proceeds of $400,000 consisting of one common share in the capital of the Company and one non-transferable share purchase warrant. Each full warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one additional common share of the Company until February 28, 2008 at a price of $0.33 per warrant share. A finder’s fee of 80,000 shares were issued in connection with this financing.
b)
During the period, the Company closed a 600,000 unit private placement at a price of $0.40 per unit consisting of one common share in the capital of the Company and one non-transferable share purchase warrant. Each warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one additional common share of the Company for a period of one year from the closing date at a price of $0.50 per warrant share.
c)
During the period, 30,000 shares were issued for mineral properties.
d)
During the previous year, the Company closed a 166,667 flow-through unit private placement at a price of $0.30 per unit, for gross proceeds of $50,000. Each unit consists of one common share in the capital of the Company and one-half of one common non-transferable, non-flow-through share purchase warrant. Each full warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one additional common share of the Company until August 12, 2006 at a price of $0.35 per warrant share. An officer and director subscribed for 33,500 units in this private placement.
Flow-through shares are shares issued by a company that incurs certain resource expenditures and then renounces them for Canadian tax purposes. This allows the expenditures to flow through to the subscriber for tax purposes. The subscribers may in turn claim the expenditure as a deduction on their personal or corporate tax returns.
The total amount of funds raised through the flow-through shares must be spent on qualified mineral exploration. The use of proceeds from flow-through shares is restricted to certain Canadian Exploration Expenditures under Canadian Income Tax Legislation. Restricted Cash - Flow-Through represents funds received from flow-through issuances that management estimates have not been spent as at the balance sheet date.
e)
During the previous year, shareholders approved the reservation of 298,077 performance shares at an exercise price of $0.01 per share. To date, none of these shares have been allotted, issued and have not been booked into these financial statements as they must receive regulatory approval. Subsequent to year-end, a further 509,410 nominal value performance shares were reserved subject to shareholder and regulatory approval. At the discretion of the Board, these shares may be issued to such arm’s length parties as the Board considers desirable to attract to the Company.
7.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Except as noted elsewhere in these financial statements, related party transactions are as follows:
a)
During the period, the Company paid $6,000 for management fees to a company controlled by the President and director.
b)
During the period, the Company paid $9,553 for consulting fees to a company controlled by the Corporate Secretary.
c)
During the period, the Company paid $8,100 for professional fees to a company controlled by the Chief Financial Officer.
d)
During the period, the Company paid rent of $3,967 to a company controlled by the President and director.
The above transactions, occurring in the normal course of operations, are measured at the exchange amount, which is the amount of consideration established and agreed to by the related parties.
8.
INCOME TAX LOSSES
The Company has incurred certain resource related expenditures of approximately $847,000, which may be carried forward indefinitely and used to reduce prescribed taxable income in future years.
The Company has incurred non-capital losses for income tax purposes of approximately $580,000. They may be carried forward and used to reduce taxable income of future years. These losses will expire as follows:
2007 | $ | 95,000 |
2008 | 86,000 | |
2009 | 67,000 | |
2010 | 81,000 | |
2011 | 86,000 | |
2015 | 86,000 | |
2016 | 79,000 | |
$ | 580,000 |
Significant components of the Company's future tax assets and liabilities, after applying enacted corporate income tax rates, are as follows:
Future Tax Assets | 2006 | |
Statutory tax rate | 34.1% | |
Non-capital losses | $ | 197,780 |
Undepreciated capital cost in excess of accounting net book value | 635 | |
Exploration and development expenditures | �� | 288,827 |
487,242 | ||
Less: Valuation allowances | (487,242) | |
Reversal of valuation allowance | 17,050 | |
Income tax recovery | $ | 17,050 |
The potential future tax benefits of these expenditures and tax losses have not been recognized in these financial statements.
Future Income Tax Recovery
During the previous year, flow-through shares totalling $50,000 were issued, which funds are required to be spent on certain Canadian Exploration Expenditures. Because the Company on longer has the ability to use the expenditures for tax purposes, the Company is required to record a future tax liability which is equal to the renunciation, times the corporation tax rate when expenditures are renounced. However, because the Company has unused tax losses and resource pools in excess of the renunciation, the future tax liability becomes a future income tax recovery.
9.
COMMITMENTS
By agreement dated July 1, 2005, the Company entered into a five year lease for premises with a company controlled by the President and director. Minimum basic rent commitments are approximately as follows:
2007 | $ | 10,000 |
2008 | 10,000 | |
2009 | 10,000 | |
2010 | 10,000 | |
2011 | 4,000 | |
$ | 44,000 |
In addition to basic rent, the Company is also responsible for its proportionate share of property taxes and operating costs.
10.
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
a)
Subsequent to the period-end, the Company announced that it had entered into an option agreement with Falconbridge Limited (“Falconbridge”) to explore the Bathhurst Mining Camp in New Brunswick.
The Company will initially have the opportunity to earn a 50% interest in a large number of mineral claims and two permitted areas held by Falconbridge occupying approximately 108,800 hectares. In order to vest with a 50% interest, the Company is required to spend $5.0 million on exploration by March 31, 2008 with a minimum expenditure of $2.5 million by March 31, 2007.
Upon vesting with a 50% interest in the Property, the Company will have 90 days in which to elect to carve out one or more Project Areas from the existing Property, in each of which the Company can increase its interest to 65% by spending an additional $2.0 million over three years and can increase its interest in each Project Area still further to 75% by spending an additional $3.0 million over another two years. Falconbridge can back-in to increase its position from either a 35% or 25% interest level to 50% by contributing 2.5 times the Company expenditures made to increase its interest above 50%. Falconbridge may increase its interest in one or more Project Areas from 50% to 70% at any time by electing to complete a Feasibility Study, or expend an additional $20 million on each Project Area within three years: or five years if underground work is necessary to complete the study. Falconbridge will have the right to process the C ompany’s share of ore from any future operations.
b)
Subsequent to the period-end, the Company announced a non-brokered private placement of up to 8,750,000 units at a price of $0.80 per unit for gross proceeds of up to $7,000,000. Each unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company and one-half of one non-transferable share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one additional common share of the Company for a period of one year from the closing date at a price of $1.00 per share.
The Company has yet to determine whether a portion of the units to be issued will have flow-through privileges attached to them. A finder’s fee of up to 7% may be paid in cash and/or warrants.
Form 51-102F1
Management Discussion and Analysis
For
El Nino Ventures Inc.
MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
The following discussion and analysis is management’s assessment of the results and financial condition of El Nino Ventures Inc. (the “Company” or “El Nino”) for the three month period ended April 30, 2006 and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements for the period ended April 30, 2006 and related notes contained in the report. The date of this management’s discussion and analysis is June 28, 2006. Additional information on the Company is available on SEDAR atwww.sedar.com.
Business of El Nino
El Nino is an exploration stage company engaged in the acquisitions, exploration and development of mineral properties of merit in Canada, United States (Alaska) and in Eastern Europe with the aim of developing them to a stage where they can be exploited at a profit or to arrange joint ventures whereby other companies provide funding for development and exploitation.
Forward looking statements
Certain information included in this discussion may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and entail various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties could cause or contribute to actual results that are materially different than those expressed or implied. The Company disclaims any obligation or intention to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Project Overview
Bathhurst, New Brunswick Project
Subsequent to the period-end (May 26th, 2006), the Company announced that it had entered into an option agreement with Falconbridge Limited (“Falconbridge”) to explore the Bathhurst Mining Camp in New Brunswick.
The Company will initially have the opportunity to earn a 50% interest in a large number of mineral claims and two permitted areas held by Falconbridge occupying approximately 108,800 hectares. In order to vest with a 50% interest, the Company is required to spend $5.0 million on exploration by March 31, 2008 with a minimum expenditure of $2.5 million by March 31, 2007.
Upon vesting with a 50% interest in the Property, the Company will have 90 days in which to elect to carve out one or more Project Areas from the existing Property, in each of which the Company can increase its interest to 65% by spending an additional $2.0 million over three years and can increase its interest in each Project Area still further to 75% by spending an additional $3.0 million over another two years. Falconbridge can back-in to increase its position from either a 35% or 25% interest level to 50% by contributing 2.5 times the Company expenditures made to increase its interest above 50%. Falconbridge may increase its interest in one or more Project Areas from 50% to 70% at any time by electing to complete a Feasibility Study, or expend an additional $20 million on each Project Area within three years: or five years if underground work is necessary to complete the study. Falconbridge will have the rig ht to process the Company’s share of ore from any future operations.
This years exploration program will include geophysics work on the Western part of the Bathurst camp with 15,000 meters of drilling and a Megatem airborne survey and 10,000 meters of drilling on the Eastern part of the mining camp.
Bancroft Uranium Project
The Company completed the second phase of exploration on the Bancroft Uranium Project in early October. The Project is comprised of eight properties in the Bancroft region of Ontario, which is well known for its historical uranium production from four former producing mines. Under two separate agreements, El Nino may earn up to 100% interest on the Project.
Preliminary Exploration Program – May 2005
A preliminary exploration program of geological and scintillometer reconnaissance was conducted in May 2005 on all eight of the Bancroft properties. In addition, the Halo Property (North West Zone) and Amalgamated Rare Earth Property, which host the properties’ largest known uranium reserves (not 43-101 compliant), were targeted for more detailed exploration. This program included mechanical stripping, scintillometer surveying, and chip and grab rock sampling for uranium and thorium assaying, and was successful in confirming the historically established grades. Based on the results of this program, El Nino’s consulting geologist, T.J. Beesley, P.Eng., recommended a follow up deep drilling program to verify down dip extension of uranium mineralization for these properties. Details for this program are in development.
Second Phase Exploration – October 2005
The second exploration phase was completed in late 2005, during which the remaining six properties were each examined radiometrically. Grids were established over the extent of the anomalous radioactivity, with 50 metre lines and 12.5 metre stations, and were then surveyed by scintillometer. Previous workings and high radioactive anomalies were tied in and chip and grab samples taken for assaying for uranium and thorium content. Based on the results, the Company plans further work on three of the properties. A 3.02% U3O8 result (apparently one of the highest U3O8 results recorded in this camp) was returned from an outcrop of limonitic coarse phlogopite-pyroxene pegmatite on theCanadian All Metals Property in Monmouth Township. Results of 0.22% U3O8 were also returned. On theSilver Crater #2 Showing in Faraday Town ship, anomalous radioactivity extends over an area 300 x 150 metres. Highly anomalous radioactivity occurs within a 75 x 30 metre zone in the centre of the grid and is open to the west under overburden. Results from five samples from throughout this zone range from 0.37% to 0.69% U3O8 and average 0.53% U3O8, in coarse-grained dark pink to red augite syenite pegmatite. An assay of 0.31% U308 was obtained from coarse biotite-green pyroxene skarn on theMcLean-Hogan Property grid in Cardiff Township.
Third Phase Exploration – Fall 2006
In this third phase of exploration, the objective of the Company is to move three more of the projects to a drill ready stage. After some compilation and mapping work, the Company is considering doing some drilling on the best known occurrences. The Company has outlined a budget that could be as high as $600,000 for this up coming exploration season.
The Company is also actively seeking a joint venture partner to assist in the future development of one or more of its Bancroft uranium properties.
Selected Annual Information
Unless otherwise noted, all currency amounts are stated in Canadian dollars.
The following table summarizes selected financial data for El Nino for each of the three most recently completed financial years. The information set forth below should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements, prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles, and related notes.
Years Ended January 31,(audited) | |||
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | |
Total Revenues | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil |
General and administrative expenses | $104,552 | $89,400 | $124,491 |
Mineral property costs | 153,362 | 63,481 | 2,539 |
Net income (loss) before income taxes * In total * Basic and diluted loss per share | (257,914) (0.04) | (152,881) (0.03) | (127,030) (0.04) |
Totals Assets | 284,220 | 120,569 | 33,000 |
Total long term liabilities | Nil | Nil | Nil |
Cash dividends declared | Nil | Nil | Nil |
Selected quarterly financial information
The following selected financial information is derived from the unaudited interim financial statements of the Company prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).
For the Quarters Ended (unaudited) | ||||||||
April 30 | Jan. 31 | Oct. 31 | July 31 | April 30 | Jan. 31 | Oct. 31 | July 31 | |
2006 | 2006 | 2005 | 2005 | 2005 | 2005 | 2004 | 2004 | |
Total revenues | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil |
Net loss – before tax | 145,756 | 63,210 | 31,443 | 110,338 | 52,923 | 96,886 | 12,755 | 25,329 |
Net loss per share | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.00 | 0.01 |
Total assets | 787,264 | 284,220 | 253,430 | 66,924 | 154,261 | 120,569 | 7,778 | 4,542 |
Results of operations
The three month period ended April 30, 2006 resulted in a net loss of $145,756, which compares with a loss of $52,923 for the same period in 2005. General and administrative expenses for the period ended April 30, 2006 were $122,840 an increase of $98,160 over the same period in 2005. Consulting expenses of $71,575 were incurred as compared to $6,810 a year before as the Company required the services of several consultants to further evaluate new mineral projects. The Company adopted the new recommendations of CICA Handbook Section 3870, “Stock-Based Compensation and Other Stock-Based Payments”, effective to all awards granted on or after January 1, 2003. The new standard requires that all stock-based awards be measured and recognized using a fair value based method. During the period, 1,588,642 stock options were granted but no stock option expense has been recognized as shareholder approval is required and the options are issued subject to a vesting schedule. All other general and administrative costs were relatively the same when compared to the previous period.
During the period ended April 30, 2006, the Company incurred mineral property expenditures of $22,916. Of this amount, $10,000 was paid as cash option payments on its Bancroft, Ontario properties. A further 30,000 shares were issued at a value of $12,000 for the Bancroft properties.
Travel, shareholder relations and promotional activities undertaken by the Company, which included attendance at various trade shows, cost $ 20,178 as compared to $221 in the previous year.
Liquidity and capital resources
At April 30, 2006, the Company’s working capital, defined as current assets less current liabilities, was $739,619 compared with working capital of $266,621 at January 31, 2006. During the period, 2,200,000 shares were issued for gross proceeds of $640,000. Subsequent to period-end, the Company announced a non brokered private placement of up to 8,750,000 units at a price of $0.80 per unit for gross proceeds of up to $7,000,000.
The Company has total issued and outstanding of 10,188,213 shares at April 30, 2006.
Contractual commitments
The Company is committed under an operating lease with a company controlled by Harry Barr for its office premises with the following aggregate minimum lease payments to the expiration of the lease on June 30, 2010. In addition to the below basic rent, the Company is also responsible for its proportionate share of property taxes and operating costs. Mineral option payments have not been included as the Company has the option to terminate these agreements with appropriate notice. Further information on mineral option payments are disclosed in Note 5 to the financial statements dated April 30, 2006.
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | Thereafter | |
Office lease | $10,000 | 10,000 | 10,000 | 10,000 | 4,000 | - |
Off-balance sheet arrangements
The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements.
Critical accounting estimates
A detailed summary of all the Company’s significant accounting policies is included in Note 2 to the financial statements for the period ended April 30, 2006.
Significant estimates used in the preparation of these financial statements include, amongst other things, depreciation, determination of net recoverable value of assets, determination of fair value on taxes, contingencies and share compensation.
Changes in Accounting Policies
Variable interest entities
The Accounting Standards Board (AcSB) issued Accounting Guideline AcG 15 “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” to harmonize the Guideline with the equivalent FASB Interpretation No. 46R, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (“VIE”). The Guideline provides criteria for identifying VIEs and further criteria for determining what entity, if any, should consolidate them. The Guideline is effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after November 1, 2005, and upon adoption, will not materially impact the Company’s results of operations and financial position.
Financial Instruments and Other Instruments
El Nino’s financial instruments consist of cash, restricted cash, GST receivable and accounts payable. Unless otherwise noted, it is management’s opinion that El Nino is not exposed to significant interest, currency or credit risks arising from the financial instruments. The fair value of these financial instruments approximates their carrying value due to their short-term maturity or capacity of prompt liquidation.
The Company may be exposed to currency risk if acquisition and exploration expenditures are incurred in the U.S. as it will have to convert Canadian dollars raised through equity financing in Canada to US dollars. The Company’s expenditures could be negatively impacted by increases in the US versus the Canadian dollar.
Outstanding share data
The Company is authorized to issue unlimited common shares without par value. As at April 30, 2006, there were 10,188,213 outstanding common shares compared to 7,878,213 outstanding shares at January 31, 2006. The increase reflects the issuance of 2,200,000 shares for cash, 80,000 for a finders fee and 30,000 shares for mineral properties.
Directors, officers, employees and contractors are granted options to purchase common shares under the Company Stock Option Plan. This plan and its terms and outstanding balance are disclosed in Notes 6c to the financial statements dated April 30, 2006.
Related party transactions
A total of $6,000 was paid to a company controlled by Harry Barr, a Director and President of the Company, for management services during the period ended April 30, 2006. Pursuant to an office lease agreement dated July 1, 2005, a total of $3,967 was paid to a company controlled by Harry Barr for office rent during the period ended April 30, 2006. A total of $9,553 was paid to a company controlled by Taryn Downing, an Officer of the Company, for Corporate secretarial services during the period ended April 30, 2006. A total of $8,100 was paid to a company controlled by Gord Steblin, an Officer of the Company for accounting services during the period ended April 30, 2006.
Risks and Uncertainties
The mineral industry is intensely competitive in all its phases. The company competes with many other companies who have greater financial resources and experience. The market price of precious metals and other minerals is volatile and cannot be controlled. Exploration for minerals is a speculative venture. There is no certainty that the money spent on exploration and development will result in the discovery of an economic ore body.
The Company has limited financial resources, no sources of operating cash flows and no assurances that sufficient funding, including adequate financing, will be available to conduct further exploration and development of its projects or to fulfill its obligations under the terms of any option or joint venture agreements. If the Company’s generative exploration programs are successful, additional funds will be required for development of one or more projects. Failure to obtain additional financing could result in the delay or indefinite postponement of further exploration and development or the possible loss of the company’s properties.
Outlook
El Nino has optioned eight mineral properties under the terms of two separate agreements in Ontario prospective for Uranium and subsequent to the first quarter ended April 30, 2006, entered into an option agreement with Falconbridge to explore the Bathhurst Mining Camp in New Brunswick. The Company announced a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $7,000,000 to meet the expenditure requirements of the Falconbridge agreement. The Company will be proceeding with an aggressive acquisition program for new projects focusing on areas of known mineralization in Eastern Europe, Alaska, and Canada. El Nino has cash of $703,739 and working capital of $739,619 as at April 30, 2006.
Approval
The Board of Directors of El Nino has approved the disclosure contained in this interim MD&A. A copy of this interim MD&A will be provided to anyone who requests it.
Form 52-109F2Certification of Interim Filings
I, Harry Barr, CEO of El Nino Ventures Inc., certify that:
1.
I have reviewed the interim filings (as this term is defined in Multilateral Instrument 52-109Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings) of El Nino Ventures Inc., (the issuer) for the interim period ending April 30, 2006;
2.
Based on my knowledge, the interim filings do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances under which it was made, with respect to the period covered by the interim filings;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the interim financial statements together with the other financial information included in the interim filings fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the issuer, as of the date and for the periods presented in the interim filings;
4.
The issuer's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures for the issuer, and we have:
(a)
designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused them to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance that material information relating to the issuer, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which the interim filings are being prepared.
Date: June 28, 2006
“Harry Barr”
_______________________
Harry Barr
CEO
Form 52-109F2Certification of Interim Filings
I, Gordon Steblin, CFO of El Nino Ventures Inc., certify that:
1.
I have reviewed the interim filings (as this term is defined in Multilateral Instrument 52-109Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings) of El Nino Ventures Inc., (the issuer) for the interim period ending April 30, 2006;
2.
Based on my knowledge, the interim filings do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances under which it was made, with respect to the period covered by the interim filings;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the interim financial statements together with the other financial information included in the interim filings fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the issuer, as of the date and for the periods presented in the interim filings;
4.
The issuer's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures for the issuer, and we have:
(a)
designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused them to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance that material information relating to the issuer, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which the interim filings are being prepared.
Date: June 28, 2006
“Gordon Steblin”
_______________________
Gordon Steblin
CFO