ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM
For the Year Ended December 31, 2021
Dated as at March 25, 2022
Suite 501 -543 Granville Street
Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 1X8
Canada
Tel: 604.688.6390
Fax: 604.688.1157
Email: info@EMXroyalty.com
Website: www.EMXroyalty.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PRELIMINARY NOTES | 4 |
Date of Information | 4 |
Currency and Exchange Rates | 4 |
Glossary, Conversions, and Abbreviations | 4 |
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FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION | 10 |
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CAUTIONARY NOTE TO UNITED STATES INVESTORS CONCERNING ESTIMATES OF INFERRED, INDICATED AND MEASURED RESOURCES | 12 |
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CORPORATE STRUCTURE | 13 |
Name, Address and Incorporation | 13 |
Inter-corporate Relationships | 13 |
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DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS | 15 |
Overview | 15 |
RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES | 18 |
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GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS | 25 |
Three Year History | 25 |
Financial Year Ended December 31, 2019 | 25 |
Financial Year Ended December 31, 2020 | 27 |
Financial Year Ended December 31, 2021 | 29 |
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MINERAL PROPERTIES | 32 |
Introduction | 32 |
Mineral Properties Overview | 33 |
Producing Royalties | 34 |
Caserones, Chile | 34 |
Timok, Serbia | 34 |
Leeville, Nevada | 35 |
Gediktepe, Turkey | 35 |
Balya, Turkey | 36 |
Advanced Royalty Projects | 36 |
Gold Bar South, Nevada | 36 |
Diablillos, Argentina | 37 |
Berenguela, Peru | 37 |
Challacolla, Chile | 37 |
Yenipazar, Turkey | 37 |
Akarca, Turkey | 38 |
Sisorta, Turkey | 38 |
Viscaria, Sweden | 38 |
Kaukua, Finland | 38 |
Exploration Royalty & Royalty Generation Projects | 39 |
Investments | 39 |
Rawhide | 39 |
Qualified Persons | 40 |
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TECHNICAL INFORMATION | 40 |
Caserones Royalty | 40 |
Timok Royalty | 52 |
Gediktepe Royalty | 59 |
PRELIMINARY NOTES
Date of Information
Unless otherwise indicated, all information contained in this Annual Information Form ("AIF") is as of December 31, 2021.
Currency and Exchange Rates
In this AIF, all references to "Canadian dollars" and to "C$" are to Canadian dollars, references to "U.S. dollars" and to "US$" are to United States dollars. The Bank of Canada noon buying rates for the purchase of one United States dollar using Canadian dollars were as follows for the indicated periods:
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 |
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
End of period | 1.2697 | 1.2741 | 1.2988 |
High for the period | 1.2926 | 1.4529 | 1.3600 |
Low for the period | 1.2046 | 1.2718 | 1.2988 |
Average for the period | 1.2535 | 1.3411 | 1.3269 |
The Bank of Canada noon buying rate on March 25, 2022, for the purchase of one United States dollar using Canadian dollars was C$1.2502 (one Canadian dollar on that date equalled US$0.7999).
Glossary, Conversions, and Abbreviations
Glossary of Geological and Mining Terms
Assay: a quantitative chemical analysis of an ore, mineral or concentrate to determine the amount of specific elements.
Breccia: a coarse-grained clastic rock, composed of broken rock fragments held together by a mineral cement or in a fine-grained matrix.
CIM: Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Classification System.
Dacite: an igneous extrusive rock with a felsic (silica rich) chemical composition that is the extrusive equivalent of a granodiorite.
Doré: a mixture of predominantly gold and silver produced by a mine, usually in a bar form, before separation and refining into gold and silver by a refinery.
Epithermal: a hydrothermal mineral deposit formed within about 1 kilometer of the Earth's surface and in the temperature range of 50oC to 200oC.
Formation: a persistent body of igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rock, having easily recognizable boundaries that can be traced in the field without recourse to detailed paleontologic or petrologic analysis, and large enough to be represented on a geologic map as a practical or convenient unit for mapping and description.
Granodiorite: a group of plutonic rocks intermediate in composition between quartz diorite and quartz monzonite.
Hydrothermal: of or pertaining to hot water, to the action of hot water, or to the products of this action, such as a mineral deposit precipitated from a hot aqueous solution, with or without demonstrable association with igneous processes.
Igneous rock: rock that is magmatic in origin.
Indicated mineral resource: is defined in NI 43-101 as that part of a mineral resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape and physical characteristics can be estimated with a level of confidence sufficient to allow the appropriate application of technical and economic parameters to support mine planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. The estimate is based on detailed and reliable exploration and test information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes that are spaced closely enough for geological and grade continuity to be reasonably assumed.
Inferred mineral resource: is defined in NI 43-101 as that part of a mineral resource for which the quantity and grade or quality can be estimated on the basis of geological evidence and limited sampling and reasonably assumed, but not verified, geological and grade continuity. The estimate is based on limited information and sampling gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes.
JORC Code: means the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves prepared by Joint Ore Reserves Committee of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Australian Institute of Geoscientists and Minerals Council of Australia.
Kriging: a weighted, moving-average interpolation method in which the set of weights assigned to samples minimizes the estimation variance, which is computed as a function of the variogram model and locations of the samples relative to each other, and to the point or block being estimated.
Leach: to dissolve minerals or metals out of ore with chemicals.
Measured mineral resource: is defined in NI 43-101 as that part of a mineral resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape and physical characteristics are so well established that they can be estimated with confidence sufficient to allow the appropriate application of technical and economic parameters to support production planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. The estimate is based on detailed and reliable exploration, sampling and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes that are spaced closely enough to confirm both geological and grade continuity.
Meta: a prefix that, when used with the name of a sedimentary or igneous rock, indicates that the rock has been metamorphosed.
Metamorphic rock: rock which has been changed from igneous or sedimentary rock through heat and pressure into a new form of rock.
Mineral reserve: is defined in NI 43-101 as the economically mineable part of a measured or indicated mineral resource demonstrated by at least a preliminary feasibility study. This study must include adequate information on mining, processing, metallurgical, economic and other relevant factors that demonstrate, at the time of reporting, that economic extraction can be justified. A mineral reserve includes diluting materials and allowances for losses that may occur when the material is mined.
Mineral resource: is defined in NI 43-101 as a concentration or occurrence (deposit) of natural, solid, inorganic or fossilized organic material in or on the earth's crust in such form and quantity and of such a grade or quality that it has reasonable prospects for economic extraction. The location, quantity, grade, geological characteristics and continuity of a mineral resource are known, estimated or interpreted from specific geological evidence and knowledge.
Net smelter return royalty or NSR royalty: a type of royalty based on a percentage of the proceeds, net of smelting, refining and transportation costs and penalties, from the sale of metals extracted from concentrate and doré by the smelter or refinery.
NI 43-101: National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects of the Canadian Securities Administrators, which sets standards for all public disclosure made of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects.
Oxide: a compound of ore that has been subjected to weathering and alteration as a result of exposure to oxygen for a long period of time.
PERC Code: means the Pan-European Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Reserves prepared by the Pan-European Reserves and Resources Reporting Committee.
Plutonic: intrusive igneous rock that is crystallized from magma slowly cooling below the surface of the Earth.
Porphyry: igneous rock consisting of large-grained crystals dispersed in a fine-grained matrix or groundmass.
Probable mineral reserve: is defined in NI 43-101 as the economically mineable part of an indicated and, in some circumstances, a measured mineral resource demonstrated by at least a preliminary feasibility study. This study must include adequate information on mining, processing, metallurgical, economic and other relevant factors that demonstrate, at the time of reporting, that economic extraction can be justified.
Proven mineral reserve: is defined in NI 43-101 as the economically mineable part of a measured mineral resource demonstrated by at least a preliminary feasibility study. This study must include adequate information on mining, processing, metallurgical, economic, and other relevant factors that demonstrate, at the time of reporting, that economic extraction is justified.
Pyroclastic: pertaining to clastic rock material formed by volcanic explosion or aerial expulsion from a volcanic vent; also, pertaining to rock texture of explosive origin.
Schist: a strongly foliated crystalline rock, which readily splits into sheets or slabs as a result of the planar alignment of the constituent crystals. The constituent minerals are commonly specified (e.g. "quartz-muscovite-chlorite schist").
SEDAR: System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval of the Canadian Securities Administrators.
Silicification: the introduction of, or replacement by, silica, generally resulting in the formation of fine-grained quartz, chalcedony, or opal, which may fill pores and replace existing minerals.
Strata: layers of sedimentary rock with internally consistent characteristics that distinguish them from other layers.
Strike: the direction, or course or bearing of a vein or rock formation measured on a level surface.
Strip (or stripping) ratio: the tonnage or volume of waste material that must be removed to allow the mining of one tonne of ore in an open pit.
Sulfides or sulphides: compounds of sulfur (or sulphur) with other metallic elements.
Tailing: material rejected from a mill after the recoverable valuable minerals have been extracted.
Vein: sheet-like body of minerals formed by fracture filling or replacement of host rock.
Conversions
Linear Measurements | | |
1 inch | = | 2.54 centimeters |
1 foot | = | 0.3048 meter |
1 yard | = | 0.9144 meter |
1 mile | = | 1.609 kilometers |
Area Measurements | | |
1 acre | = | 0.4047 hectare |
1 hectare | = | 2.471 acres |
1 square mile | = | 640 acres or 259 hectares or 2.590 square kilometers |
Units of Weight | | |
1 short ton | = | 2000 pounds or 0.893 long ton |
1 long ton | = | 2240 pounds or 1.12 short tons |
1 metric tonne | = | 2204.62 pounds or 1.1023 short tons |
1 pound (16 oz.) | = | 0.454 kilograms or 14.5833 troy ounces |
1 troy oz. | = | 31.1035 grams |
1 troy oz. per short ton | = | 34.2857 grams per metric ton |
Analytical
Analytical | percent | grams per metric tonne | troy oz per short ton |
1% | 1% | 10,000 | 291.667 |
1 gram/tonne | 0.0001% | 1 | 0.029167 |
1 troy oz./short ton | 0.003429% | 34.2857 | 1 |
10 ppb | nil | 0.01 | 0.00029 |
100 ppm | 0.01 | 100 | 2.917 |
Temperature
Degrees Fahrenheit | = | (°C x 1.8) + 32 |
Degrees Celsius | = | (°F - 32) x 0.556 |
Frequently Used Abbreviations and Symbols |
AA | atomic absorption spectrometry |
AAR | annual advance royalty |
AMR | advance minimum royalty |
Ag | silver |
As | arsenic |
Au | gold |
°C | degrees Celsius (centigrade) |
cm | centimeter |
C.P.G. | Certified Professional Geologist |
CSAMT | Controlled source audio-frequency magnetotellurics |
Cu | copper |
F | fluorine |
FS | feasibility study |
°F | degrees Fahrenheit |
g | gram(s) |
g/t | grams per tonne |
Hg | mercury |
HSE | high sulphidation epithermal |
ICP AES | inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy |
ICP MS | inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy |
ICP MS/AAS | inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy/atomic absorption spectroscopy |
IOCG | iron-oxide-copper-gold |
IP | induced polarization |
IPO | Initial Public Offering |
JORC | Joint Ore Reserves Committee |
JV | joint venture |
kg | kilogram |
km | kilometer |
m | meter(s) |
Ma | million years ago |
Mn | manganese |
Mo | molybdenum |
Mt | million tonnes |
n | number or count |
NSR | net smelter returns |
oz | troy ounce |
opt | ounce per short ton |
oz/ton | ounce per short ton |
oz/tonne | ounce per metric tonne |
Pb | lead |
Pd | palladium |
PEA | preliminary economic assessment |
PFS | pre-feasibility study |
PGE | platinum group element |
ppb | parts per billion |
ppm | parts per million |
Pt | platinum |
Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 | first, second, third and fourth financial quarters |
QA | quality assurance |
QC | quality control |
sq | square |
Sb | antimony |
Tl | thallium |
VMS | volcanogenic massive sulfide |
Zn | zinc |
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This AIF may contain "forward-looking statements" that reflect the Company's current expectations and projections about its future results. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding perceived merit of properties, exploration results and budgets, mineral reserves and resource estimates, work programs, capital expenditures, operating costs, cash flow estimates, production estimates and similar statements relating to the economic viability of a project, timelines, strategic plans, completion of transactions, market prices for metals or other statements that are not statements of fact. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Statements concerning mineral resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute "forward-looking statements" to the extent that they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered if the property is developed.
Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, identified by words or phrases such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "estimates", "assumes", "intends", "strategy", "goals", "objectives", "potential", "possible" or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events, conditions or results "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material assumptions, including those listed below, which could prove to be significantly incorrect:
• the Company's ability to achieve production at any of its mineral properties;
• estimated capital costs, operating costs, production and economic returns;
• estimated metal pricing, metallurgy, mineability, marketability and operating and capital costs, together with other assumptions underlying the Company's resource and reserve estimates;
• the Company's expected ability to develop adequate infrastructure at a reasonable cost;
• assumptions that all necessary permits and governmental approvals will be obtained;
• assumptions made in the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of the Company's mineral deposits;
• the Company's expectations regarding demand for equipment, skilled labor and services needed for exploration and development of mineral properties; and
• the Company's activities will not be adversely disrupted or impeded by development, operating or regulatory risks.
Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation:
• uncertainty of whether there will ever be production at the Company's mineral exploration and development properties;
• uncertainty of estimates of capital costs, operating costs, production and economic returns;
• uncertainties relating to the assumptions underlying the Company's resource and reserve estimates, such as metal pricing, metallurgy, mineability, marketability and operating and capital costs;
• risks related to the Company's ability to commence production and generate material revenues or obtain adequate financing for its planned exploration and development activities;
• risks related to the Company's ability to finance the development of its mineral properties through external financing, joint ventures or other strategic alliances, the sale of property interests or otherwise;
• risks related to the third parties on which the Company depends for its exploration and development activities;
• dependence on cooperation of joint venture partners in exploration and development of properties;
• credit, liquidity, interest rate and currency risks;
• risks related to market events and general economic conditions;
• uncertainty related to inferred mineral resources;
• risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of the Company's mineral deposits;
• risks related to lack of adequate infrastructure;
• mining and development risks, including risks related to infrastructure, accidents, equipment breakdowns, labor disputes or other unanticipated difficulties with or interruptions in development, construction or production;
• the risk that permits and governmental approvals necessary to develop and operate mines on the Company's properties will not be available on a timely basis or at all;
• commodity price fluctuations;
• risks related to governmental regulation and permits, including environmental regulation;
• risks related to the need for reclamation activities on the Company's properties and uncertainty of cost estimates related thereto;
• uncertainty related to title to the Company's mineral properties;
• uncertainty as to the outcome of potential litigation;
• risks related to increases in demand for equipment, skilled labor and services needed for exploration and development of mineral properties, and related cost increases;
• increased competition in the mining industry;
• the Company's need to attract and retain qualified management and technical personnel;
• risks related to hedging arrangements or the lack thereof;
• uncertainty as to the Company's ability to acquire additional commercially mineable mineral rights;
• risks related to the integration of potential new acquisitions into the Company's existing operations;
• risks related to unknown liabilities in connection with acquisitions;
• risks related to conflicts of interest of some of the directors of the Company;
• risks related to global climate change;
• risks related to adverse publicity from non-governmental organizations;
• risks related to political uncertainty or instability in countries where the Company's mineral properties are located;
• uncertainty as to the Company's passive foreign investment company ("PFIC") status;
• uncertainty as to the Company's status as a "foreign private issuer" and "emerging growth company" in future years;
• uncertainty as to the Company's ability to maintain the adequacy of internal control over financial reporting; and
• risks related to regulatory and legal compliance and increased costs relating thereto.
This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and actual achievements of the Company or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors.
The Company's forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date of this AIF, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, except as required by law. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
More information about the Company including its recent financial reports is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The Company's Annual Report on Form 40-F, including the recent financial reports, is available on SEC's EDGAR website at www.sec.gov and on the Company's website at www.EMXroyalty.com.
CAUTIONARY NOTE TO UNITED STATES INVESTORS CONCERNING ESTIMATES OF INFERRED,
INDICATED AND MEASURED RESOURCES
Canadian standards, including National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects of the Canadian Securities Administrators ("NI 43-101"), differ significantly from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), and resource information contained in this AIF may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by United States companies. In particular, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term "resource" does not equate to the term "reserves." Under United States standards as set forth in the SEC's Industry Guide 7, Description of Property by Corporations Engaged or to be Engaged in Significant Mining Operations, 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.
This AIF may use the terms "Inferred", "Indicated", and "Measured" mineral resources. EMX advises investors that although these terms are recognized and required by Canadian regulations under NI 43-101, the SEC does not recognize these terms under Industry Guide 7. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of the mineral deposits in the measured and indicated resource categories will ever be converted into reserves.
U.S. Investors are further cautioned that inferred resources have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. An inferred resource is that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade are estimated on the basis of limited geological evidence and sampling. Geological evidence is sufficient to imply, but not verify, geological and grade continuity. It is hoped that the majority of inferred resources could be upgraded to indicated resources with continued exploration. Inferred resources must not be included in an economic analysis, production schedule, or estimated mine life in publicly disclosed pre-feasibility or feasibility studies, or in the life of mine plans and cash flow models of developed mines. Inferred mineral resources can only be used in economic studies as provided under NI 43-101. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of an inferred resource exists or is economically or legally mineable.
On October 31, 2018, the SEC adopted amendments to modernize the property disclosure requirements for mining issuers, and related guidance, which are currently set forth in Item 102 of Regulation S-K under the United States Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and in Industry Guide 7. The amendments consolidate mining property disclosure requirements by relocating them to a new subpart of Regulation S-K (Subpart 1300). The amendments more closely align disclosure requirements and policies for mining properties with current industry and global regulatory practices and standards. However, while EMX files its reports under the Multijurisdictional Disclosure System (MJDS), it will not be subject to the new disclosure rules under Subpart 1300, but if EMX loses the ability to file reports or registration statements under the MJDS, EMX will be required to file reports compliant with Subpart 1300 which will result in increased costs.
CORPORATE STRUCTURE
Name, Address and Incorporation
EMX Royalty Corporation (the "Company" or "EMX") is a British Columbia company incorporated in Alberta on May 13, 1996 as Marchwell Capital Corp. and continued into British Columbia on September 21, 2004 and became subject to the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia).
On November 24, 2003, Marchwell underwent a reverse take-over by Southern European Exploration Ltd., which was incorporated in the Yukon Territory on August 21, 2001. On November 23, 2003, Marchwell changed its name to Eurasian Minerals Inc. On July 19, 2017, Eurasian changed its name to EMX Royalty Corporation to better reflect its business.
EMX is a reporting company under the securities legislation of British Columbia and Alberta. Its common shares without par value ("Common Shares") are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V"), and the NYSE American Exchange ("NYSE American") under the symbol "EMX" and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "6E9".
The Company's corporate office is located at Suite 501, 543 Granville Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 1X8, Canada and its telephone number is 604-688-6390. The Company's registered and records offices are located at Suite 704, 595 Howe Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 2T5, Canada.
The Company's technical office is located at 10001 W. Titan Road, Littleton, Colorado 80125, United States of America, and its telephone number is 303-973-8585.
Inter-corporate Relationships
A majority of the Company's business is carried on through its various subsidiaries. The following table illustrates the Company's material subsidiaries, including their respective jurisdiction of incorporation and the percentage of votes attaching to all voting securities of each subsidiary that are beneficially owned, controlled or directed, directly or indirectly, by the Company:
Name | Place of Incorporation | Ownership Percentage |
Bullion Monarch Mining, Inc | Utah, USA | 100% |
EMX (USA) Services Corp. | Nevada, USA | 100% |
Bronco Creek Exploration Inc. | Arizona, USA | 100% |
EMX - NSW1 PTY LTD. | Australia | 100% |
EMX Broken Hill PTY LTD. | Australia | 100% |
Eurasia Madencilik Ltd. Sirketi | Turkey | 100% |
Eurasian Royalty Madencilik | Turkey | 100% |
EMX Scandinavia AB (formerly Eurasian Minerals Sweden AB) | Sweden | 100% |
Viad Royalties AB | Sweden | 100% |
EV Metals AB | Sweden | 100% |
EMX Finland OY | Finland | 100% |
EMX Norwegian Services AS | Norway | 100% |
Minera Tercero SpA | Chile | 50% |
| | |
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS
Overview
EMX is in the business of organically generating royalties derived from a portfolio of mineral property interests. The Company augments royalty generation with royalty acquisitions and strategic investments. EMX's portfolio mainly consists of royalty and mineral property assets in in North America, Europe, Turkey, Latin America and Australia.
The three key components of the Company's business strategy are summarized as:
- Royalty Generation. EMX's 18-year track record of successful exploration initiatives has developed into an avenue to organically generate mineral property royalty interests. The strategy is to leverage in-country geologic expertise to acquire prospective properties on open ground, and to build value through low-cost work programs and targeting. These properties are sold or optioned to partner companies for retained royalty interests, advance minimum royalty ("AMR") and annual advance royalty ("AAR") payments, project milestone payments, and other consideration that may include equity interests. Pre-production payments provide early-stage cash flows to EMX, while the operating companies build value through exploration and development. EMX participates in project upside optionality at no additional cost, with the potential for future royalty payments upon the commencement of production.
- Royalty Acquisition. The purchase of royalty interests allows EMX to acquire assets that range from producing mines to development projects. In conjunction with the acquisition of producing and pre-production royalties in the base metals, precious metals, and battery metals sectors, the Company will also consider other cash flowing royalty acquisition opportunities including the energy sector.
- Strategic Investment. An important complement to EMX's royalty generation and royalty acquisition initiatives comes from strategic investments in companies with under-valued mineral assets that have upside exploration or development potential. Exit strategies can include equity sales, royalty positions, or a combination of both.
EMX has a combination of producing royalties, advanced royalty projects and early-stage exploration royalty properties providing shareholder's exposure to immediate cash flow, near-term development of mines, and long-term exposure to world class discoveries. Unlike other royalty companies, EMX has focused a significant portion of its expertise and capital toward organically generating royalties. EMX believe putting people on the ground generating ideas and partnering with major and junior companies is where EMX can generate the highest return for our shareholders. This diversified approach towards the royalty business provides a foundation for supporting EMX's growth and increasing shareholder value over the long term.
Specialized Skill and Knowledge
All aspects of EMX business require specialized skills and knowledge. Such skills and knowledge include the areas of geology, finance, accounting and law.
Competitive Conditions
Competition in the mineral exploration and royalty industry is intense. EMX competes with other companies, many of which have greater financial resources and technical facilities, for the acquisition and exploration of royalty and mineral property interests, as well as for the recruitment and retention of qualified employees and consultants.
Raw Materials (Components)
Other than water and electrical or mechanical power - all of which are readily available on or near its properties - EMX does not require any raw materials with which to carry out its business.
Intangible Property
EMX does not have any need for nor does it use any brand names, circulation lists, patents, copyrights, trademarks, franchises, licenses, software (other than commercially available software), subscription lists or other intellectual property in its business.
Business Cycle & Seasonality
EMX's business model is diversified in order to address impacts from commodity prices and business cycles, however, its business is not seasonal.
Economic Dependence
EMX's business is not substantially dependent on any contract such as a contract to sell the major part of its products or services or to purchase the major part of its requirements for goods, services or raw materials, or on any franchise or license or other agreement to use a patent, formula, trade secret, process or trade name upon which its business depends.
Renegotiation or Termination of Contracts
It is not expected that EMX's business will be affected in the current financial year by the renegotiation or termination of contracts or sub-contracts.
Environmental Protection
All phases of EMX's exploration are subject to environmental regulation in the various jurisdictions in which it operates.
Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner which requires stricter standards and enforcement, increased fines and penalties for non-compliance, more stringent environmental assessments of proposed projects and a heightened degree of responsibility for companies and their officers, directors and employees. While manageable, EMX expects this evolution (which affects most mineral exploration and royalty companies) might result in increased costs.
Employees
At its financial year ended December 31, 2021, EMX had 40 employees and consultants working at various locations throughout the world.
Foreign Operations
EMX's mineral property interests are located in the North America, Fennoscandia, Australia, and Latin America, as well as in areas traditionally considered to be risky from a political or economic perspective, including Serbia, Turkey, and Haiti.
Bankruptcy Reorganizations
There has not been any voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy, receivership or similar proceedings against EMX within the three most recently completed financial years or the current financial year.
Material Reorganizations
Except as disclosed under the heading "Three Year History", there has not been any material reorganization of EMX or its subsidiaries within the three most recently completed financial years or the current financial year.
Social or Environmental Policies
EMX has implemented various social policies that are fundamental to its operations, such as policies regarding its relationship with the communities where the Company operates.
EMX is committed to the implementation of a comprehensive Health, Safety, Environment, Labor and Community Policy and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy (the "Policies"). EMX ensures these Policies are made known to all its managers, staff, contractors and exploration and joint venture partners, and that the requirements contained therein are adequately planned, resourced implemented and monitored wherever EMX is actively managing the project and where EMX has obtained a formal commitment from its exploration and joint venture partners to adopt the same Policies.
1. Environmental Policy
The Company believes that good environmental management at every project it manages, whether in the exploration phase, feasibility stage, project construction or mine site operation, requires proactive health and safety procedures, transparent interaction with local communities and implementation of prudent expenditures and business performance standards that constitutes the foundation for successful exploration and subsequent development if the results warrant it.
EMX will develop and implement appropriate standard operating procedures for different stages of its ground technical surveys, prospecting and evaluation and development work which procedures will be designed to meet all applicable environmental requirements and best environmental practices in the mineral exploration industry.
2. Community Relations, Communication and Notification Policy
Proactive interaction with the stakeholders on whom the Company's exploration and development programs may impact is considered an important part of the long-term investment that the Company is planning in its exploration programs in North America, Turkey, Europe, Haiti, Australia, and the Asia-Pacific region.
- EMX recognizes that from the inception of exploration activities or a new field work program, and as the exploration project progresses towards development, it will be important to:
- communicate and proactively engage with all local communities and other stakeholders that may be affected by its exploration programs;
- inform and obtain a consensus with the full range of stakeholders that may be impacted upon by exploration, evaluation and development; and
- identify any vulnerable or marginalized groups within the affected communities (e.g., women, elders or handicapped) and ensure they are also reached by above information disclosure and consultation activities.
In these respects, EMX will work actively and transparently with governmental authorities, other elected parties, non-governmental organizations, and the communities themselves to ensure that the communities are aware of the activities of the Company, and that the impact and benefits of such activities are a benefit to the communities.
When detailed or advanced exploration activities, including drilling, evaluation and other such programs, are implemented, the Company will endeavor to identify how the impacts of such work on communities can best be managed, and how benefits can best be provided to communities through its activities. This will be undertaken in consultation with the affected communities.
3. Labour, Health and Safety Policy
The health and safety of its employees, contractors, affected communities and any other role players that may participate and be affected by the activities of EMX are crucial to the long-term success of the Company.
The Company will establish and maintain a constructive work-management relationship, promote the fair treatment, non-discrimination, and equal opportunity of workers in accordance with Performance Standards 2, Labor and Working Conditions of the International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group.
Every effort will be made through training, regular reviews and briefings, and other procedures to ensure that best practice labour, health and safety and good international industry practices are implemented and maintained by EMX, including prompt and in-depth accident and incident investigation and the implementation of the conclusions thereof. The Company will take measures to prevent any child labour or forced labour.
The Company's aim is at all times to achieve zero lost-time injuries and fatalities.
4. Development Stage Environmental and Social Management Policy
EMX will communicate and consult with local communities and stakeholders with a view to fostering mutual understanding and shared benefits through the promotion and maintenance of open and constructive dialogue and working relationships.
RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
Investment in the Common Shares involves a significant degree of risk and should be considered speculative due to the nature of EMX's business and the present stage of its development. Prospective investors should carefully review the following factors together with other information contained in this AIF before making an investment decision.
Mineral Property Exploration Risks
The business of mineral exploration and extraction involves a high degree of risk. Few properties that are explored ultimately become producing mines. The main operating risks include ensuring ownership of and access to mineral properties by confirmation that royalty agreements, option agreements, claims and leases are in good standing and obtaining permits for exploration activities, mine development, and mining operations.
EMX is currently earning an interest in some of its properties through option agreements and acquisition of title to the properties is only completed when the option conditions have been met. These conditions generally include making property payments, incurring exploration expenditures on the properties and can include the satisfactory completion of pre-feasibility or other studies. If the Company does not satisfactorily complete these option conditions in the time frame laid out in the option agreements, the Company's title to the related property will not vest and the Company will have to write-off any previously capitalized costs related to that property.
The market prices for precious, base, and other metals can be volatile and there is no assurance that a profitable market will exist for a production decision to be made or for the ultimate sale of the metals even if commercial quantities of precious and other metals are discovered or are being mined, respectively.
Unknown Defects or Impairments in EMX's Royalty or Streaming Interests
Unknown defects in or disputes relating to the royalty and streaming interests EMX holds or acquires may prevent EMX from realizing the anticipated benefits from its royalty and stream interests, and could have a material adverse effect on EMX's business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. It is also possible that material changes could occur that may adversely affect management's estimate of the carrying value of EMX's royalty and stream interests and could result in impairment charges. While EMX seeks to confirm the existence, validity, enforceability, terms and geographic extent of the royalty and stream interests EMX acquires, there can be no assurance that disputes over these and other matters will not arise. Confirming these matters, as well as the title to a mining property on which EMX holds or seeks to acquire a royalty or stream interest, is a complex matter, and is subject to the application of the laws of each jurisdiction to the circumstances of each parcel of a mining property and to the documents reflecting the royalty or stream interest. Similarly, royalty and stream interests in many jurisdictions are contractual in nature, rather than interests in land, and therefore may be subject to change of control, bankruptcy or the insolvency of operators. EMX often does not have the protection of security interests over property that EMX could liquidate to recover all or part of EMX's investment in a royalty or stream interest. Even if EMX retains its royalty and stream interests in a mining project after any change of control, bankruptcy or insolvency of the operator, the project may end up under the control of a new operator, who may or may not operate the project in a similar manner to the current operator, which may negatively impact EMX.
Operators' Interpretation of EMX's Royalty and Stream Interests; Unfulfilled Contractual Obligations
EMX's royalty and stream interests generally are subject to uncertainties and complexities arising from the application of contract and property laws in the jurisdictions where the mining projects are located. Operators and other parties to the agreements governing EMX's royalty and stream interests may interpret EMX's interests in a manner adverse to the Company or otherwise may not abide by their contractual obligations, and EMX could be forced to take legal action to enforce its contractual rights. EMX may not be successful in enforcing its contractual rights, and EMX's revenues relating to any challenged royalty or stream interests may be delayed, curtailed or eliminated during any such dispute or if EMX's position is not upheld, which could have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. Disputes could arise challenging, among other things:
- the existence or geographic extent of the royalty or stream interest;
- methods for calculating the royalty or stream interest, including whether certain operator costs may properly be deducted from gross proceeds when calculating royalties determined on a net basis;
- third party claims to the same royalty interest or to the property on which EMX has a royalty or stream interest;
- various rights of the operator or third parties in or to the royalty or stream interest;
- production and other thresholds and caps applicable to payments of royalty or stream interests;
- the obligation of an operator to make payments on royalty and stream interests; and
- various defects or ambiguities in the agreement governing a royalty and stream interest.
Revenue and Royalty Risks
EMX cannot accurately or reliably predict future revenues or operating results of an area mining activity. Management expects future revenues from the Timok Project in Serbia, Leeville royalty property in Nevada, Caserones royalty in Chile, and Gediktepe royalty in Turkey, to fluctuate depending on the level of future production and metal prices. For the Leeville property, there is also a risk that the operator may cease to operate in the Company’s area of interest. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that royalty payments will continue or materialize and be received by the Company from either property.
EMX also earns or is due additional revenues including stages option payments, advanced annual royalty payments, management or operator fees, and anti-dilution provisions within various property agreements. There is a risk that any of these payments will be received, and timing of any receipts may fluctuate. Further, certain payments may be dependent on milestone conditions, or the value may be based on certain market conditions including metal prices, or the market price of equity interests received. At the time of entering into an agreement, management cannot reasonably estimate the value of these future receipts.
Royalty Operation and Exploration Funding Risk
EMX's strategy is to seek exploration partners through options to fund exploration and project development. The main risk of this strategy is that the funding parties may not be able to raise sufficient capital to satisfy exploration and other expenditure terms in a particular option agreement. As a result, exploration and development of one or more of the Company's property interests may be delayed depending on whether EMX can find another party or has enough capital resources to fund the exploration and development on its own.
Fluctuating Metal Prices
Factors beyond the control of the Company have a direct effect on global metal prices, which can and have fluctuated widely, and there is no assurance that a profitable market will exist for a production decision to be made or for the ultimate sale of the metals even if commercial quantities of precious and other metals are discovered on any of EMX's properties and the properties on which it holds royalties. Consequently, the economic viability of any of these exploration projects and EMX's or the operator's ability to finance the development of its projects cannot be accurately predicted and may be adversely affected by fluctuations in metal prices.
Extensive Governmental Regulation and Permitting Requirements Risks
Exploration, development and mining of minerals are subject to extensive laws and regulations at various governmental levels governing the acquisition of the mining interests, prospecting, development, mining, production, exports, taxes, labour standards, occupational health, waste disposal, toxic substances, land use, environmental protection, mine safety and other matters. In addition, the current and future operations, from exploration through development activities and production, require permits, licenses and approvals from some of these governmental authorities. EMX has, and believes the operators of properties on which it holds royalty interests have, obtained all government licenses, permits and approvals necessary for the operation of its business to date. However, additional licenses, permits and approvals may be required. The failure to obtain any licenses, permits or approvals that may be required or the revocation of existing ones would have a material and adverse effect on EMX, its business and results of operations.
Failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permits may result in enforcement actions thereunder, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities requiring EMX's or the project operator's operations to cease or be curtailed, and may include corrective measures requiring capital expenditures, installation of additional equipment or remedial actions. EMX and such operators may be required to compensate those suffering loss or damage by reason of their mineral exploration activities and may have civil or criminal fines or penalties imposed for violations of such laws, regulations and permits. Any such events could have a material and adverse effect on EMX and its business and could result in EMX not meeting its business objectives.
Foreign Countries and Political Risks
The Company operates in and holds royalties on properties in countries with varied political and economic environments. As such, it is subject to certain risks, including currency fluctuations and possible political or economic instability which may result in the impairment or loss of mineral concessions or other mineral rights, opposition from environmental or other non-governmental organizations, and mineral exploration and mining activities may be affected in varying degrees by political stability and government regulations relating to the mineral exploration and mining industry. Any changes in regulations or shifts in political attitudes are beyond the control of the Company and may adversely affect its business. Exploration and development may be affected in varying degrees by government regulations with respect to restrictions on future exploitation and production, price controls, export controls, foreign exchange controls, income taxes, expropriation of property, environmental legislation and mine and site safety.
Notwithstanding any progress in restructuring political institutions or economic conditions, the present administration, or successor governments, of some countries in which EMX operates or holds royalty interests may not be able to sustain any progress. If any negative changes occur in the political or economic environment of these countries, it may have an adverse effect on the Company's operations in those countries. The Company does not carry political risk insurance.
Impact and Risks of Epidemics
All of EMX's royalty properties and royalty generation operations are subject to the risk of emerging infectious diseases, including COVID-19, or the threat of outbreaks of viruses or other contagions through the mining operations and exploration properties to which EMX's royalty interests and potential royalty interests relate. In addition, EMX's own operations are exposed to infectious disease risks. Accordingly, any outbreak or threat of an outbreak of a virus or other contagions or epidemic disease could have a material adverse effect on EMX, its business, results from operations and financial condition.
The current novel Coronavirus (COVID-19 and its variants) health pandemic is significantly impacting the global economy and commodity and financial markets. The full extent and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is unknown and to date has included extreme volatility in financial markets, a slowdown in economic activity, extreme volatility in commodity prices (including gold, silver, palladium and oil and gas) and has raised the prospect of an extended global recession. As efforts are undertaken to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the operation and development of mining projects may be impacted. If the operation or development of one or more of the properties in which the Company holds a royalty, stream or other interest and from which it receives or expects to receive revenue is suspended, it may have an adverse impact on the Company's profitability, financial condition and the trading price of the Company's securities. The broader impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on investors, businesses, the global economy or financial and commodity markets may also have a material adverse impact on the Company's profitability, results of operations, financial conditions and the trading price of the Company's securities. The Company continues to monitor the situation and the impact COVID-19 may have on its business.
Financing and Share Price Fluctuation Risks
EMX has limited financial resources and has no assurance that additional funding will be available for further exploration and development of its projects. Further exploration and development of one or more of the Company's projects may be dependent upon the Company's ability to obtain financing through equity or debt financing or other means. Failure to obtain this financing could result in delay or indefinite postponement of further exploration and development of EMX's projects which could result in the loss of one or more of its properties.
The securities markets can experience a high degree of price and volume volatility, and the market price of securities of many companies, particularly those considered to be development stage companies such as EMX, may experience wide fluctuations in share prices which will not necessarily be related to their operating performance, underlying asset values or prospects. There can be no assurance that share price fluctuations will not occur in the future, and if they do occur, there may be a severe impact on the Company's ability to raise additional funds through equity issues.
Competition
EMX competes with many companies that have substantially greater financial and technical resources for project acquisition and development, as well as for the recruitment and retention of qualified employees.
Return on Investment Risk
Investors cannot expect to receive a dividend on an investment in the Common Shares in the foreseeable future, if at all.
No Assurance of Titles or Borders
The acquisition of the right to explore for and exploit mineral properties is a very detailed and time consuming process. There can be no guarantee that the Company has acquired title to any such surface or mineral rights or that such rights will be obtained in the future. To the extent they are obtained, titles to the Company's surface or mineral properties may be challenged or impugned and title insurance is generally not available. The Company's surface or mineral properties may be subject to prior unregistered agreements, transfers or claims and title may be affected by, among other things, undetected defects. Such third-party claims and defects could have a material adverse impact on the Company's operations.
Currency Risks
The Company's equity financings are sourced in Canadian dollars but much of its expenditures are in local currencies or U.S. dollars. At this time, there are no currency hedges in place. Therefore, a weakening of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar or local currencies could have an adverse impact on the amount of funds available and work conducted.
Insured and Uninsured Risks
In the course of exploration, development and operation of mineral properties, the Company is subject to a number of risks and hazards in general, including adverse environmental conditions, operational accidents, labour disputes, unusual or unexpected geological conditions, changes in the regulatory environment and natural phenomena such as inclement weather conditions, floods, and earthquakes. Such occurrences could result in damage to the Company's property or facilities and equipment, personal injury or death, environmental damage to properties of the Company or others, delays, monetary losses and possible legal liability.
Although the Company may maintain insurance to protect against certain risks in such amounts as it considers reasonable, its insurance may not cover all the potential risks associated with its operations. The Company may also be unable to maintain insurance to cover these risks at economically feasible premiums or for other reasons. Should such liabilities arise, they could reduce or eliminate future profitability and result in increased costs, have a material adverse effect on the Company's results and result in the decline in value of the securities of the Company.
Some work is carried out through independent consultants and the Company requires all consultants to carry their own insurance to cover any potential liabilities as a result of their work for the Company.
Environmental Risks and Hazards
The activities of the Company are subject to environmental regulations issued and enforced by government agencies. Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner that will require stricter standards and enforcement and involve increased fines and penalties for non-compliance, more stringent environmental assessments of proposed projects, and a heightened degree of responsibility for companies and their officers, directors and employees. There can be no assurance that future changes in environmental regulation, if any, will not adversely affect the Company's operations. Environmental hazards may exist on properties in which the Company holds interests which are unknown to the Company at present.
Changes in Climate Conditions
A number of governments have introduced or are moving to introduce climate change legislation and treaties at the international, national, state or provincial, and local levels. Regulation relating to emission levels (such as carbon taxes) and energy efficiency is becoming more stringent. If the current regulatory trend continues, this may result in increased costs at some or all of the Company's operations. In addition, the physical risks of climate change may also have an adverse effect on the Company's operations. Extreme weather events have the potential to disrupt operations at the Company's properties and may require the Company to make additional expenditures to mitigate the impact of such events.
Key Personnel Risk
EMX's success is dependent upon the performance of key personnel working in management and administrative capacities or as consultants. The loss of the services of key personnel could have a material and adverse effect on the Company, its business and results of operations.
Conflicts of Interest
In accordance with the corporate laws of British Columbia, the directors and officers of a corporation are required to act honestly, in good faith and in the best interests of the Company. EMX's directors and officers may serve as directors or officers of other companies or have significant shareholdings in other resource industry companies and, to the extent that such other companies may participate in ventures in which the Company may participate, such directors and officers may have a conflict of interest in negotiating and concluding terms respecting the extent of such participation. If such a conflict of interest arises at a meeting of the Company's directors, a director with such a conflict will abstain from voting for or against the approval of such participation or such terms.
Passive Foreign Investment Company
United States ("U.S.") in Common Shares should be aware that based on current business plans and financial expectations, EMX currently expects that it will be classified as a passive foreign investment company ("PFIC") under United States tax laws for the financial year ending December 31, 2021 and expects to be a PFIC in future tax years. If EMX is a PFIC for any tax year during a U.S. shareholder's ownership of Common Shares, then such U.S. shareholder generally will be required to treat any gain realized upon a disposition of Common Shares, or any so-called "excess distribution" received on its Common Shares, as ordinary income, and to pay an interest charge on a portion of such gain or distributions, unless the U.S. shareholder makes a timely and effective "qualified electing fund" election ("QEF Election") or a "mark-to-market" election with respect to the Common Shares. A U.S. shareholder who makes a QEF Election generally must report on a current basis its share of EMX's net capital gain and ordinary earnings for any year in which EMX is a PFIC, whether or not EMX distributes any amounts to its shareholders.
For each tax year that EMX qualifies as a PFIC, EMX intends to: (a) make available to U.S. shareholders, upon their written request, a "PFIC Annual Information Statement" as described in United States Treasury Regulation Section 1.1295-1(g) (or any successor Treasury Regulation) and (b) upon written request, use commercially reasonable efforts to provide all additional information that such U.S. shareholder is required to obtain in connection with maintaining such QEF Election with regard to EMX. EMX may elect to provide such information on its website www.EMXRoyalty.com. Each U.S. investor should consult its own tax advisor regarding the PFIC rules and the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Common Shares.
Corporate Governance and Public Disclosure Regulations
The Company is subject to changing rules and regulations promulgated by a number of United States and Canadian governmental and self-regulated organizations, including the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the British Columbia and Alberta Securities Commissions, the NYSE American and the TSX-Venture exchanges. These rules and regulations continue to evolve in scope and complexity and many new requirements have been created, making compliance more difficult and uncertain. The Company's efforts to comply with the new rules and regulations have resulted in, and are likely to continue to result in, increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities.
Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
Applicable securities laws require an annual assessment by management of the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. The Company may in the future fail to achieve and maintain the adequacy of its internal control over financial reporting, as such standards are modified, supplemented, or amended from time to time, and the Company may not be able to ensure that it can conclude on an ongoing basis that it has effective internal control over financial reporting.
Future acquisitions may provide the Company with challenges in implementing the required processes, procedures, and controls in its acquired operations. Acquired corporations may not have disclosure controls and procedures or internal control over financial reporting that are as thorough or effective as those required by securities laws currently applicable to the Company.
No evaluation can provide complete assurance that the Company's internal control over financial reporting will detect or uncover all failures of persons within the Company to disclose material information otherwise required to be reported. The effectiveness of the Company's controls and procedures could also be limited by simple errors or faulty judgments. In addition, should the Company expand in the future, the challenges involved in implementing appropriate internal control over financial reporting will increase and will require that the Company continue to improve its internal control over financial reporting.
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS
Three Year History
Financial Year Ended December 31, 2019
On February 15, 2019, EMX received 4,808,770 common shares of Norra Metals Corp. (TSX-V: NORA), representing a 9.9% equity stake in Norra. EMX acquired the shares pursuant to the sale of the Bleikvassli, Sagvoll and Meråker projects in Norway, and the Bastuträsk project in Sweden.
On February 20, 2019, EMX acquired 1,995,672 common shares (representing 2.63% of the outstanding shares) and warrants to purchase an additional 1,995,672 common shares of Norden Crown Metals until February 20, 2022, for C$0.15 per share. The warrants have expired without being exercised.
On February 28, 2019, EMX executed an agreement granting an option on the Røstvangen and Vakkerlien properties in Norway to Playfair Mining Ltd. The agreement provided EMX with share equity in Playfair, and upon Playfair's completion of the option terms and other considerations, a 9.9% interest in Playfair, a 3% NSR royalty on the projects, and advance royalty payments.
On April 1, 2019, EMX executed an agreement for the sale of 13 exploration licenses comprising EMX's Gold Line Project in central Sweden to Gold Line Resources Ltd. ("GLR"), a British Columbia company. The Agreement provided EMX with an initial 9.9% interest in GLR, advance royalty payments, and a 3% NSR royalty interest in the properties.
In an April 2, 2019, news release the Company announced that Nevsun Resources Ltd. had announced significant advancements at the Timok Project royalty property, including: (a) an updated high grade Upper Zone PFS, (b) commencement of an Upper Zone exploration decline, and (c) completing an initial inferred resource for the Lower Zone porphyry project. The Q1 2019 acquisition of Nevsun by Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd. was also announced.
On April 10, 2019, EMX executed an option to purchase agreement for the sale of the Swift and Selena Carlin-style gold projects in Nevada to Ridgeline Minerals Corporation (TSX-V: RDG). The Agreement provided EMX with an initial 9.9% interest in a subsidiary of Ridgeline, and for each project a 3.25% production royalty and advance royalty and milestone payments.
On April 12, 2019, EMX received a US$2 million escrow distribution from the sale of the Malmyzh project, which in addition to the initial US$65.15 million payment in 2018, brought the total cash paid to EMX to US$67.15 million.
In an April 24, 2019, news release the Company announced a C$1.0 million strategic equity investment in Millrock Resources Inc. (TSX-V: MRO, OTCQX: MLRKF) through a private placement financing. In return, Millrock granted royalty interests to EMX on some of Millrock's properties in the Goodpaster Mining District of Alaska which hosts the Pogo high grade underground gold mine. The private placement funds were for the support of Millrock's programs in the Goodpaster District.
On April 25,2019, EMX acquired 7,142,857 common shares (representing 9.4% of the outstanding shares) and warrants to purchase an additional 7,142,857 common shares of Millrock until December 14, 2019 at C$0.14 per share; and then C$0.17 per share until December 14, 2020; and then C$0.20 per share until December 14, 2021.
On May 17, 2019, EMX executed a purchase agreement to acquire royalty interests from Corvus Gold Inc. in Alaska's Goodpaster mining district for C$350,000, and an equity investment of C$900,000 (equivalent to 500,000 shares) in Corvus through a private placement financing. EMX's acquisition of the Corvus royalty property interests complemented the Company's acquisition of Goodpaster royalty property interests from Millrock.
On August 14, 2019 the Company received C$636,000 as royalty and pre-production payments from properties in Turkey.
In an August 27, 2019, news release the Company provided an update regarding its exploration programs at the Queensland Gold project in northeastern Australia. The Queensland Gold property encompasses a 46,400-hectare area covering historic gold mines, gold occurrences, drill defined zones of gold mineralization, and multiple untested gold geochemical anomalies indicated by historic data sets.
On September 13, 2019, EMX executed purchase agreements for the sale of the Alanköy and Trab-23 projects in Turkey to Kar Mineral Madencilik İnşaat Turizm Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş., a privately-owned Turkish company. EMX received a gold bullion payment (or the cash equivalent) at closing, uncapped 2.5% NSR royalty interests on each project, AAR and milestone payments, and work commitments by Kar to advance the projects.
In a September 30, 2019, news release the Company announced that GLR had completed an oversubscribed private financing, having raised C$ 912,750. partner Gold Line Resources ("GLR"), a British Columbia Company, had completed an oversubscribed private financing, having raised C$912,750.
On October 22, 2019, EMX entered into a Term Sheet and Loan Agreement with Norden whereby the Company was to loan C$800,000 to Norden for one year.
On October 30, 2019, EMX acquired 791,000 common shares (representing 1.04% of the outstanding shares) of Norden. The acquisition was made pursuant to purchases through the facilities of the TSX-V at a price of C$0.05 per share (C$39,550 in total). The shares were acquired for investment purposes.
On November 14, 2019, the received C$776,000 (US$584,000) as pre-production payments from the Akarca and Sisorta royalty properties.
In December 2019, EMX acquired a 19.9% equity interest (18.9% on a fully diluted basis), in Rawhide Acquisition Holding LLC ("RAH"), a privately held Delaware company that owns the Rawhide gold-silver mining operation. The Rawhide mine is located approximately 50 miles from Fallon, Nevada, and is a fully permitted open pit heap leaching operation that produces gold and silver doré. RAH distributes 50% of its taxable income to the LLC members on a quarterly basis as a tax distribution. As well, RAH has historically made significant additional ordinary distributions to its members and may continue doing so given ongoing mining at the Rawhide and Regent open pits.
Financial Year Ended December 31, 2020
In January 2020 EMX completed the transfer of its Balya polymetallic royalty property in Turkey from Dedeman Madencilik San. ve Tic. A. Ş. to Esan Eczacibaşi Endüstriyel Hammaddeler San. ve Tic. A.Ş. a private Turkish company that operates 40 mines and eight processing plants, and is one of Turkey's leading producers of raw materials and base metals. Esan operates a lead-zinc mine and flotation mill on the property immediately adjacent to EMX's Balya royalty property. EMX retains a 4% NSR royalty on the property that is uncapped and cannot be repurchased. Dedeman commenced pilot-scale production in 2015; and reached an agreement to sell the property and mining facilities to Esan in late 2019. As part of the transaction, EMX executed a revised royalty agreement with Esan that provides for the blending of materials mined from the Esan property and EMX's royalty property and provides detailed guidelines regarding royalty payment calculations.
On February 10, 2020, EMX entered into an agreement with Akkerman Exploration B.V., a private Netherlands company, to acquire a 2% NSR royalty on various exploration licenses totalling just over 1,000 hectares (the "Kaukua Royalty") in Finland. The Kaukua Royalty was acquired from Akkerman by EMX for C$125,000 and the issuance of 52,000 Common Shares. EMX's NSR royalty applies to all future mineral production from the Kaukua Royalty licenses. Palladium One can purchase 1% of the NSR royalty prior to the delivery of a "bankable feasibility study" for €1 million. The remaining 1% of the NSR royalty is uncapped and cannot be repurchased.
On February 13, 2020 the Company executed an option agreement for the Espedalen, Hosanger, and Sigdal nickel-copper-cobalt projects in Norway with Pursuit Minerals Limited, a publicly traded company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, focused on battery metal assets in Fennoscandia. The Agreement provides EMX with an equity interest in Pursuit, a 3% NSR royalty on each project, and other considerations including AAR and milestone payments. Pursuit may also issue up to 9.9% of its issued and outstanding share capital to EMX as certain conditions are satisfied.
On February 14, 2020 EMX closed a US$ 3.79 million strategic investment in Ensero Holdings, Inc., a privately held Delaware corporation. EMX's investment in Ensero provides for positive cash flow to EMX from dividend and other payments totalling US$ 8.54 million over seven years and a 7.5% equity position, as well as the basis for a strategic alliance to identify mineral properties for acquisition, reclamation, and subsequent sale.
On February 27, 2020 the Company executed an agreement for the sale of the Tomtebo and Trollberget polymetallic projects in Sweden to District Metals Corp. The agreement provided EMX with an initial 9.9% equity interest in District, AAR payments, 2.5% NSR royalty interests in the projects, and other consideration.
On March 19, 2020 EMX entered into an agreement to purchase net smelter returns royalty interests covering 18 properties in Chile from Revelo Resources Corp. for US$ 1,162,000. The agreement included a provision for Revelo to repay a loan due to EMX totalling approximately US$ 369,907.
On March 30, 2020, the Company executed an option agreement for the Antelope gold project in Nevada with Hochschild Mining PLC. The Agreement provides EMX with work commitments and cash payments during Hochschild's earn-in period, and upon earn-in, a 4% NSR royalty, AAR payments, and milestone payments. Pursuant to the agreement, Hochschild can earn 100% interest in the project by: (a) making option payments totalling US$ 600,000; (b) completing US$ 1,500,000 in exploration expenditures before the fifth anniversary of the Agreement; and (c) reimbursing EMX the previous year's holding costs.
On April 6, 2020 the Company executed three separate option agreements for the Erickson Ridge, South Orogrande, and Robber Gulch gold projects in Idaho with Gold Lion Resources (NV) Inc., a subsidiary of Gold Lion Resources Inc. (CSE: GL). The agreements provide for share and cash payments to EMX, as well as work commitments during Gold Lion's earn-in period for each given project, and upon earn-in, a 3.5% net smelter return royalty, AAR payments, and milestone payments. Pursuant to each agreement, Gold Lion can exercise its option to earn 100% interest in a given project by: (a) making option payments totalling US$ 600,000 to EMX, (b) delivering a total of 950,000 shares of Gold Lion to EMX, and (c) completing US$ 1,500,000 in exploration expenditures before the fifth anniversary of the agreement.
On May 18, 2020 EMX executed an amendment to its Option Agreement with Sienna Resources Inc., originally signed in December 2017 for the Slättberg nickel-copper-cobalt-PGE (Ni-Cu-Co-PGE) project in southern Sweden. Under the amended agreement Sienna can earn a 100% interest in the Kuusamo Project in Finland, subject to a 3% NSR royalty to EMX by: (a) Issuing an additional 500,000 shares of Sienna to EMX upon execution of the amendment agreement; (b) Spending a minimum of C$ 250,000 on exploration and project advancement over the next two years; (c) Reimbursing EMX for its acquisition costs and expenses related to the Kuusamo project; and (d) Issuing 1,500,000 additional shares of Sienna to EMX at the end of the two year option period. If Sienna satisfies the conditions of the option agreement and elects to acquire the project, EMX will receive AAR payments of US$ 25,000 commencing on the first anniversary of the option exercise date, with each AAR payment increasing by US$ 5,000 per year until reaching a cap of US$ 75,000 per year.
On June 4, 2020 the Company executed a purchase agreement to acquire a portfolio of royalty and property interests from Canadian prospector and entrepreneur Perry English for C$ 3 million. The portfolio consists of over 60 properties, including 52 projects optioned to third parties, of which 39 include provisions for NSR royalty interests. The portfolio may generate cash flow to EMX from option payments of more than C$ 2.5 million over the next three and a half years, as well as share-based payments valued at approximately C$ 800,000 using market prices current at the time of the transaction. Based on the valuation at the time of the transaction, EMX's investment will pay for itself, with the Company retaining upside from NSR royalty interests that range from 0.75% to 2.5% on the 39 optioned projects.
On August 11, 2020 EMX executed of an option agreement for the Løkken and Kjøli polymetallic projects in Norway and the Southern Gold Line properties in Sweden with New Dimension Resources ("NDR") (name changed to Capella Minerals Limited November 10, 2020, TSX-V: CMIL). The agreement provides EMX with up to a 9.9% equity interest in NDR (CMIL), AAR payments, 2.5% NSR royalty interests in the projects, and other consideration.
On September 4, 2020 the Company executed an exploration and option agreement for the Queensland Gold project in northeastern Australia with Many Peaks Gold Pty Ltd ("MPL"), a private Australian company. The agreement provides EMX with cash, work commitments, AAR payments, and a 2.5% NSR royalty interest in the project, as well as other consideration.
On October 21, 2020 EMX executed another amendment to its option agreement with Sienna Resources Inc., originally entered into in December, 2017. The amendment adds EMX's Bleka and Vekselmyr projects in southern Norway to the option agreement, whereby Sienna will enter a two-year option period to acquire 100% interest in the Norway projects by satisfying work commitments and making payments of cash and equity to EMX, with EMX retaining 3% net smelter returns royalty interests upon Sienna's earn-in. Sienna can earn a 100% interest in the Bleka and Vekselmyr projects by: (a) Issuing an additional 500,000 shares of Sienna to EMX upon execution of the amended Agreement; (b) Spending a minimum of C$ 250,000 per year on exploration on the projects over the next two years; (c) Reimbursing EMX for its acquisition costs and expenses related to the Bleka and Vekselmyr projects; and (d) Issuing 1,500,000 additional shares of Sienna to EMX at the end of the two-year option period. If Sienna satisfies the earn-in conditions of the agreement and elects to acquire the projects, EMX will receive AAR payments of US$ 25,000 for each property commencing on the first anniversary of the option exercise date, with each AAR payment increasing by US$ 5,000 per year until reaching a cap of US$ 75,000 per year.
On November 24, 2020 EMX executed a purchase agreement for a portfolio of royalty and property interests from Frontline Gold Corporation (TSX-V: FGC) for C$ 800,000, which will be paid 50% in cash and 50% in shares of EMX. The portfolio consists of 41 legacy claims (totalling approximately 6,100 hectares), distributed over four properties (Gullrock Lake, Duchess, Red Lake, and Tilly) in the Red Lake mining district, Ontario, which are currently operated by Pacton Gold Inc.
On December 11, 2020 the Company acquired ownership of 1.2 million common shares (representing 17.01% of the outstanding shares) of Daura Capital Corp. ("Daura) The shares were acquired for investment purposes pursuant to a private placement under the prospectus exemption set out in section 2.3 [Accredited investor] of National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions of the Canadian Securities Administrators at a price of C$0.15 per share for the total consideration of C$180,000.
Financial Year Ended December 31, 2021
On January 22, 2021, EMX optioned the Flåt, Bamble and Brattåssen nickel-copper-PGE-cobalt projects in Norway, and the Mjövattnet and Njuggträskliden nickel-copper-PGE-cobalt projects in Sweden, to Martin Laboratories EMG Limited, a private UK based company. The Agreement provides EMX with an equity interest in Martin, a 2.5% NSR royalty on each project, and other considerations including AAR and milestone payments. Martin may also issue up to 9.9% of its issued and outstanding share capital to EMX as certain conditions are satisfied.
In a February 11, 2021, news release the Company announced the commencement of development construction carried out by its operating partner Esan Eczacibaşi Endüstriyel Hammaddeler San. ve Tic. A.Ş. on the Balya lead-zinc-silver royalty property in western Turkey. EMX originally acquired the mineral rights to the Balya project via its exploration programs in Turkey, and then subsequently sold the project to a partner company for further advancement and development, with EMX retaining a 4% NSR royalty.
On March 1, 2021, EMX filed on SEDAR a technical report, "NI 43-101 Technical Report - Timok Copper-Gold Project Royalty, Serbia" dated February 26, 2021, prepared by Mineral Resource Management LLC.
On March 16, 2021, EMX through its subsidiary Bronco Creek, optioned the Red Top, Ripsey West, and Miller Mountain projects in North America to Zaya Resources, Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Zacapa Resources Ltd. ("Zacapa"), a privately held British Columbia corporation. The exploration and option agreement provides EMX with a 9.9% equity interest in Zacapa, a 2.5% production royalty for Red Top and Ripsey West, a 3.5% production royalty for Miller Mountain, and for each project advance royalty and milestone payments.
On March 19, 2021, the Company executed an asset purchase agreement with GLR. Pursuant to the Agreement, GLR acquired 100% interests in the Oijärvi Gold Project in central Finland and Solvik Gold Project in southern Sweden from Agnico for staged payments over three years totalling US$ 7 million in cash, US$ 1.5 million in GLR shares, and US$ 1.5 million in shares of EMX. Agnico retained a 2% NSR royalty on the projects, 1% of which may be purchased at any time by EMX for US$ 1 million. EMX will receive additional share and cash payments from GLR for the US$ 1.5 million of Common Shares issued to Agnico over the course of the Agreement.
On March 25, 2021, the Company entered into an agreement with GLR to transfer EMX's newly acquired exploration reservation in Finland's Oijärvi greenstone belt to Gold Line. EMX retained a 3%, 1% of which can be repurchased, and will be reimbursed its acquisition expenses in addition to other consideration. The Oijärvi Extension will be added as an additional property under the terms of EMX's 2019 agreement with GLR.
On April 14, 2021, EMX executed an option agreement for the Copper Warrior project in Utah with Warrior Metals Inc. a Utah corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of American West Metals Limited (ASX: AW1). The Agreement provides EMX with cash and share payments, as well as work commitments during Warrior Metals' earn-in period. Upon earn-in, EMX will retain a 2% NSR royalty and receive increasing AAR payments.
On April 23, 2021, EMX filed a preliminary short form base shelf prospectus with the securities commissions in each of the provinces and territories of Canada and a corresponding shelf registration statement on Form F-10 with the U.S Securities and Exchange Commission to enable the Company to make offerings of up to C$200 million of common shares, debt securities, warrants, subscription receipts, units, or any combination thereof, during the 25-month period that the Base Shelf Prospectus and Registration Statement remain valid.
On July 20, 2021, EMX executed an agreement for the sale of its Svärdsjö polymetallic project in Sweden to District Metals Corp ("District"). The agreement provides the Company with additional share equity in District (bringing EMX's ownership of District to 9.9%), AAR payments, a 2.5% NSR royalty interest in the project, and other consideration.
On July 30, 2021, EMX filed on SEDAR an amended and restated Timok Project Technical Report entitled: "NI 43-101 Technical Report - Timok Copper-Gold Project Royalty, Serbia" dated July 21, 2021 and with an effective date of December 31, 2020 prepared by Mineral Resource Management LLC.
On August 16, 2021, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire an effective 0.418% NSR royalty on the Caserones Copper-Molybdenum Mine located in Chile. Caserones is a significant porphyry copper-molybdenum mining operation in a top tier mining jurisdiction. The Caserones acquisition brings immediate cashflow to EMX's portfolio. To purchase the Caserones Royalty, EMX formed a 50%-50% partnership with Altus Strategies Plc (AIM: ALS, TSX-V: ALTS and OTCQX: ALTUF) to acquire an effective 0.836% NSR royalty for US$68.2 million. EMX and Altus each control an effective 0.418% NSR royalty interest and are each responsible for US$34.1 million of the total purchase price.
On August 16, 2021, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with Sprott Private Resource Lending II, LP. The Credit Agreement will increase the Company's current proposed US$10 million credit facility with Sprott, in connection with the Company's US$44 million to include financing for the Caserones Royalty acquisition.
On August 27, 2021, EMX executed an option agreement to sell five battery metals projects in Sweden to Swedish Nickel Pty. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Bayrock Resources Limited. Bayrock is an Australian unlisted public company with a pre-existing nickel mining asset in Sweden. In return for the projects, the Agreement provides EMX with up to a 6% equity interest in Bayrock, AAR payments, 3% NSR royalty interests, work commitments and other consideration.
On October 21, 2021, the Company closed the acquisition of a portfolio of royalty interests and deferred payments from SSR Mining Inc. The SSR royalty portfolio consists of 15 (previously disclosed as 16, but the Company now considers Gediktepe to be one royalty covering both the oxide phase as well as the sulfide phase) geographically diverse base and precious metals royalties. In addition to the producing royalty at the Gediktepe mine in Turkey, there are four advanced-stage royalty projects in Turkey, Peru, Chile and Argentina, and 10 early-stage royalties in Mexico, Canada, Chile, Argentina and the United States. The Company may also receive US$18 million in future cash payments (US$2.5 million received in Q4 of 2021) associated with two properties in South America. EMX has paid US$33 million in cash and issued 12,323,048 Common Shares valued at US$32.5 million to SSR to acquire the royalty portfolio. SSR now owns an approximate 12% undiluted equity interest in EMX. EMX will also make deferred and contingent payments to SSR of up to US$34 million if certain project advancement milestones are achieved associated with the Yenipazar project in Turkey.
On November 5, 2021, the Company closed the first tranche of its C$21.45 million private placement of 6.5 million units by the issuance of 6,337,347 units at C$3.30 each for gross proceeds of C$20,913,245. The units consisted of one common share of the Company and one-half of one transferable warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the purchase until November 5, 2023, of one common share at C$4.00 until November 5, 2022, and C$ 4.50 thereafter. EMX paid 6.0% cash commissions and issued that number of non-transferable compensation warrants equal to 6.0% of the number of units sold to investors introduced by certain finders. All of EMX's directors, as well as certain officers, purchased units in the first tranche. Each of their subscriptions constituted a 'related party transaction' under Canadian Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions.
On November 15, 2021, the Company optioned four precious metals projects located in Idaho and Nevada to Hochschild Mining PLC ("Hochschild"). The agreements provide EMX with work commitments and cash payments during Hochschild's earn-in period, and upon earn-in for a given project, a 4% NSR royalty, AAR payments, and milestone payments.
On November 16, 2021, the Company closed the second (final) tranche of its private placement of 6.5 million units at C$3.30 each for gross proceeds of C$21,450,000. Under the second tranche, the Company issued 162,653 units, with each unit consisting of one common share of the Company and one-half of one transferable warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the purchase until November 5, 2023, of one common share at C$4.00 until November 5, 2022 and C$4.50 thereafter. EMX paid a commission of C$3,960 and issued 1,200 compensation warrants to Raymond James Ltd. Each compensation warrant entitles the purchase until November 17, 2022, of one common share of the Company for C$3.50. Certain directors and officers of the Company purchased units in the second tranche. Each of their subscriptions constituted a 'related party transaction' under Canadian Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions.
On November 23, 2021, the Company received a scheduled payment of US$2.25 million for the Berenguela silver-copper project in Peru from Aftermath Silver Ltd. EMX's interest in Berenguela resulted from its acquisition of a portfolio of royalty interests and payments from SSR Mining Inc.
On December 17, 2021 the Company announced that it will deliver a Notice of Arbitration to Zijin Mining Group Ltd. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Nevsun Resources Ltd. pursuant to the Net Smelter Returns Royalty Agreement dated March 16, 2010 by and between Reservoir Capital Corp. (of which Nevsun is a successor in interest), and Euromax Resources Ltd (of which EMX is the acquirer of Euromax Resources Ltd's royalty interest) in order to preserve EMX's rights with respect to its royalty interests. Subsequently, on January 27, 2022, the Company announced that the Notice of Arbitration to Zijin had been suspended, and that discussions had commenced with the goal of reaching a mutually acceptable resolution.
MINERAL PROPERTIES
Introduction
EMX has been generating exploration projects for over 18 years and is now focused on entering into agreements to convert those assets into royalty interests, as well as directly acquiring new royalty properties. EMX has built a portfolio of precious metals, base metals, battery metals, and palladium-platinum royalty and mineral property interests that includes over 290 projects and spans five continents. These assets provide revenue streams to the Company from royalty payments, pre-production payments, and equity issuances while maintaining exposure to development and exploration upside optionality as projects are advanced by the operators and partners.
EMX supplements mineral property revenue streams and value creation by making strategic investments in undervalued companies or projects, with exit strategies that can include royalty positions, equity sales, or a combination of both. The Company's royalty, royalty generation, and strategic investment portfolio mainly consists of properties in North America, Europe, Turkey, Australia, and Latin America.
The following disclosure has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of United States securities laws. Unless otherwise indicated, all resource and reserve estimates have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Classification System ("CIM") - CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council, as amended.
Mineral Properties Overview
EMX's royalty interests in the Gediktepe Mine in Turkey, the Timok Mine in Serbia and the Caserones Mine in Chile are material to the Company (see section "Technical Information" below). Other property descriptions are included in this report, but the Company does not consider that individually these properties are material at this time. All of the Company's properties that have been optioned or sold include provisions for EMX's royalty interests. Many of these properties provide milestone and AMR or AAR payments that generate early revenue streams to EMX's benefit prior to production.
General comments regarding the following discussion of Mineral Properties are:
- The Company's, as well as its partners', exploration programs have been conducted in accordance with industry standard best practice guidelines. Exploration samples are securely submitted to independent, internationally certified (e.g., ISO) laboratories for preparation, assaying, and geochemical analysis. Routine QA/QC analysis is performed by EMX, including the utilization of certified reference materials, blanks, and duplicate samples.
- Reference made to nearby mines and mineral deposits in similar geologic settings provides context for EMX's properties, but this is not necessarily indicative that the Company's properties host similar mineralization.
- EMX has been closely monitoring developments regarding the COVID-19 pandemic with a focus on the jurisdictions in which the Company operates. EMX has developed and implemented COVID-19 prevention, monitoring and response plans following the guidelines of international agencies and the governments and regulatory agencies of each country in which it operates. Although significant restrictions were implemented (e.g., travel restrictions, etc.) at the onset of the pandemic and continuing into 2021, management adapted to the situation and continued to advance the Company's business initiatives. As of the date of this AIF, most of the restrictions have been removed or relaxed in the jurisdictions where the Company operates (e.g., travel restrictions, etc.), with EMX's field programs up-and-running at full speed.
An overview of EMX's producing royalties, advanced royalties, exploration royalties, royalty generation projects, and strategic investments are included in the following sections. In addition, Appendix A to this AIF includes a comprehensive table of EMX's royalty assets, and Appendix B summarizes resource and reserve statements for key royalty assets.
Producing Royalties
Asset | Location | Operator | Commodity | Stage | Royalty Interest |
Caserones | Chile | JX Nippon Mining & Metals | Copper (Molybdenum) | Producing | Effective 0.418% NSR |
Timok | Serbia | Zijin Mining Group Co, Ltd. | Copper-Gold | Producing | 0.5% NSR |
Leeville | USA | Nevada Gold Mines LLC | Gold | Producing | 1.0% GSR |
Gediktepe | Turkey | Lidya Madencilik Anayi ve Ticaret A.S. | Gold, Polymetallic | Oxide phase commissioned - initial production | 10% NSR on oxide zone and 2% NSR on sulfide zone |
Balya | Turkey | Esan Eczacibaşi Endüstriyel Hammaddeler San. ve Tic. A.Ş. | Zinc-Lead-Silver | Development - initial production | 4.0% NSR |
Caserones, Chile - The Caserones open pit mine is developed on a porphyry copper-molybdenum deposit in the Atacama Region of Chile's Andean Cordillera. The mine is operated by SCM Minera Lumina Copper Chile SpA, which is 100% indirectly owned by JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation. Caserones produces copper and molybdenum concentrates from a conventional crusher, mill, and flotation plant, as well as copper cathodes from a dump leach and solvent extraction and electrowinning plant. In 2020 the mine produced 104,917 tonnes of fine copper in concentrate, 2,453 tonnes of fine molybdenum in concentrate, and 22,056 tonnes of fine copper in cathodes (note: JX Nippon's year-end 2021 reporting is pending). EMX has an effective 0.418% NSR royalty on production from Caserones.
EMX formed a 50%-50% partnership with Altus Strategies Plc (AIM: ALS; TSX-V: ALTS; OTCQX: ALTUF) to purchase an effective 0.836% NSR royalty covering Caserones for US$68.2 million. EMX and Altus each control an effective 0.418% royalty interest and each were responsible for US$34.1 million of the purchase price. The closing was completed in September 2021, and since then EMX's Caserones effective royalty interest has provided immediate pre-tax cash flow to EMX consisting of US$2,339,000 in distributions related to production from the mine for Q2 and Q3 2021, and US$1,228,000 received subsequently for settlement of the Q4 payment.
Further discussion of the commercial terms, Altus partnership, and Caserones Mine description are provided in EMX's August 17, and September 3, 2021 News Releases, as well as the Company's Technical Report titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report Caserones Copper-Molybdenum Mine Royalty Region III, Chile" with an effective date of February 28, 2022 and filed on SEDAR (also see discussion under following section of this AIF titled "Technical Information").
Timok, Serbia - EMX's Timok Royalty is located in the Bor Mining District of Serbia and covers the Cukaru Peki copper-gold deposits. Cukaru Peki consists of a high-level body of high-grade, epithermal-style copper-gold mineralization referred to as the "Upper Zone", and a deeper body of porphyry-style copper-gold mineralization known as the "Lower Zone". EMX's Timok Royalty covering Cukaru Peki is stated to be a 0.5% NSR in the royalty agreement. The royalty agreement contains a provision for the reduction of the royalty rate under certain circumstances, but EMX does not believe that those conditions have been satisfied. The Timok project is currently owned and operated by Zijin Mining Group Ltd.
Production from the Upper Zone of Cukaru Peki commenced in Q4 2021, and EMX announced its intent to seek arbitration to resolve the issue about the royalty rate on the project news release dated December 17, 2021. Amicable discussions with Zijin commenced shortly after EMX's announcement, leading EMX to suspend plans to file a notice of arbitration as announced by news release dated January 27, 2022. Discussions between EMX and Zijin are continuing.
Further discussion of the Timok Mine description and EMX's royalty are provided in the Company's Technical Report titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report - Timok Copper-Gold Project Royalty, Serbia" with an effective date of December 31, 2020 and filed on SEDAR and amended report with an effective date of July 21, 2021 and filed on SEDAR (also see discussion under following section of this AIF titled "Technical Information").
Leeville, Nevada - The Leeville 1% gross smelter return royalty covers portions of West Leeville, Carlin East, Four Corners, Turf and other underground gold mining operations and deposits in the Northern Carlin Trend of Nevada (the "Leeville Royalty"). The Leeville Royalty property is included in the Nevada Gold Mines LLC ("NGM") Barrick-Newmont Nevada joint venture (61.5% - 38.5%, respectively).
Leeville Royalty provisional payments to EMX totalled approximately US $1,865,000 during 2021. Royalty production totalled 1,047 troy ounces of gold that were principally sourced from the West Leeville, Carlin East, and Four Corners operations (at approximately 32% each) with other operations (e.g., Turf, etc.) accounting for the balance (4%) of royalty ounces. NGM's production from the Leeville Royalty property shifted emphasis during 2021 from West Leeville and Turf to Four Corners and Carlin East. Royalty production from two new operations (i.e., Rita K and Monarch) was reported in Q4 2021.
In addition to royalty payments for 2021, NGM also paid EMX for royalty balances due from 2019 and 2020 for refractory ores processed at the Goldstrike roaster facility. The Goldstrike roaster processing commenced in July 2019 after the consummation of the NGM joint venture. In aggregate, these payments totalled US$874,000 from 546 royalty gold ounces. NGM is now providing royalty payments to EMX for ores processed at the Goldstrike roaster on a monthly basis.
Gediktepe, Turkey - The Gediktepe VMS deposit is located in western Turkey. Descriptions of the deposit and historical resource and reserve estimates are disclosed in an NI 43-101 Prefeasibility study entitled "Gediktepe 2019 Prefeasibility Study" with an effective date of March 26, 2019, and filed on SEDAR by Alacer Gold Corp (formerly a reporting issuer in Canada). The Gediktepe Royalties consist of: (i) a perpetual 10% NSR royalty over metals produced from the oxide zone (predominantly gold and silver) after cumulative production of 10,000 gold-equivalent oxide ounces; and (ii) a perpetual 2% NSR royalty over metals produced from the sulfide zone (predominantly copper, zinc, lead, silver and gold), payable after cumulative production of 25,000 gold-equivalent sulfide ounces (gold-equivalent as referenced from an underlying 2019 Share Purchase Agreement).
The Gediktepe Royalties were acquired as part of the SSR royalty portfolio transaction announced by news release dated July 29, 2021) and are being advanced by operator Lidya Madencilik, a private Turkish company. Since acquiring the Royalties, EMX has maintained discussions with Lidya, which has advised that the oxide gold deposit is now fully commissioned with initial phases of mining activity commencing in Q4 2021. EMX anticipates that commercial production of the oxide gold deposit, as defined in the Gediktepe royalty agreement, will be achieved in Q2 or Q3, 2022.
Further details of the Gediktepe Mine description and EMX's royalty are provided in the Company's Technical Report titled "Gediktepe Project - Balıkesir Province, Turkey NI 43-101 Royalty Technical Report" filed on SEDAR with an effective date of February 1, 2022, and report date of March 21, 2022 (also see discussion under following section titled "Technical Information").
Balya, Turkey - The Balya royalty property is located in the historical Balya lead-zinc-silver mining district in northwestern Turkey. EMX holds an uncapped 4% NSR royalty on the "Balya North Deposit", which is operated by Esan Eczacibaşi Endüstriyel Hammaddeler San. ve Tic. A.Ş., a private Turkish company. Esan operates a lead-zinc mine and flotation mill on the property immediately adjacent to EMX's Balya North royalty property.
In 2021 Esan proceeded with underground development of the Balya North Deposit and of on-site infrastructure, with plans to commence mining activities by the end of 2021 as announced by EMX in its news release dated December 20, 2021. Initial phases of mining activity are now underway, with production slated to ramp up in 2022. Material from the Balya North Deposit is currently being stockpiled on site as preparations for processing the mineralized material at the nearby Esan mill are underway. EMX anticipates initial payments from Balya North production in Q3, 2022.
Advanced Royalty Projects
Asset | Location | Operator | Commodity | Stage | Royalty Interest |
Gold Bar South | Nevada | McEwen Mining Inc. | Gold | Feasibility | 1% NSR |
Diablillos | Argentina | AbraSilver Resource Corp | Silver-Gold | PEA | 1% NSR |
Berenguela | Peru | Aftermath Silver Ltd | Copper-Silver-Manganese-Zinc | Resource - Advancing PFS | 1% -1.25% NSR |
Challacolla | Chile | Aftermath Silver Ltd | Silver-Gold | Resource Development | 2% NSR |
Yenipazar | Turkey | Virtus Madencilik | Gold | Feasibility | 6% -10% NPI |
Akarca | Turkey | Çiftay İnşaat Taahhüt ve Ticaret A.Ş. | Silver-Gold | Resource Development | 1%-3% NSR |
Sisorta | Turkey | Bahar Madencilik Sinayi ve Ticaret Ltd Sti | Gold | Feasibility | 3.5%-5% NSR |
Viscaria | Sweden | Copperstone Resources AB | Copper-Iron | Resource Development | 0.5% to 1% NSR |
Kaukua | Finland | Palladium One Mining Inc | PGE-Nickel-Copper | Resource Development | 2% NSR |
Gold Bar South, Nevada - EMX's Gold Bar South 1% NSR royalty property, operated by McEwen Mining Inc. (TSX & NYSE: MUX), covers a sediment-hosted, oxide gold deposit situated approximately 5.6 kilometers southeast of McEwen's Gold Bar open pit mining operation in north-central Nevada.
McEwen provided an update for the Gold Bar operation in a feasibility study that included reserve contributions from Gold Bar South (see McEwen news release dated February 22, 2021). Subsequently, McEwen provided a "2021 Year End and Q4 Results" update which stated that "The permitting process to access ore at the Gold Bar South satellite deposit is ongoing and EMX anticipates receiving the permit in Q1 of 2022. Commencement of gold production from Gold Bar South is planned for the second half of 2022."
Diablillos, Argentina - EMX's Diablillos 1% NSR royalty was acquired in 2021 as part of the SSR royalty portfolio transaction. Diablillos is a high sulfidation silver-gold project, located in the Puna region of Salta Province, Argentina that is owned and operated by AbraSilver Resource Corp. (TSX-V: ABRA). There are seven known mineralized zones, with the Oculto zone advanced to the preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") stage of assessment.
AbraSilver reported a PEA study based on current Oculto resources (with an after-tax NPV(5) of US $364 million, based upon a 7,000 tonne per day production rate, yielding 8 million oz of silver and 44.3 thousand oz of gold in the first five years, and averaging 4.2 million oz silver and 52 thousand oz gold per year over a mine life of up to 16 years (see AbraSilver News Release dated November 29, 2021 and SEDAR filed technical report dated January 13, 2022)
Berenguela, Peru - The Berenguela project, located in the Puno region of southeastern Peru, is a resource stage polymetallic carbonate replacement-style deposit being advanced by Aftermath Silver Ltd. (TSX-V: AAG; OTCQB: AAGFF). Aftermath is earning 100% project interest per a definitive acquisition agreement originally executed with SSR. EMX's royalty interest in, and future earn-in payments from, Berenguela were acquired in 2021 as part of the SSR royalty portfolio transaction. The project hosts an historical JORC silver-copper-manganese-zinc mineral resource.
In Q4, EMX received a US$2.25 million scheduled payment from Aftermath which marked the first anniversary of the definitive acquisition agreement's initial closing date (i.e., November 23, 2020). Additional payments to EMX and obligations for Aftermath's earn-in include: US$2.5 million to be paid on the second anniversary in 2022, US$3 million to be paid on the fourth anniversary in 2024, completion of a preliminary feasibility study ("PFS") and filing of an NI 43-101 technical report on, or before, November 23, 2024, and US $3.25 million cash to be paid on the sixth anniversary in 2026. Upon earn-in and the declaration of commercial production at Berenguela, a sliding-scale royalty will be payable to EMX based upon a 1% NSR royalty on all mineral production when the silver price is up to and including US$ 25 per ounce, or a 1.25% NSR royalty on all mineral production when the silver price is over US$ 25 per ounce and when the copper price is over US$ 2 per pound.
Challacolla, Chile - Challacolla is a resource stage low-sulphidation epithermal deposit located in Chile's northernmost Region I. The project operator, Aftermath, is earning 100% project interest under a binding agreement with Mandalay Resources Corporation (TSX: MND). EMX's interest in the Challacolla project was acquired in 2021 as part of the SSR Royalty Portfolio transaction. After earn-in, EMX will retain a 2% NSR royalty, payable after 36 million ounces of silver have been produced, with a cap of US$5 million. The project hosts historical open pit and underground constrained silver-gold resources.
Yenipazar, Turkey - The Yenipazar polymetallic VMS deposit in central Turkey is currently owned and being advanced by Virtus Madencilik, a private Turkish company that is partly owned by Trafigura Ventures B.V. EMX holds a net profits interest ("NPI") royalty that is set at 6% until US$165 million in revenues are received, after which the NPI converts to a 10% interest. The Yenipazar Royalty was acquired by EMX in 2021 as part of the SSR royalty portfolio transaction.
Previous owner Aldridge Minerals Inc. disclosed an historical feasibility study on the project in 2013, which was updated in 2014 and filed on SEDAR. This remains the most recent public disclosure of technical information and historical mining reserves and resources on the project. Virtus recently updated the feasibility study (this in-house report remains unpublished as of yet) and is currently seeking project financing for development of the project. Since acquiring the royalty, EMX has maintained contact with Virtus and has received updates on the status of the project.
Akarca, Turkey - The Akarca epithermal gold-silver deposit in western Turkey was discovered by EMX in 2006 during a regional exploration program. The project was later sold to current owner Çiftay İnşaat Taahhüt ve Ticaret A.Ş., a private Turkish company. Çiftay is responsible for making a series of pre-production gold bullion payments to EMX, and EMX retains a 1% NSR royalty on the initial 100,000 ounces of gold production from the project, a 2% NSR royalty on production on the next 400,000 ounces of gold produced, and a 3% NSR royalty on any production of gold after 500,000 ounces of gold are produced. The NSR royalties are uncapped and cannot be bought down.
To date, over 350 exploration drill holes and 17 kilometers of trenching have been completed by Çiftay along with collection of over 6,500 rock and 3,500 soil samples and preparation of in-house (non-public) resource models for the gold-silver mineralization. Çiftay is current determining strategies for continued exploration and development of the project.
In 2020 Çiftay made the decision to halt further field work while awaiting permits and a court decision regarding land use designations in the area. EMX has maintained active discussions with Çiftay since that time, and Çiftay has informed EMX that it expects the permitting and land use designation issues to be resolved in 2022, which will allow Çiftay to resume its exploration programs at Akarca.
Sisorta, Turkey - The Sisorta project consists of an oxide gold deposit with underlying copper and gold porphyry potential. EMX sold the project in 2016 to Bahar Madencilik Sinayi ve Ticaret Ltd Sti, a privately owned Turkish company, retaining a royalty interest and advance royalty payment streams. The EMX royalties consist of a 3.5% NSR on any materials mined and processed on site at Sisorta, and a 5% NSR royalty on any materials shipped offsite for processing. Bahar, which operates the nearby Altintepe gold mine, is reviewing development options for the Sisorta project.
Viscaria, Sweden - EMX holds an effective 0.5% to 1.0% NSR royalty interest on the Viscaria copper project located in the Kiruna mining district of Sweden which is operated by Stockholm listed Copperstone Resources AB. In 2021 Copperstone continued to drill and explore the Viscaria deposit while also advancing engineering and environmental studies. Copperstone announced on September 20, 2021 that the project had entered the feasibility study phase and expects to significantly expand the mineral resources and planned production rates. Copperstone also reported in its 2021 Annual Report that it plans to file its environmental permit application for the mining operation in Q1, 2022.
The Viscaria deposit contains elements of both VMS and iron oxide-copper-gold styles of mineralization and was mined from 1983-1996 by a partnership between LKAB and Outokumpu OYJ. Significant JORC and PERC mineral resources remain in the mining area.
Kaukua, Finland - EMX holds a 2% NSR royalty on various exploration licenses covering the Kaukua PGE-Ni-Cu deposit in northern Finland (the "Kaukua Royalty"). The Kaukua deposit is being advanced by Palladium One Mining Inc. (TSX-V: PDM) ("Palladium One"), as part of its flagship Läntinen Koillismaa ("LK") project. Palladium One can purchase 1% of EMX's NSR royalty prior to the delivery of a "bankable feasibility study" for €1 million. The remaining 1% of EMX's NSR royalty is uncapped and cannot be purchased.
PDM's LK project is a PGE rich magmatic Ni-Cu sulfide system. In 2021 Palladium One continued to aggressively drill and explore the LK project, announcing an expansion of its planned drill programs in March 2021 (see Palladium One news release dated March 3, 2021). Palladium One has continuously provided updates with encouraging drill results throughout 2021. Drill defined zones of PGE-Ni-Cu mineralization are now shown to extend for 4.5 kilometers along strike at LK, and geophysical surveys indicate additional potential for expansion (see Palladium One news release dated February 7, 2022).
Exploration Royalty & Royalty Generation Projects
The Company has 157 exploration stage royalties and 102 royalty generation properties being advanced (note, these totals do not include producing royalty or advanced royalty projects). A complete listing of the exploration stage royalties is included in Appendix A to this AIF. The following provides an overview of exploration royalties and royalty generation properties by country and commodity.
| Exploration Royalty | Royalty Generation Project |
Country | Precious Metals | Base Metals | Precious Metals | Base Metals |
| | | | |
USA | 26 | 11 | 23 | 22 |
Canada | 46 | 1 | 17 | 11 |
| | | | |
Mexico | 3 | - | - | - |
Haiti | 5 | 2 | - | - |
Chile | 8 | 11 | - | - |
Argentina | 1 | - | - | - |
| | | | |
Sweden | 9 | 11 | 2 | 10 |
Finland | 1 | 1 | 2 | - |
Norway | 2 | 14 | 5 | 5 |
Serbia | 1 | 1 | - | - |
| | | | |
Turkey | - | 1 | - | 2 |
| | | | |
Australia | 2 | - | 2 | 1 |
Totals | 104 | 53 | 51 | 51 |
Investments
The Company holds various investments in public and private entities, and strategic long-term positions. The Company will sell certain of its investments when appropriate. Much of the investment portfolio was derived from royalty deals completed as part of EMX's organic royalty generation business. Some updates related to strategic investments are as follows:
Rawhide
The Company has a 38.07% equity interest in Rawhide Acquisition Holding LLC, a privately-held Delaware company that owns the Rawhide gold-silver mining operation in Nevada's Walker Lane Belt. The Rawhide mine is an open pit heap leaching operation that produces and sells gold and silver. The Company's investment at Rawhide has not gone as planned. Mining operations were suspended at year-end, and Rawhide is evaluating strategic alternatives including the sale of the company. EMX has taken a full write-down of its investment in 2021 totalling C$10,014,000.
Qualified Persons
Michael P. Sheehan, CPG, a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and employee of the Company, has reviewed, verified, and approved the above technical disclosure on North America and Latin America.
Eric P. Jensen, CPG, a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and employee of the Company, has reviewed, verified, and approved the above technical disclosure on Europe, Turkey, Australia, and Strategic Investments.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Caserones Royalty
The Company has an NSR royalty on the Caserones copper-molybdenum mining operation in northern Chile. EMX considers that the Caserones Mine royalty is material to the Company. EMX filed a Technical Report on SEDAR titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report - Caserones Copper-Molybdenum Mine Royalty Region III, Chile" with an effective date of February 28, 2022 and report date of March 1, 2022 by independent Qualified Person Gregory W. Walker, SME Registered Member. The following discussion is taken from the Caserones Technical Report Summary.
Introduction
EMX Royalty Corporation ("EMX") (TSX Venture: EMX; NYSE American: EMX) is required by Canadian Securities Administrators ("CSA") National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") to prepare and file with relevant Canadian securities commissions a Technical Report on the Caserones copper-molybdenum open pit operation (the "Mine" or "Caserones" or "Caserones Mine") with respect to EMX's royalty on production from the Mine. This Technical Report has been prepared by Independent Qualified Person ("QP"), Gregory W. Walker, SME Registered Member, for EMX, which holds a royalty interest (not direct ownership) in the Caserones Mine.
Prior to becoming a mine, Caserones was previously known as Regalito ("Regalito"), and historical references may refer to the Regalito project or deposit rather than the Caserones project or deposit. In this Technical Report, if a historical source is quoted that refers to Regalito, then the Regalito name is preserved in the quote. The name "Caserones" and the name" Regalito" can be considered interchangeable.
Property Description, Location, Accessibility, and Infrastructure
The Caserones Mine is located in the Atacama Region (Region III) of the northern Chilean Andean Cordillera, at an approximate elevation of 4,300 meters above sea level ("masl") and at 28°10' latitude south and 69°32' longitude west. Copiapo is a regional center with a population of 130,000 and its commercial airport is serviced by several daily flights from Santiago, a flight time of 1.5 hours. The Mine is 162 kilometers ("km") by road, east from Copiapo, and the driving time is approximately four hours. The climate and physiography of the high-cordillera of the Chilean Andes supports year-round mining operations; however, the mine operator has reported in its Annual Reports periodic disruptions to its year-round mining activities due to severe snowstorms.
The Mine is owned and operated by SCM Minera Lumina Copper Chile SpA ("MLCC"), which is 100% indirectly owned through subsidiaries by JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation ("JX Nippon"), which in turn is the metals unit subsidiary of the Japanese company Eneos Holdings Inc. (5020.T-JP: Tokyo Stock Exchange).
EMX's royalty on the Mine resulted from the 2021 purchase of a portion of a royalty interest derived from the original 2009 exploration project sale-purchase agreement between MLCC and the private, Chilean companies jointly owning the underlying mineral concessions, Compañia Minera Caserones ("CMC") and SLM California Una de la Sierra Peña Negra ("California", and together with CMC, the "Vendors") that transferred the mineral concessions to MLCC in exchange for certain cash payments and a Net Smelter Return ("NSR") royalty (the "Caserones Royalty"). The Caserones Royalty is a sliding scale NSR royalty ranging from 1% to 2.88%, with the higher figure being payable if the copper price is greater than US$1.25/lb. The Caserones Royalty was split between the Vendors as to 32.5% to CMC and 67.5% to California.
EMX acquired a portion of the Caserones Royalty equivalent to a 0.418% NSR royalty on the Caserones Mine (the "EMX Royalty") for US$34.1 million in cash (the "Transaction"). To purchase the EMX Royalty, EMX formed a 50%-50% partnership with Altus Strategies Plc ("Altus" - AIM: ALS; TSX-V: ALTS; OTCQX: ALTUF) to acquire an effective 0.836% NSR royalty for US$68.2 million to be split 50%-50% between EMX and Altus. EMX's and Altus' indirect interest in the Caserones Royalty is by virtue of their purchase, via a joint Chilean subsidiary company (50% EMX / 50% Altus), Minera Tercero SpA ("Tercero"), of 43% of California's shares, and consequently 43% of California's portion of the original Vendors' royalty. At the higher royalty rate currently in force, this equates to 67.5% x 43% x 2.88% (i.e., California's interest x percent of California's interest purchased by EMX / Altus x current effective royalty rate) resulting in the 0.836% NSR royalty purchased by EMX and Altus via Tercero. EMX and Altus, thus, each control an effective 0.418% royalty interest (at the prevailing higher royalty rate) via Tercero, and each were responsible for US$34.1 million of the US$68.2 million purchase price of the 0.836% royalty interest. Closing of the Transaction with shareholders of California was completed on September 2, 2021.
As part of the royalty acquisition by EMX and Altus (through Tercero), it was agreed with other shareholders that California should be converted from its existing Chilean company structure as a SLM (Sociedad Legal Minera) into a SpA (Sociedad por Acciones), to be named Minera California SpA. Minera California SpA can be considered the direct continuation of California and can thus be considered one of the Vendors for the purposes of this Technical Report.
The Caserones Royalty includes exploration and mining concessions covering a total area of approximately 17,000 hectares, together with a two km Area of Interest ("AOI") around the outer boundary of the concessions. The Mine is located within the Caserones Royalty concessions. It should be noted that MLCC is currently owner of a significantly larger package of exploration and mining concessions than covered by the Caserones Royalty concessions. MLCC (as evidenced by virtue of its ongoing operations) has sufficient surface rights and operating permits for tailings storage, waste disposal, heap leach pads, and open pit mining areas. As well, MLCC has available sources of power, water, and mining personnel to support its mining operations.
Mining companies are not typically required to, and as a matter of practice do not normally, disclose detailed operational information to owners of a royalty interest unless legally or contractually mandated to do so. EMX has no right to direct contact with the operating company, MLCC, and must make all representations to MLCC through the royalty holding company, California. MLCC is not legally or contractually mandated to allow a site visit or to supply information to EMX. The Caserones Royalty holders (the Vendors, California and CMC) receive, per the underlying royalty agreement, information related to the quarterly and annual royalty payment calculations, which information has been made available to EMX for the period 2019 to date. During due diligence review before purchase of the EMX Royalty, EMX requested current technical data and other information to use in support of its evaluation. However, this data and information was not available from the Caserones Royalty holders (as they do not have data rights under the royalty agreement) and therefore has not been provided to EMX. As a result, access to information and details regarding technical and other aspects of the Mine, including (but not limited to) exploration, drilling, data verification, mineral processing and metallurgical testing, mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates, mining methods, recovery methods, project infrastructure, market studies and contracts, capital and operating costs, economic analysis, adjacent properties, and other relevant data (i.e., NI 43-101F1 Items 9 through 24) is limited to what is available in the public domain.
Pursuant to Sections 9.2 (2) and (3) of NI 43-101, a QP preparing a technical report on Form 43-101F1 for an issuer that only has a royalty interest in a mineral project is not required to perform a site visit of the project, nor is the QP required to complete those items under Form 43-101F1 that require data verification or inspection of documents. EMX is relying on the exemption available under Sections 9.2 (2) and (3) of NI 43-101 for the completion of this Technical Report.
All dollar amounts stated in this Technical Report are United States Dollars.
Geology, Mineralization & Deposit Type
Caserones is a copper-molybdenum porphyry deposit geographically located in the high-cordillera of the Chilean Andes at the southern end of the Maricunga mineral belt. Caserones is an Early-Miocene porphyry system associated with a cluster of dacite porphyries and breccias intruding Palaeozoic granitic, volcanic, and metamorphic rocks, and has a well-developed supergene enrichment profile of oxide copper and secondary chalcocite situated above hypogene chalcopyrite mineralization.
The following description of the Caserones Mine mineralization is taken from an AMEC 2005 Technical Report for Lumina Copper Corporation ("Lumina") (see section 1.4 and section 6.2 of the Technical Report). The author notes that although the description is dated, it is still believed to be relevant for providing a general overview for the project's geology and mineralization.
The Regalito Deposit strikes SE-NW with a length of approximately 2,000 m and a width of approximately 1,500 m. The oxide and secondary copper zones form a surface-parallel blanket over 1,200 m in diameter, with a central "core" of at least 1,000 m in diameter where thicknesses average 300 m and exceed 400 m in the central part. Secondary copper grades within this central area are also slightly elevated above those in the surrounding parts of the deposit. Outboard of this "core" the zone thins, and grades are generally lower, although the enrichment blanket is still open to the southwest. The secondary copper zone has been modeled to approximately 4,000 m in elevation and deeper locally. It is generally coincident with the porphyry intrusive.
The oxide zone forms a cap that sits on top of the secondary copper zone in the upper part of the northeast trending ridge that constitutes the northwest margin of the deposit, mostly above 4,400 m, and thinning to a skin of a few metres moving down the ridge slopes. Grades within the oxide zone are higher than the average grade of the secondary copper zone, and it is open to the northeast.
Flanking the oxide zone and overlying the supergene zone, a zone of "leached" material varies in thickness from 0 to 200 m, averaging ~40 m over most of the deposit. This zone is not leached sensu stricto, as it contains appreciable amounts of pyrite and pods of chalcocite and copper oxide mineralization, which is poorly defined at the current drill spacing, and was not included in the [AMEC] resource estimate.
Primary copper mineralization was not targeted by Lumina's drill program and this zone remains open in all directions. Locally, high grade copper-moly mineralization associated with hydrothermal breccia bodies was cut by drill holes which may be associated with structures. Samples from the primary copper and molybdenum mineralization range from being relatively high grade to being low grade and it remains to be determined whether the primary zone is of economic interest.
Project History
The modern-day history for the Caserones Mine began in the mid-1980's and with commercial mine production starting in 2013 (Cathode production) and 2014 (concentrate production). Mining continues to date with 17 years of forecast mine production as of December 31, 2020. The following highlights the ownership and development history of the property.
- 1983 - 1986 Exploration:
Reconnaissance mapping and geochemical sampling conducted by Chilean junior exploration companies SCM California, LCM Caserones, and BTX Explorations Ltda. identified several porphyry Cu-Mo and porphyry-Au prospects associated with regional northeast trending structures. Two of these occurrences, Central Caserones and West Caserones, later became known as the Regalito prospect.
- 1988 - 2000 Exploration:
o Prospect evaluation work was conducted by numerous companies that included drilling, sampling, metallurgical test work and resource estimation work on the Regalito and other prospects.
◾ 1988 - 1990: Compañia Minera Newmont Chile
◾ 1990 - 1991: Niugini Mining and Inversiones Mineras del Inca S.A.
◾ 1994 - 1998: BHP Chile Inc.
o 2000: South American Gold and Copper Company
- 2003 - 2005 Project Exploration and Development:
o Lumina Copper Corp. ("Lumina") signs option agreement to acquire 100% of the mining concessions for the Regalito property from SCM California (67.5% ownership) and LCM Caserones (32.5% ownership) in 2003.
On October 20, 2003, Minera Lumina Copper Chile S.A., the wholly-owned Chilean registered subsidiary of Lumina, entered into a letter of intent option agreement ("the Agreement") with CMC and California to acquire 100% of the following mining concessions ("mensuras") totalling 4,158 ha: California 1 al 1,000, Ramadilla 1 al 12, Caserones Segunda 1 al 80, Caserones Segunda 81 al 160, Caserones Tercera 1 al 80 and Caserones Tercera 81 al 160. In addition, 20 exploration concessions ("pedimentos"), held under the name of Mario Hernandez, a partner in CMC were included in the Agreement. The agreement was subsequently amended to include a total of 63 pedimentos and was finalized in a "Final Sale Agreement Document" that was signed on November 12, 2004 (pers comm, J.Selters, 2004) ("Promesa"). These are the original agreements and properties that underly the Caserones Royalty.
Separately, and independently, Lumina staked (prior to the date of the Technical Report) and were the sole owners of an additional 95 pedimentos covering 25,700 ha, which were contiguous with the optioned mensuras and pedimentos. Where any independently staked concessions lie within the two km AOI, they will be subject to the Caserones Royalty.
The terms of the agreement to acquire the six mensuras and 63 pedimentos were that Lumina would make payments to California (67.5%) and CMC (32.5%) totalling US$900,000 over an eight-year period and take responsibility for property maintenance payments including the filing costs of the 63 new pedimentos. Lumina also agreed that, if copper prices exceed US$1.00 per pound, for an entire calendar year, Lumina would pay a minimum of US$200,000 in respect of the payments described for that year. After exercising the option and before achieving commercial production, an advanced royalty payment of US$200,000 was due for any year in which the copper price exceeded US$ 1.00 per pound for the entire year. Such advanced royalties would be recovered from a portion of NSR payments which become payable after commercial production was achieved.
o Lumina then initiated major deposit scale exploration campaigns including drilling, geological mapping, metallurgical test work, petrographic analyses, and resource estimation.
o In January 2005, AMEC completed an NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Regalito Cu Porphyry. The AMEC report included an historical Mineral Resource estimate that was based on oxide copper and supergene copper mineralization delineated by a total of 183 drill holes totalling 39,617 m, including reverse circulation ("RC"), diamond drill ("DD"), and mixed RC/DD holes. See Section 6.2 of this Technical Report for further discussion.
o Lumina Copper Corp. underwent a reorganization and formed the Regalito Copper Corp. in May of 2005 with the Regalito project as its principal assert. Work continued with technical programs, including metallurgical testing.
- 2006 - 2008 Project Development:
o On July 17, 2006, Pan Pacific Copper Co. ("Pan Pacific" or "PPC") announced the purchase of 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Regalito Copper Corp. The acquisition of Regalito Copper Corp. by Pan Pacific included the principal asset, which was the option agreement with CMC and California for the acquisition of the concessions package underlying what was to become the Caserones Mine. At the close of trading on July 17, 2006, Regalito Copper Corp. was delisted from the Toronto Stock Exchange and suspended from trading on the American Stock Exchange
o On September 17, 2008 Pan Pacific announced that it "has been conducting a pre-feasibility study, including economic evaluation based on exploratory drillings and conceptual engineering based on several scenarios, since the acquisition of the mining concession of the Caserones copper deposit". PPC then decided to move the project to the feasibility study stage on the basis of the results.
- 2009 - 2014 Project Development:
o March 26, 2009, Pan Pacific, through its Chilean operating subsidiary, MLCC, exercised the underlying option agreement ("Promesa" - dating from November 2004) with CMC and California, to acquire the key concessions controlling the Caserones / Regalito deposit. This exercising of the option agreement, although documented in public registries and legal archives, was never made public by any of the interested parties.
o February 26, 2010, Pan Pacific announced that "The feasibility study results recently revealed that the Project is economically viable and, at the same time, an environmental approval for developing the Project was granted by the Environmental Committee of the Atacama Region of Chile. On the ground of such circumstances, PPC decided to continue and advance the Project into the full-fledged development stage. Additionally, Mitsui & Co., Ltd. is to participate in the Project to own a 25% interest."
o July 26, 2011, Pan Pacific announced loan agreements to finance the development of the Caserones Mine and stated: "an integrated copper enterprise jointly established by JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation and Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd., today (July 26) signed loan agreements with related financial institutions for a total of US$1.4 billion to finance the Caserones Copper and Molybdenum Deposit Development Project ("the Project"). Pan Pacific Copper Co., Ltd has a 75% interest in the Project, with Mitsui & Co., Ltd. holding a 25% interest. The initial investment for development (production facilities and related costs) is estimated at about US$2 billion."
o August 1, 2014, Pan Pacific announced the official opening of the Caserones Mine: "Pan Pacific Copper Co., Ltd., an integrated copper enterprise jointly established by JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation and Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co. Ltd., and Mitsui & Co. Ltd., announced that SCM Minera Lumina Copper Chile ("MLCC"), operator of the Caserones Copper Mine, held an opening ceremony for the mine on July 30th local time in Santiago, one day after the first shipment of copper concentrate left for Japan." The concentrate was shipped from the Chilean port of Coquimbo.
◾ Pan Pacific also noted that first cathode production from the SX EW plant was achieved in March 2013, with first concentrate production in May 2014.
◾ Initial capital expenditure to the commencement of copper concentrate production was noted to be US$4.2 billion.
◾ At this point in time, equity shares in MLCC were stated as: Pan Pacific Copper (JX Nippon Mining & Metals 66% / Mitsui Mining & Smelting 34%) 77.37% and Mitsui & Co. 22.63%
- 2014 - 2020 MLCC Operating Company (Including Historical Reserves and Production):
o The Mine operator, MLCC, produces an Annual Report (Memoria Annual) in Spanish and English for filing with La Comisión para el Mercado Financiero ("CMF" - translated as The Commission for the Financial Market), which is a Chilean public service that has among its main objectives to ensure the correct functioning, development, and stability of the financial markets in Chile.
o The MLCC operating company Annual Reports, dating from 2010, provide some information on the progress of feasibility, development, and construction of the Caserones Mine, including through to initial production from the solvent extraction, and electrowinning ("SX-EW") and concentrator plants. From 2014 through 2020, the annual reports are concerned with activities of a fully fledged operating company and all related aspects. All MLCC Annual Reports contain consolidated financial statements for the operating company.
o From the annual reports for MLCC, three important aspects are reported with updates from year to year: These are historical reserves (see Table 1-1); metals production (see Table 1-2); and ownership (see Table 1-3).
Historical Mineral Reserve Estimates
The MLCC Annual Reports include an annual "reserve statement" with no accompanying qualifying attributes or supporting assumptions given. MLCC's most recent reserve statement is from its 2020 Annual Report and does not adhere to CIM Guidelines for reserve reporting. This reserve statement predates EMX's acquisition of its interest in Caserones, and is therefore considered to be an historical reserve estimate.
As background, in Note 4a to the Financial Statements in its 2020 Annual Report dated May 2021, MLCC states:
- "Ore reserves are estimates of the amount of ore that can be economically and legally extracted from the Company's [MLCC's] mining properties. Such reserve and mineral resource estimates and changes to these may impact the Company's [MLCC's] reported financial position and results, in the following ways:
The carrying value of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets may be affected due to changes in estimated future cash flows;
Depreciation and amortization charges in the statement of profit or loss may change where such charges are determined using the unit of production ("UOP") method, or where the useful life of the related assets change;
Capitalized stripping costs recognized in the statement of financial position as either part of property, plant and equipment or inventory or charged to profit or loss may change due to changes in stripping ratios;
Provisions for rehabilitation and environmental provisions may change when reserve estimate changes affect expectations about when such activities will occur and the associated cost of these activities.
- The recognition and carrying value of deferred income tax assets may change due to changes in the judgments regarding the existence of such assets and in estimates of the likely recovery of such assets.
The Company [MLCC] estimates its ore reserves and mineral resources based on information compiled by appropriately qualified persons relating to the geological data on the size, depth, and shape of the ore body, and require complex geological judgments to interpret the data. The estimation of recoverable reserves is based upon factors such as estimates of foreign exchange rates, commodity prices, future capital requirements, and production costs along with geological assumptions and judgments made in estimating the size and grade of the ore body.
MLCC's 2020 Annual Report has an historical reserve estimate, subject to the limitations and comments indicated in the previous paragraphs of this section, as given in Table 1-1 and is shown with the annual yearly historical reserves for the mine from 2010-2019. The most recent estimate from 2020 is hereby adopted as the 'historical reserve' estimate in this Technical Report as bold highlighted in the table below.
Table 1-1: Historical Caserones Reserve Statements and LOM - by Year
MLCC Annual Report Year | Tonnes (Mt) | Minerals to Concentrator (Sulphides) | Mixed Dump Leach (Leachables) | Estimated Life of Mine (LOM) Years |
CuT (%) | CuS (%) | Mo (ppm) | Tonnes (Mt) | CuT (%) | CuS (%) |
2010 | 1,047 | 0.34 | | 126 | 295 | 0.30 | | 28 |
2011 | 1,047 | 0.34 | | 126 | 336 | 0.30 | | 28 |
2012 | 1,047 | 0.34 | | 126 | 336 | 0.30 | | 28 |
2013 | 1,047 | 0.33 | | 126 | 336 | 0.30 | | 28 |
2014 | 1,085 | 0.34 | | 123 | 292 | 0.28 | | 29 |
2015 | 1,044 | 0.33 | 0.17 | 124 | 319 | 0.27 | 0.20 | 28 |
2016 | 1,022 | 0.32 | 0.17 | 124 | 306 | 0.27 | 0.19 | 27 |
2017 | 849 | 0.35 | 0.20 | 132 | 251 | 0.28 | 0.19 | 22 |
2018 | 821 | 0.34 | 0.19 | 131 | 237 | 0.28 | 0.19 | 21 |
2019 | 710 | 0.37 | 0.18 | 147 | 406 | 0.23 | 0.16 | 19 |
2020 | 604 | 0.37 | 0.20 | 139 | 288 | 0.24 | 0.18 | 17 |
Source: MLCC Annual Reports - 2010 to 2020
The historical reserve statements do not use categories as defined in CIM Definition Standards, but the author considers the reported reserves to be equivalent to Proven and Probable. The author is unaware of the key assumptions, parameters, and methods used to prepare the historical estimates presented and therefor these estimates should not be relied upon. A qualified person has not performed sufficient work to classify the historical reserve estimate for Caserones as current, and the historical estimate is not considered to be a current mineral reserve.
As Caserones is an active mining operation with over seven years of production history, it is the opinion of the author that the historical reserves are relevant in that they provide a general basis for establishing the mineralized material supporting MLCC's life-of-mine forecast given nameplate flotation and SX-EW processing capacities (see section 1.6 of Technical Report) and historical production statements. However, the historical reserves should not be relied upon until verified by a qualified person. Significant compilation, review, and independent verification by qualified persons of geological, engineering, metallurgical, economic, and other data that support ongoing mining operations will be required before the historical estimate can be classified as current mineral reserves.
Operations, Environmental Liabilities, & Ownership
Information on operations, environmental liabilities, and ownership is largely limited to public information disclosed or published by the historical option-holder over the project; the current operating company (MLCC) website, with limited relevant information; scarce MLCC parent company public news releases; and the operating company (MLCC) annual reports. EMX also has access to reports from the mine operators to the Vendors showing how royalty calculations are arrived at by virtue of their ownership interest in California. This information is mostly financial in nature and is not in the public domain.
Operations - Caserones is an open pit mine producing copper and molybdenum concentrates from a conventional crusher and mill and flotation plant, together with copper cathodes from a dump leach, SX-EW plant. Construction of the production facilities began in March 2010 and production of refined copper from a dump leach by SX-EW began in 2013, followed by copper and molybdenum concentrates production in 2014. The concentrator plant has a nameplate capacity to process 105,000 tonnes/day ("t/d") to produce an annual average of up to 150,000 tonnes/year ("t/y") of fine copper in concentrates and up to 3,000 t/y of fine molybdenum in concentrates, together with a dump leach project combined with a SX-EW plant to produce up to 30,000 t/y of copper in cathodes. MLCC has published basic production information in its Annual Reports (2010 - 2020), which is summarized in Table 1-2.
Table 1-2: Historical Caserones Metals Production Statistics - by Year
MLCC Annual Report Year | Copper Concentrate | Copper Cathode |
Fine Cu (Tonnes) | Fine Mo (Tonnes) | Fine Cu (Tonnes) |
2010 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
2011 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
2012 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
2013 | N/A | N/A | 16,193 |
2014 | 19,501 | N/A | 26,803 |
2015 | 46,788 | 218 | 28,579 |
2016 | 83,014 | 1,049 | 34,368 |
2017 | 88,643 | 898 | 32,294 |
2018 | 108,073 | 1,697 | 28,477 |
2019 | 121,499 | 2,778 | 24,566 |
2020 | 104,917 | 2,453 | 22,056 |
Source: MLCC Annual Reports - 2010 to 2020
According to MLCC's 2020 Annual Report, the Mine produced 104,917 tonnes of fine copper in concentrate; 2,453 tonnes of fine molybdenum in concentrate; and 22,056 tonnes of fine copper in cathodes during calendar year 2020. According to the 2020 Annual Report, the open pit operated with an average waste / ore strip ratio of 0.47 and had 17 years of remaining "useful" life. There is no available information with respect to current exploration activities, or resource and reserve development at the Caserones Mine and associated mineral concessions.
Going Concern - Also in MLCC's 2020 Annual Report as Note 2 to MLCC's Financial Statements - Going Concern:
"For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company incurred net losses of US$768,064,000 and US$106,781,000 respectively, and shows negative equity (deficit) of US$1,370,932,000 and US$602,854,000 as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 respectively. As of December 31, 2020 the Company presents negative working capital of US$76,998,000. The financial statements were prepared on a going concern basis. Management obtained representation from the Company's parent JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation ("JXNMM"), through its various subsidiaries, including MLCC Finance Netherlands B.V. ("MFN") a major direct shareholder of the Company, confirming that it is JXNMM's intention, subject to the approval of its Board of Directors and any other necessary authorizations by its shareholders, to cause the Company to be provided with necessary financing, until such time as the Company will generate sufficient funds to maintain its operations and fulfill its financial obligations on a timely basis. Such financing may be in the form of shareholder loans or equity contributions, or by other means such as bank loans with or without shareholders' guaranties or any combination of the abovementioned sources of financing."
Environmental Compliance Program - According to MLCC's Annual Report for 2020, MLCC continued a process to establish a compliance program in 2020 associated with the latest process N° 1 / ROL D-018-2019, initiated by the Chilean state Superintendence of the Environment (Superintendencia del Medio Ambiente or "SMA"), on February 19, 2019, in which 18 environmental infractions at Caserones were documented and sanctioned, some of which dated back to previous sanctioning processes. MLCC currently has an agreement with the SMA in terms of solving 16 of the 18 infractions, including the submission of an updated Environmental Impact Assessment for the Mine, whilst two of the infractions are still subject to legal processes. MLCC is potentially subject to fines, revocation of certain environmental permits, or, in the worst case, (temporary) closure, if it fails to meet its commitments with the SMA.
Ownership - An update to the Caserones Operating Company, MLCC, ownership structure was provided in the MLCC 2020 Annual Report in Note 1 of the Financial Statements:
"The shareholders of the Company as of December 31, 2020 are MLCC Finance Netherlands B.V., a subsidiary of Eneos Holdings Inc. (the ultimate parent of the Company), with 68.68% participation; NCR Canada Enterprises Corp. with 2.83% participation; Nippon Caserones Resources Co., Ltd. with 21.40% participation; and Mitsui Bussan Copper Investment & Co. with 7.09% participation".
A change in ownership from December 31, 2020 to February 2021 is documented as a subsequent event to the 2020 Annual Report and is indicated in Note 29 to the Financial Statements as follows:
"On November 9, 2020, JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation announced that it has reached a basic agreement with Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd. and Mitsui & Co., Ltd., joint investors in the Caserones Copper Mine, on the transfer to the Company of all their rights and interests in the mine (Mitsui Kinzoku: 25.87%, Mitsui & Co.: 22.63%). During February 2021, all the remaining liquidation of shares and debt were finalized. Further, we don't anticipate significant impacts in the operation of Caserones as a consequence of this transaction as JX Metals remains the operator".
Table 1-3: Historical Ownership Structure of Caserones Operating Company MLCC - by Year
MLCC Annual Report Year | Pan Pacific Copper Co. Ltd. (1) % | PPC Canada / NCR Canada Enterprises Corp. % | Mitsui Bussan Copper Investment & Co. Ltd. % | MLCC Finance Netherlands BV (2) % | Nippon Caserones Resources Co., Ltd. (3) % |
2010 | 50.56 | 24.44 | 25.00 | | |
2011 | 50.56 | 24.44 | 25.00 | | |
2012 | 60.28 | 14.72 | 25.00 | | |
2013 | 66.58 | 9.54 | 23.88 | | |
2014 | 68.34 | 9.03 | 22.63 | | |
2015 | 68.34 | 9.03 | 22.63 | | |
2016 | 68.34 | 9.03 | 22.63 | | |
2017 * | 21.40 | 2.83 | 7.09 | 66.68 | |
2018 | 21.40 | 2.83 | 7.09 | 66.68 | |
2019 | 21.40 | 2.83 | 7.09 | 66.68 | |
2020 ** | | 2.83 | 7.09 | 68.68 | 21.40 |
Source: MLCC Annual Reports - 2010 to 2020
Source: JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation News Releases - 2020
(1) Pan Pacific Copper Co. Ltd. owned JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation 67.8% / Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co. Ltd. 32.2%.
(2) Subsidiary of Eneos Holdings Inc. (as is JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation).
(3) Nippon Caserones Resources Co., Ltd. initially owned by JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation 67.8% / Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd. 32.2%, and subsequently in November 2020, Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd. commits to transfer its participating ownership to JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation.
(*) Debt for equity swap dated March 31, 2017 with MLCC Finance Netherlands BV.
(**) February 12, 2020: JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation, Pan Pacific Copper Co., Ltd. and Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd. (Mitsui Kinzoku) announced that the Caserones Copper Mine-related business in the Republic of Chile is to be transferred to a venture company directly funded by JX Metals and Mitsui Kinzoku, namely Nippon Caserones Resources Co., Ltd.
(**) April 1, 2020: Shareholdings transferred from Pan Pacific Copper Co. Ltd. to Nippon Caserones Resources Co., Ltd.
(**) November 9, 2020: JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation announced that it had reached a basic agreement with Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd (Mitsui Kinzoku) and Mitsui & Co., Ltd., joint investors in the Caserones Copper Mine, on the transfer to the JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation of all their rights and interests in the mine (Mitsui Kinzoku: 25.87%, Mitsui & Co.: 22.63%).
EMX does not have the data or supporting information to independently verify the disclosures above, but believes that they were accurate and were not misleading at the time of disclosure.
Conclusions and Recommendations
Although current technical and other information for the Caserones Mine is generally unavailable, the Mine has been operating since 2013 (dump leach) and 2014 (concentrator plant), with public information available in relation to historical reserves and annual production of copper in cathode, copper in concentrate and molybdenum in concentrate since initiation of production. The Caserones Royalty holders (Vendors) have been receiving quarterly royalty payments since inception of the mining operations. EMX has received its first royalty payment distribution (dividend) from California to Tercero relating to Q2 2021 production as disclosed in EMX's September 14, 2021 news release, its second royalty payment distribution relating to Q3 2021 production as of November 30, 2021, and its third royalty payment distribution relating to Q4 2021 production as of February 28, 2022. See Table 1-4 for the calendar year 2021 Royalty payment calculations.
According to MLCC, at year end 2020, the mine had a forecast mine life of 17 years. While environmental infractions have resulted in fines and sanctions from the Chilean authorities, there is a clear program of remediation and improvement approved by the Chilean government to overcome these problems. JX Nippon has publicly indicated the importance of Caserones as a source of clean, high-quality concentrates and cathodes to smelters and the market in general, and its financial commitment to MLCC. MLCC's mineral concessions are in good standing, and no immediate threat to ongoing production and resulting royalty payments has been identified.
Table 1-4: Royalty Calculations in US$ for Calendar 2021
| | 2021 | YTD |
NSR Item | Source | Q1* | Q2** | Q3** | Q4** | Total 2021 |
| | US$ K | US$ K | US$ K | US$ K | US$ K |
| | | | | | |
Copper Cathode Income | MLCC NSR Report | 31,208 | 49,913 | 28,312 | 29,047 | 138,480 |
Copper Concentrate Income | MLCC NSR Report | 186,865 | 268,314 | 213,635 | 264,200 | 933,014 |
Molbdenum Concentrate Income | MLCC NSR Report | 14,702 | 19,864 | 13,561 | 23,905 | 72,032 |
Total Income From Sales - Before Deductions | MLCC NSR Report | 232,775 | 338,091 | 255,508 | 317,152 | 1,143,526 |
| | | | | | |
Total Permitted Deductions | MLCC NSR Report | -17,093 | -18,629 | -15,453 | -23,382 | -74,557 |
NSR Total After Deductions | MLCC NSR Report | 215,682 | 319,462 | 240,055 | 293,770 | 1,068,969 |
| | | | | | |
NSR to Royalty Holders @ 2.88% (Pre-Tax) | MLCC NSR Report | 6,212 | 9,201 | 6,914 | 8,461 | 30,786 |
| | | | | | |
Calculated Royalty to EMX @ 0.418% (Pre-Tax) | EMX Calculation | 902 | 1,335 | 1,003 | 1,228 | 4,468 |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
* Q1 2021 Royality payment not applicable to EMX | | | | | | |
** Q2, Q3, and Q4 2021 Royality payments made to EMX | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Source: EMX 2022
Based upon the historical information available and more recent publicly available information, together with information provided by EMX, the author is aware that the Caserones Mine operator reported material net losses in 2019 and 2020, and that there are environmental liabilities and sanctions applicable to the operation that could be a potential risk to EMX's cash flow from payments of the EMX Royalty. However, it appears that MLCC has put in place adequate financing to continue operations and is actively addressing the environmental issues. The author is unaware of any other significant factors or risks that may affect access, title, or the right or ability for MLCC to continue operating the Caserones Mine to produce copper and molybdenum concentrates and copper cathodes for the duration of the projected life of mine.
The author recommends that EMX continue to monitor and update available information sources in order to maintain and improve its working knowledge of the Caserones Mine and operation. EMX should make representations to MLCC via California, together with the other shareholders, to obtain permission to conduct a site visit, which right should be exercised as soon as conditions permit.
Qualified Person
Gregory W. Walker, Consulting Geologist, SME Registered Member, a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, and author of the Technical Report titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report - Caserones Copper-Molybdenum Mine Royalty, Region III, Chile", dated March 1, 2022 and with an effective date of February 28, 2022, has reviewed, verified and approved the above technical disclosure on the Caserones Royalty.
Timok Royalty
The Company has royalties on properties in eastern Serbia's Timok Magmatic Belt. These royalty interests include an uncapped NSR royalty on the Timok Project's Brestovac license covering the Cukaru Peki Upper Zone copper-gold mining project and the Lower Zone porphyry copper-gold resource project. Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd. ("Zijin") controls 100% of the Timok Project.
EMX considers the Brestovac royalty property containing the Cukaru Peki Upper Zone mining project and Lower Zone resource project material to the Company. EMX filed on SEDAR an amended and restated Technical Report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report - Timok Copper-Gold Project Royalty, Serbia" dated March 25, 2022 and with an effective date of December 31, 2020 by Mineral Resource Management LLC. The following discussion is taken from the amended and restated Timok Project Technical Report.
Introduction
EMX Royalty Corporation ("EMX" or the "Company") (TSX Venture: EMX; NYSE American: EMX) is required by Canadian Securities Administrators ("CSA") National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") to prepare and file with certain Canadian securities commissions a Technical Report on the Timok Project (the "Project" or "Timok Project") with respect to its royalties on future production from the Project. The Project is located in the Bor District of eastern Serbia and is owned and operated by Zijin Mining Group Co., Ltd. ("Zijin"), a publicly traded company listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange.
EMX's royalty on the Project initially resulted from prospect generation and organic royalty growth via the 2006 sale of its properties, including Brestovać West, to Reservoir Capital Corp. ("Reservoir Capital"), for uncapped net smelter return ("NSR") royalties of 2% for gold and silver and 1% for all other metals. Reservoir Capital later transferred those interests to Reservoir Minerals Inc. ("Reservoir Minerals"). Subsequently, EMX acquired 0.5% NSR royalty interests covering the Brestovać and Durlan Potok properties (EMX news releases, February 4, 2014 and October 5, 2020), which along with Brestovać West, are included in the Timok Project controlled by Zijin.
Thus, this amended and restated Technical Report has been prepared by Kevin Francis of Mineral Resource Management LLC ("MRM") for EMX which holds royalty interests (not direct ownership) in the Project. This Technical Report is dated March 25, 2022 and amends and restates the original Report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report - Timok Copper-Gold Project Royalty, Serbia" dated February 26, 2021 and with an effective date of June 19, 2018. This amended and restated Technical Report: a) corrects improper units in Tables 1-3 and 15-1.
Mining companies are not (typically) required to, and as a matter of practice, do not normally disclose detailed information to companies that hold a royalty interest in their operations unless legally or contractually mandated to do so. Zijin has not made any information available to EMX despite several requests. Therefore, access to information and details regarding the Project is limited to what is available in the public domain.
Pursuant to Part 9.2(2) of NI 43-101, the qualified person ("QP") preparing a technical report on Form 43-101F1 for an issuer that only has a royalty interest in a mineral project is not required to perform an onsite visit of the Project, nor is the QP required to complete those items under Form 43-101F1 that require data verification or inspection of documents. EMX is relying on the exemption available under Part 9.2(2) of NI 43-101 for the completion of this Technical Report.
All dollar amounts stated in this document are United States Dollars.
Location and Access
The Timok Project is located in eastern Serbia on a gently rolling plateau between 300 and 400 meters above sea level and has a moderate-continental climate. It occurs 5 kilometers south of the town of Bor, which is a regional administrative and mining center located approximately 250 kilometers by road southeast of Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. The site is favorably located for mining infrastructure (road, rail, power, water) and nearby the recently upgraded copper smelter complex in Bor. The Universal Transverse Mercator System (UTM) coordinates (the World Geodetic System, 1984) of the approximate center of the Čukaru Peki deposit are 4874888 N and 590706 E (UTM zone 34).
Description of State Royalty and EMX's Royalties
The Serbian government collects a royalty of 5% NSR for metallic raw materials (per the "Guide for Investors", Ministry of Natural Resources, Mining and Spatial Planning, 2011). Additional royalties that are due, such as EMX's royalty interests, are individually negotiated for each mineral permit.
EMX's Royalties
EMX's Brestovać Royalty. The Brestovać royalty was originally granted to Euromax by Reservoir Capital via a royalty agreement (the "Royalty Agreement") executed in 2010. EMX acquired Euromax's NSR royalty interests in 2013 (EMX news release, February 4, 2014). The Royalty Agreement contains a provision for the reduction of the 0.5% NSR royalty rate under certain express and specific circumstances. Upon a thorough review of the Royalty Agreement and based on certain publicly available information, EMX does not believe that the circumstances which would have triggered a reduction of the royalty rate have occurred and therefore the NSR royalty rate remains at 0.5%.
Furthermore, there is no mechanism for the royalty to be reduced in the future. EMX's royalty areas are shown in Figure 1-1 below.
Source: EMX 2020
Figure 1-1: EMX Royalty Interests and Permit Location Map
Other EMX Timok Royalty Properties. The Company also has two additional Timok royalty properties, including Brestovać West and Durlan Potok.
• Brestovać West is covered by NSR royalties of 2% for gold and silver and 1% for all other metals. Brestovać West contains the Corridor Zone gold prospect and occurs directly west of Brestovać.
• Durlan Potok is covered by a 0.5% NSR royalty and occurs in the Timok Belt approximately 20 kilometers north of Brestovać and Čukaru Peki.
History
The earliest known historic exploitation (copper mining and smelting) occurred as early as 5500 BC, and continued during the Bronze Age and Roman era. In the late 19th century, prospecting in the Bor District led to the discovery of the copper and gold-rich Coka Dulkan and Tilva Ros deposits in 1902 with mining commencing in 1907 and continuing until 1941. Known historical exploitation in the Timok Project area of Brestovać-Metovnica was trial mining of copper and zinc mineralization in the 1930's.
The Bor mines and smelter were rehabilitated after the Second World War and operated to the 1990s by the Yugoslav State, and then later by the state- owned RTB Bor. During this period a number of significant porphyry and high-sulfidation ("HS") epithermal deposits were discovered in the Bor District and put into production. The Timok Project mineralization had not yet been recognized. During 1990-2002, due to the political uncertainty and conflict in the former Yugoslavia, no significant mineral exploration was undertaken, although the Serbian government did issue exploration permits and concessions in 2002.
By 2004, mineral exploration activities in the Timok area were reinitiated with the arrival of western companies including Phelps Dodge (now Freeport), Eurasian Minerals (now EMX), Euromax and Dundee. Reservoir Minerals acquired Eurasian Minerals' Serbia exploration assets in 2006, which led to EMX's current Brestovac West retained royalty interests.
Significant exploration work on the Project commenced with the formation of the Reservoir/Freeport JV in 2010. JV field work during 2010-2016 included geological mapping, geochemical surveys, and geophysical surveys (e.g., CSAMT, etc.). These surveys covered target areas where Miocene sediments overlie the concealed and prospective Upper Cretaceous volcanic rocks that host mineralization in the Bor District. The CSAMT data contributed significantly to the discovery of the Upper Zone mineralization, which was announced on July 16, 2012 by Reservoir Minerals.
After acquiring a 55% equity interest under the JV agreement, Freeport gave notice to Reservoir Minerals in July 2012 that it had elected to sole fund expenditures through the completion of a feasibility study. JV drilling through 2016 carried out on the Upper Zone (59,333 m) and Lower Zone (42,380 m) deposits resulted in an historical Upper Zone resource estimate in 2014 that was updated in 2016 as a PEA. These historical mineral resources established a basis from which subsequent mineral resource estimates evolved. The historical estimates are superseded by the current Zijin estimates presented in this Technical Report.
In 2016, Reservoir announced a definitive agreement with Nevsun to combine their respective companies (Reservoir news release, April 24, 2016). This triggered the exercise by Reservoir of its right of first offer ("ROFO") in respect of the Timok JV agreement with Freeport. As a result, Reservoir acquired Freeport's interest in the Upper Zone of Čukaru Peki (thereby consolidating 100% control), and increased its interest in the Lower Zone (Reservoir news release, May 2, 2016). Nevsun closed the acquisition of Reservoir as announced in a June 23, 2016 news release.
In 2017, Nevsun reported an updated PEA for the Upper Zone with measured and indicated resources of 28.7 million tonnes averaging 3.7% copper and 2.4 g/t gold, and inferred resources of 13.9 million tonnes averaging 1.6% copper and 0.9 g/t gold at a Resource NSR cutoff of US$35/tonne (based upon $3.49/lb Cu, $1,565/oz Au, and technical and economic parameters given in the PEA study) (Nevsun news release, October 26, 2017 and SEDAR filed technical report titled "Technical Report for a Preliminary Economic Assessment Update for the Timok Project, Republic of Serbia" with an effective date of September 1, 2017 and report date of November 27, 2017 authored by SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc.). Site preparation activities in 2017 advanced the construction of a portal and exploration decline.
In 2018, an Upper Zone PFS was completed by Nevsun with a probable mineral reserve of 27 million tonnes at 3.3% copper and 2.1 g/t gold based upon metal prices of $3.00 per pound copper and $1,300 per ounce gold (Nevsun news release, March 28, 2018). Subsequently, an initial inferred resource estimate was announced for the Lower Zone porphyry project at a $25/tonne "dollar equivalent" cutoff of 1.659 billion tonnes averaging 0.86% copper and 0.18 g/t gold (Nevsun news release, June 26, 2018 and SEDAR filed Technical Report titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report - Timok Copper- Gold Project, Serbia: Upper Zone Prefeasibility Study and Resource Estimate for the Lower Zone" with an effective date of June 19, 2018 and report date of August 7, 2018 authored by Hatch, SRK, and Knight Piesold).The mining method was assumed to be by block cave.
The mineral resource and reserve estimates by previous operator Nevsun are relevant. They use mineral resource and reserve categories as defined in the CIM Definition Standards (and by extension NI 43-101) and can be relied upon. The Nevsun mineral resource and reserve estimates provided the basis for Zijin's re-statement of current mineral resource and reserve estimates in its 2020 Annual Report.
Late in 2018, Nevsun announced that an offer by Zijin to purchase Nevsun had been successful (Nevsun news release, December 28, 2018). This provided Zijin with 100% control of the Upper Zone, and a joint venture interest with Freeport on the Lower Zone. In December, 2019 Zijin purchased Freeport's remaining 54% interest in the Lower Zone porphyry (Zijin news releases, November 3, 2019 and December 30, 2019). The end result of Zijin's acquisition activities from 2018-2019 was to consolidate 100% control of the Timok Project, which included the Cukaru Peki deposit's Upper and Lower Zones.
To date, there has been no significant production registered from the Brestovać - Metovnica permit or other Project permits.
Geology and Mineral Resource Estimates
Čukaru Peki is a copper-gold deposit comprised of two different types of mineralization - the high sulfidation style Upper Zone ("UZ") and the porphyry style Lower Zone ("LZ"). The deposit is located within the central zone (or Bor District) of the Timok Magmatic Complex. The Timok Magmatic Complex is located within the central segment of the Late Cretaceous Apuseni-Banat-Timok-Srednogorie magmatic belt in the Carpatho-Balkan region of southern-eastern Europe. The Apuseni- Banat- Timok-Srednogorie belt forms part of the western segment of the Tethyan Magmatic and Metallogenic Belt, which lies along the southern Eurasian continental margin and extends over 1,000 km from Hungary, through the Apuseni Mountains of Romania, to Serbia and Bulgaria and on to the Black Sea.
The Mineral Resource estimates for the Upper Zone and Lower Zone were reported in Zijin's 2020 Annual Report issued on April 28, 2021. The estimates reported by Zijin and set forth in Tables 1-1 and 1-2 have been conformed to the requirements of NI 43-101.
The 2020 Mineral Resource statement reported by Zijin for the Upper Zone of the Čukaru Peki deposit is shown in Table 1-1. The Mineral Resources are inclusive of Mineral Reserves.
Table 1-1: 2020 Zijin Annual Report Mineral Resource Statement as at December 31, 2020 for the
Upper Zone of the Čukaru Peki Deposit
Category | Quantity Mt | Grade | Metal |
% Cu | g/t Au | % As | Cu Mt | Au Moz |
Measured | 2.20 | 8.6 | 5.70 | 0.29 | 0.19 | 0.40 |
Indicated | 26.60 | 3.3 | 2.10 | 0.20 | 0.87 | 1.80 |
Measured and Indicated | 28.70 | 3.7 | 2.40 | 0.20 | 1.05 | 2.20 |
Inferred | 13.90 | 1.6 | 0.90 | 0.06 | 0.23 | 0.42 |
1. The Resource NSR cutoff value used to report the estimate is $35/tonne.
2. All figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimate.
3. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.
The 2020 Mineral Resource statement reported by Zijin for the Lower Zone of the Čukaru Peki deposit is shown in Table 1-2.
Table 1-2: 2020 Zijin Annual Report Mineral Resource Statement as at December 31, 2020 for the
Lower Zone of the Čukaru Peki Deposit
Category | Resource Domain | Quantity Mt | Grade | Metal Contained |
% Cu | g/t Au | % As | Cu Mt | Au Moz |
Inferred | Lower Zone Porphyry | 1,659 | 0.86 | 0.18 | 0.01 | 14.3 | 9.6 |
Total-Inferred | 1,659 | 0.86 | 0.18 | 0.01 | 14.3 | 9.6 |
1. The cutoff value used to report the mineral resource estimate is $25/tonne and has been reported using a US dollar equivalent cutoff value based on copper price of $3.00/lb, gold price of $1,400/oz, and an 87% recovery for copper and a 69% recovery for gold for assessing eventual economic potential of the mineral resources.
2. All figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimate.
3. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.
Mineral Reserve
The Mineral Reserve statement for the Upper Zone of the Čukaru Peki deposit was reported in Zijin's 2020 Annual Report issued on April 28, 2021. The estimate reported by Zijin and set forth in Table 1-3 has been conformed to the requirements of NI 43-101.
Table 1-3: 2020 Zijin Annual Report Mineral Reserve Statement as at December 31, 2020 for the Upper Zone of the Čukaru Peki Deposit
Category | Quantity (kt) | Grade | Contained Metal |
(% Cu) | (g/t Au) | (% As) | Cu Mlb | Au Moz | (kt As) |
Proven | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable | 27,121 | 3.25 | 2.06 | 0.17 | 1,944.1 | 1.792 | 47 |
Total | 27,121 | 3.25 | 2.06 | 0.17 | 1,944.1 | 1.792 | 47 |
1. Metal prices used include $3.00/lb Cu and $1,300/oz Au.
2. A Reserve NSR cut-off of $35/tonne was used to optimize the sublevel caving ring layout.
3. Contained metal figures and totals may differ due to rounding of figures.
Status of Development and Operations
Zijin has not provided public technical disclosure on the Timok Project regarding mining, economic analysis or other development considerations. However, there are relevant public disclosures that provide general context for the pace of development, expected production scope, and timing for production. In MRM's opinion, these disclosures provide important context for an overall understanding of EMX's Upper Zone royalty asset.
On April 22, 2020 International Mining published on their website the following regarding initial production at the Project. "CPM Consulting, which has a supervisory role at the massive Timok copper-gold project for Zijin Bor Copper, the Serbian unit of China's Zijin Mining Group, says the operation will produce 3.3 Mt/y (10,000 t/d) of ore from the Čukaru Peki Upper Zone mine. The operation also represents the first big European project for Chinese mining contractor JCHX, which set up local company JCHX Kinsey Mining Construction doo Bor to manage the mine construction. JCHX has been busy sinking the ventilation shaft at the site and developing the main decline. First copper from the Upper Zone mine is still expected by end 2021."
Zijin stated in a news release, dated June 16, 2021, that they "recently obtained the trial production permit for the processing facilities issued by the Serbian Ministry of Mining and Energy, and have entered the trial production stage. At present, the construction of the processing facilities of the project has been completed, and trial production and operation, construction conclusion and greening, etc. are being conducted at full speed. It is planned that all work of the trial production stage shall be completed for submission to the Ministry of Mining for acceptance check before September of this year. This will achieve a smooth transition from mine infrastructure construction to production and operation."
MRM does not have the data or supporting information to independently verify the disclosures above, but believes that they were accurate and not misleading at the time of disclosure.
Conclusions and Recommendations
MRM is unaware of any significant factors or risks that may affect access, title, or the right or ability for Zijin to advance the Timok Upper Zone development project to production, or of continuing to explore the Lower Zone resource project. The Upper Zone and Lower Zone are both covered by EMX royalty interests.
MRM recommends that EMX continue to request all current information related to the Timok Project from Zijin Mining Group to allow for an independent evaluation of the Project.
Qualified Person
Mineral Resource Management LLC's Kevin Francis, SME RM, a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, and author of the amended and restated Technical Report titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report - Timok Copper-Gold Project Royalty, Serbia", dated July 21, 2021, and with an effective date of December 31, 2020, has reviewed, verified and approved the above technical disclosure on the Timok Royalties.
Gediktepe Royalty
The Company has NSR royalties on the Gediktepe mine development project in western Turkey. EMX considers that the Gediktepe royalty is material to the Company. EMX filed on SEDAR a Technical Report titled "Gediktepe Project - Balıkesir Province, Turkey NI 43-101 Royalty Technical Report" dated March 21, 2022, and with an effective date of February 1, 2022 by DAMA Engineering Inc. The following discussion is taken from the Gediktepe Technical Report.
Introduction
EMX Royalty Corporation (TSX Venture: EMX; NYSE American: EMX) ("EMX" or the "Company") entered into an agreement (the "Royalty Purchase Agreement") dated July 29, 2021, with SSR Mining Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries ("SSR Mining") to purchase a portfolio of royalty interests and deferred payments (the "Royalty Portfolio"). The Royalty Portfolio includes the Gediktepe Project Net Smelter Return ("NSR") royalties (the "Gediktepe Royalties") on the oxide and sulfide mineralized zones of the Gediktepe polymetallic massive sulfide project in Western Turkey (the "Project"). The Project became material to EMX upon closing of the purchase of the Royalty Portfolio on October 21, 2021. EMX is required by Canadian Securities Administrators ("CSA") National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") to prepare a Technical Report on the Project with respect to the Gediktepe Royalties.
EMX holds royalty interests (not direct ownership) in the Project. Mining companies are not (typically) required to, and as a matter of practice do not normally disclose detailed information to companies that hold a royalty interest in their operations unless legally or contractually mandated to do so. EMX has requested all the current technical data from the private Turkish operator, Polimetal Madencilik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. ("Polimetal"), in order to conduct a detailed independent assessment of Gediktepe for this Technical Report. However, EMX has not yet received this data, and according to the underlying royalty agreement, does not have data rights beyond onsite reviews. EMX will continue to request the Project data directly from Polimetal.
There have been two previous Technical Reports describing the Project filed on SEDAR: the first is titled "Technical Report - Prefeasibility Study - Gediktepe Project, Balıkesir Province, Turkey" with an effective date of June 1, 2016 ("PFS16") prepared by Resource Development Inc., SRK Consulting (U.S.) Inc. and Independent Mining Consultants, Inc. for Alacer Gold Corp. ("Alacer") and Polimetal, and the second is titled "Gediktepe Prefeasibility Study" ("PFS19") dated April 3, 2019 with an effective date of March 26, 2019 prepared by OreWin Pty. Ltd. ("OreWin") for Alacer. These reports document the outcome of PFS-level technical work on Gediktepe's oxide and sulfide polymetallic mineralized zones performed on behalf of Polimetal, which was owned 50% by Lidya Madencilik San. ve Tic. A.Ş., a private Turkish company ("Lidya"), and 50% by Alacer, formerly a reporting issuer in Canada. The Project and Polimetal are now 100% controlled by Lidya. Lidya has also provided EMX with a 2020 internal report titled "Gediktepe Project Oxide Technical Report" ("TR20") with an effective date of March 1, 2020. The TR20 report was largely taken from PFS19, although updates and refinements to the oxide processing flowsheet were proposed. Unless otherwise specified, the contents of this Technical Report have been excerpted from, or based upon, the aforementioned PFS16, PFS19, and TR20 reports. In addition, information and Project updates verbally communicated by Lidya during two onsite field visits were noted, and where appropriate, used to provide more recent context for the status of the Project. For simplicity in this document, references to Lidya also refer to Polimetal, the operating entity, when citing information dated after July 2019, when Lidya acquired 100% interest in Polimetal.
Property Description and Ownership
The Gediktepe Project is located in the Balıkesir province of Western Turkey (Figure 1-1). The UTM Zone 35N, European Datum coordinates of the approximate center of the Project are 636,000E, 4,358,000N.
Figure from OreWin, 2019
Figure 1-1: Project Area Location Map
EMX completed the purchase of the Gediktepe Royalties based upon the terms and conditions of the Royalty Purchase Agreement with SSR Mining and certain of its subsidiaries to purchase the Royalty Portfolio. The Royalty Portfolio included the Gediktepe Royalties consisting of: (i) a perpetual 10% NSR royalty over metals produced from the oxide zone (predominantly gold and silver) after cumulative production of 10,000 gold-equivalent oxide ounces; and (ii) a perpetual 2% NSR royalty over metals produced from the sulfide zone (predominantly copper, zinc, lead, silver, and gold), payable after cumulative production of 25,000 gold-equivalent sulfide ounces (gold equivalent as referenced from the 2019 Share Purchase Agreement between Alacer and Lidya).
The following Project license and permits have been confirmed as being current and in good standing.
The General Directorate of Mining and Petroleum Affairs (GDMPA) approved the merging of Operating License (OL) 20054077 and Exploration License (EL) 201400291 into one OL (RN 85535) on July 29, 2016. RN 85535 is valid until June 23, 2036. The Gediktepe OL (RN 85535) covers a total area of 1,486.99 ha and is held by Polimetal (now wholly owned by Lidya).
On February 21, 2018, the GDMPA also approved Polimetal's application for a production permit for clay and aggregate for three locations within RN 85535.
The Gediktepe mining licenses do not have any associated royalties to a third party other than EMX's Gediktepe Royalties and a government royalty, which consists of royalty rates defined by commodity and metal price.
As of the effective dates of the PFS19 and TR20 reports, a series of final permits were pending in anticipation of a follow-on Feasibility Study and initiation of construction. However, it is known from site visits conducted by DAMA in 2021 that Project construction and initial mining of the oxide phase of the Project had commenced, implying that the necessary permits had been received.
To DAMA's knowledge, there are no significant factors or risks that may affect access, title, or the right ability to perform work on the Project, and by extension Lidya's ability to meet its royalty payment obligations to EMX.
Accessibility, Climate, Local Resources, Infrastructure and Physiography
The Project is located 67 km (air distance) southeast of Balıkesir Province center and 38 km east-southeast of the Bigadiç township. It is accessed along 102 km of paved road from the city of Balıkesir (population 1,189,075) on highway D555 through the town of Bigadiç (population 48,470). The closest settlements to the Gediktepe Project site are the Hacıömerderesi neighborhood, the Aşıderesi neighborhood, affiliated with the Hacıömerderesi neighborhood, and the Meyvalı neighborhood.
The terrain at the Project is mountainous with steep erosional valleys. Elevations in the Project area range from 974-1,482 m above sea level (masl). Coniferous trees cover most of the Project site, with occasional open meadows in areas of less-steep terrain.
The local climate is hot and arid during the summer and warm during the fall. There is snow from December through February but typically not as a significant accumulation. Spring is often the rainy period.
The main economic income sources in the area are forestry, agriculture, and animal husbandry.
As of the effective dates of PFS19 and the TR20 reports, an adequate water supply system needed to be established for the Project as there was no developed system in the area capable of supporting a project of Gediktepe's size. From DAMA's site visits, it appears that Lidya has been taking the steps to develop a pipeline to provide the necessary water for the Project.
A 39.6 km-long 34.5 kV power transmission line (PTL) was constructed between Dursunbey substation and Kürendere to provide power to the Project. This PTL will provide adequate electrical power for site operations.
Given Gediktepe's physiographic and climatic conditions DAMA believes that year-round operations of the Project are possible. Adequate local manpower is available to support mining operations. To DAMA's knowledge, with adequate power and access to suitable areas for Project infrastructure, the principal contingency requiring final confirmation of resolution is Polimetal's completion of the pipeline to provide an adequate water supply for the Project.
Geology
The Gediktepe regional geology comprises Upper Paleozoic metamorphic rocks and Lower to Middle Miocene intrusives and volcanics. These rocks are stratigraphically overlain by Triassic carbonates and fragmental units, Jurassic limestone, and an Upper Cretaceous ophiolitic mélange. Oligocene and Lower Miocene intrusions cut the Paleozoic metamorphic and Upper Cretaceous ophiolitic rocks, establishing in the region what is now called the Alaçam Mountains granites, which outcrop in an arc-shaped geometry over an area of nearly 30 km2. Lower Miocene volcanic rocks are positioned stratigraphically above Paleozoic to Upper Paleozoic metamorphics and Upper Cretaceous ophiolitic mélanges.
Upper Paleozoic metamorphics are the most common units at Gediktepe, with the stratigraphic sequence, from top to bottom, being:
- Dacite and Pyroclastic (top)
- Calcschist
- Feldspar-Quartz Schist
- Chlorite-Sericite Schist
- Quartz Schist (bottom)
The second-most common rocks at the Project are the Lower to Middle Miocene volcanics, observable around Karadikmen Hill, southwest of Gediktepe. These rocks are comprised of altered dacite-rhyodacites characterized by lava flows and pyroclastics.
The youngest units at the Project are mineralized gossan and ferricrete, along with talus, colluvium, and alluvium, all being weathering products of the host rock.
Mineralization and Deposit Type
The Project is a massive sulfide deposit hosted in schists. The sulfide zone is polymetallic with potentially economic values of zinc, copper, gold, and silver. The upper portions of the Gediktepe deposit have been weathered, leached, and oxidized by naturally occurring acidic surface water and ground water. The oxide zone hosts gold-silver mineralization, but is nearly devoid of base metals.
Mineralization at the Project is associated with greenschist facies units that are interpreted to represent massive sulfide deposition that was syngenetic with sedimentary units. These units are now elongated along a north-easterly trending structural zone that has been metamorphosed to schist. The massive sulfide-type mineralization occurs as lens-shaped units trending north-easterly and dipping at approximately 20° to 40° to the northwest. The major sulfide zone minerals are sphalerite and chalcopyrite. Pyrite is ubiquitous.
Potentially economic gold-silver-copper-zinc mineralization is present to varying degrees, and is divided into five main types, as summarized in Table 1-1.
Table 1-1: Mineralization Types
Horizon | Mineralization Type |
Oxide | Gossan |
Sulfide | Massive Pyrite |
Massive Pyrite-Magnetite |
Enriched |
Disseminated Sulfide |
Table from OreWin, 2019
The units are cut by later north-westerly trending post-mineralization structures.
The characteristics of the Gediktepe mineralization have been interpreted as a convex-up massive sulfide type deposit, which implies a syngenetic style of sulfide mineralization. Subsequent weathering and oxidation are responsible for the development of the oxide and gossan horizons.
History
Ownership History
The Gediktepe mining licenses are held by Polimetal Mining Industry and Trade Inc., otherwise known as Polimetal Madencilik San. ve Tic. A.Ş., which was formed in 2011 as a joint venture (JV) company between Lidya (50%) and Alacer (50%). The Gediktepe deposit was discovered in 2012-2013 by the JV. Alacer entered into an agreement (the "2019 Share Purchase Agreement") with Lidya in July 2019 to sell its 50% non-operating ownership interest in the Project to Lidya, whereby Alacer retained the Gediktepe Royalties, consisting of a) a 10% NSR royalty on all oxide ore production, and b) a 2% NSR on all sulfide ore production. The sale to Lidya resulted in Lidya consolidating 100% control of Polimetal and the Gediktepe Project. Subsequently, Alacer and SSR Mining completed a merger transaction in September 2020, whereby Alacer became a wholly owned subsidiary of SSR Mining. EMX purchased the Gediktepe Royalties from SSR Mining upon closing of the Royalty Purchase Agreement on October 21, 2021.
Historical Exploration and Drilling
There were five phases of core (DD) and reverse circulation (RC) exploration drilling at Gediktepe, commencing in 2013 and ending in 2018. This resulted in 438 DD holes totaling 56,898 meters and 191 RC holes totaling 13,229 meters. Of the total drillhole database, a subset of drilling comprised of 624 DD and RC holes totaling 68,968 m was used for geological modelling and resource estimation work in the PFS19 report by OreWin.
Historical Grade Estimation
Historical resource block model grades were estimated using either ordinary kriging (OK) or inverse distance weighting to the power of two (ID2). Depending on the domain being estimated, composites of either 1 m or 2 m (notional) length were used. The modelled estimates were assessed for levels of geological confidence, and classified into Measured, Indicated, and Inferred categories, referencing CIM guidelines (CIM, 2014). The Mineral Resource tonnages and grades were reported using NSR cut-offs and constrained within an optimized pit.
Historical Mineral Resources
The PFS19 historical Measured, Indicated, and Inferred Mineral Resources and combined Measured plus Indicated Resources for the Project at specified NSR cut-offs are presented in Table 1-2. The more-detailed breakdown of Mineral Resources by mineralogy-type is included in Section 6 of the Technical Report.
Table 1-2 summarizes "Historical Estimates" within the meaning of NI 43-101. The source of the estimates is Section 14 of PFS19, as repeated in TR20. The historical estimates set forth in Table 1-2 do not use categories of mineral resources other than the ones set out in the CIM Definition Standards and Section 1.2 of NI 43-101. For further details on the parameters utilized in the estimates, the reader is referred to Section 14 of PFS19.
A qualified person has not performed sufficient work to classify the historical resource estimates as current mineral resources, and DAMA is not treating the historical estimates as current. Significant data compilation, confirmation drilling, re-sampling and data verification may be required by, or under the supervision of, a qualified person before the historical estimates can be classified as current mineral resources. The historical resource estimates are considered to be relevant and are presented for the purpose of describing the extent and nature of mineralization as presently understood. The historical resource estimates should not be relied upon until verified by a qualified person.
Table 1-2: Historical Gediktepe PFS19 Mineral Resources
MEASURED | Tonnes (kt) | Grade | Metal |
Au (g/t) | Ag (g/t) | Cu (%) | Zn (%) | Pb (%) | Au (koz) | Ag (koz) | Cu (kt) | Zn (kt) |
Total Oxide | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Total Sulfide | 3,999 | 0.67 | 25.1 | 1.01 | 1.83 | 0.34 | 86 | 3,221 | 40 | 73 |
Total Measured | 3,999 | 0.67 | 25.1 | 1.01 | 1.83 | 0.34 | 86 | 3,221 | 40 | 73 |
| | | | | | | | | | |
INDICATED | Tonnes (kt) | Grade | Metal |
Au (g/t) | Ag (g/t) | Cu (%) | Zn (%) | Pb (%) | Au (koz) | Ag (koz) | Cu (kt) | Zn (kt) |
Total Oxide | 2,674 | 2.71 | 66.3 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.47 | 233 | 5,703 | 3 | 3 |
Total Sulfide | 23,544 | 0.74 | 27.6 | 0.85 | 1.69 | 0.33 | 560 | 20,865 | 200 | 399 |
Total Indicated | 26,217 | 0.94 | 31.5 | 0.78 | 1.53 | 0.34 | 792 | 26,568 | 203 | 402 |
| | | | | | | | | | |
INFERRED | Tonnes (kt) | Grade | Metal |
Au (g/t) | Ag (g/t) | Cu (%) | Zn (%) | Pb (%) | Au (koz) | Ag (koz) | Cu (kt) | Zn (kt) |
Total Oxide | 23 | 0.95 | 21.8 | 0.23 | 0.14 | 0.12 | 1 | 16 | 0 | 0 |
Total Sulfide | 2,958 | 0.53 | 20.2 | 0.76 | 1.16 | 0.27 | 51 | 1,926 | 22 | 34 |
Total Inferred | 2,981 | 0.54 | 20.3 | 0.76 | 1.16 | 0.27 | 51 | 1,941 | 23 | 34 |
| | | | | | | | | | |
MEASURED + INDICATED | Tonnes (kt) | Grade | Metal |
Au (g/t) | Ag (g/t) | Cu (%) | Zn (%) | Pb (%) | Au (koz) | Ag (koz) | Cu (kt) | Zn (kt) |
Total Oxide | 2,674 | 2.71 | 66.3 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.47 | 233 | 5,703 | 3 | 3 |
Total Sulfide | 27,542 | 0.73 | 27.2 | 0.87 | 1.71 | 0.33 | 645 | 24,086 | 241 | 472 |
Total M + I | 30,216 | 0.9 | 30.7 | 0.81 | 1.57 | 0.34 | 878 | 29,790 | 243 | 475 |
Table from OreWin, 2019
Notes (reference to Mineral Resources is used in the context as Historical Mineral Resources):
1 CIM definitions were followed for the Mineral Resources.
2 Effective Date of the Mineral Resources is March 5, 2019.
3 Mineral Resources were estimated within geologic domains by either ordinary kriging or inverse distance.
4 Mineral Resources are reported at NSR cut-offs of $20.72/t for oxide and $17.79/t for sulfide using the mineral reserve metal prices x 1.14 (+14%) and variable metal recoveries according to material and mineralization type (refer to Table 1-3 of this Technical Report and the PFS19 report for details).
5 Mineral Resources have been constrained using an optimized pit shell, to reflect reasonable prospects of economic extraction.
6 Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
7 Mineral Resources are inclusive of Mineral Reserves, except for mining losses and grade dilution, which are determined through re-blocking of the resource model after declaration of the Mineral Resource.
8 Mineral Resources are quoted on a 100% project basis.
9 Totals may not match due to rounding.
Historical Mineral Reserves
The historical PFS19 Gediktepe Mineral Reserves, reported according to the CIM guidelines, are summarized in Table 1-3. Due to their polymetallic nature, the oxide and sulfide portions of the historical Mineral Reserves are quoted at different NSR cut-offs based on metal prices, metal recoveries, and on and off-site processing costs.
Table 1-3 summarizes "Historical Estimates" within the meaning of NI 43-101. The source of the estimates is Section 15 of PFS19, as repeated in TR20. The historical estimates set forth in Table 1-3 do not use categories of mineral reserves other than the ones set out in the CIM Definition Standards and Section 1.3 of NI 43-101. For further details on the parameters utilized in the estimates, the reader is referred to Section 15 of PFS19.
A qualified person has not performed sufficient work to classify the historical reserve estimates as current mineral reserves, and DAMA is not treating the historical estimates as current mineral reserves. Significant data compilation, confirmation drilling, re-sampling, data verification and updating of metal prices, engineering assumptions, and economic parameters may be required by a qualified person before the historical estimates can be classified as current. The historical reserve estimates are considered to be relevant and are presented for informational purposes to describe the extent and nature of mineralization on the Project as presently understood. The historical reserve estimates should not be relied upon until verified by a qualified person.
Table 1-3: Historical Gediktepe PFS19 Mineral Reserves
Classification | Tonnes (kt) | Grade | Contained Metal |
Au (g/t) | Ag (g/t) | Cu (%) | Zn (%) | Au (koz) | Ag (koz) | Cu (kt) | Zn (kt) |
Oxide |
Proven | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Probable | 2,755 | 2.34 | 56.7 | - | - | 207 | 5,020 | - | - |
Proven & Probable | 2,755 | 2.34 | 56.7 | - | - | 207 | 5,020 | - | - |
Sulfide |
Proven | 3,620 | 0.68 | 26.7 | 1.03 | 1.93 | 79 | 3,105 | 37 | 70 |
Probable | 14,960 | 0.89 | 33.1 | 0.89 | 1.99 | 429 | 15,903 | 133 | 298 |
Proven & Probable | 18,580 | 0.85 | 31.8 | 0.92 | 1.98 | 509 | 19,008 | 170 | 368 |
Table from OreWin, 2019
Notes (reference to Mineral Reserves is used in the context as Historical Mineral Reserves):
1 CIM definitions were followed for the Mineral Reserves.
2 Effective Date of the Mineral Reserve is March 5, 2019.
3 Mineral Reserves were reported using an NSR based on metal prices of $1,300/oz Au, $18.5/oz Ag, $3.30/lb Cu, and $1.28/lb Zn, smelter terms for treatment and refining charges and transport including ocean freight for sulfide concentrates.
4 Cut-offs applied were: oxide $20.67/t and sulfide $17.74/t. Additionally, enriched mineralization with a Cu/Zn grade ratio < 0.75 is considered to be waste.
5 Reported Mineral Reserves incorporate and include mining losses and grade dilution that are not reported in the Mineral Resource.
6 Only Measured Mineral Resources (and dilution) were used to report Proven Mineral Reserves and only Indicated Mineral Resources (and dilution) were used to report Probable Mineral Reserves.
7 Mineral Reserves are a subset of, not additive to, the Mineral Resources and are quoted on a 100% project basis.
8 Totals may not match due to rounding.
Historical Mining Methods
The historical PFS19 and TR20 reports propose a conventional open pit mining operation using excavators and trucks. The operation will start with the oxide zone of the deposit based on AMC Consultants Pty Ltd's ("AMC") and Lidya's mining studies. After finishing the oxide zone, the sulfide zone of the reserve will be produced. Open pit mining will be carried out by conventional diesel-powered truck and excavator, with small mining equipment (3-4 m3-excavator) used for selective mining. An experienced mining contractor will be employed for both waste removal and ore mining. The mining activities will be supervised by Lidya's team. The oxide zone operation will be performed on benches of 5 m considering ore control block dimension & slope. The operation bench height might have to change to 2.5 m as sulfide zone mining starts in order to be more selective and to decrease dilution.
Historical Recovery Methods
The laboratory metallurgical test work programs demonstrated that oxide and sulfide types of material require different treatment methods for the Gediktepe deposit.
In the treatment of oxide material, two different cyanidation alternatives have been described in the PFS19 and TR20 reports. One flowsheet alternative summarized in PFS19 is a heap leach circuit with application of 45 days cyanidation followed by Merrill Crowe processing (zinc precipitation) to produce gold-silver dore. The other alternative proposed in the PFS19 is carbon in pulp (CIP) circuit comprising metal adsorption onto carbon, desorption of recovered metal and refining. The TR20 report focused entirely on a refined heap leach - Merrill Crowe recovery approach.
The sulfide sample test results showed that saleable flotation concentrate products can be produced from conventional comminution and flotation processes.
Historical Site Infrastructure
The Project requires several infrastructure items in order to operate, including: Heap Leach Pad, Waste Storage Facility, Water and Power Supply, Access Road, Mine Site Buildings, and Water Diversion Channels. Additional infrastructures will be added during the sulfide ore stage which include a Tailing Storage Facility (TSF), ROM Pad and Stockpile Area, and both Copper and Zinc Concentrate Areas.
Historical Environmental Studies, Permitting and Social or Community Impact
Various environmental baseline studies are described in PFS19 including an EIA. Another EIA report will be compiled when the Project design is finalized at the end of the Project feasibility studies, which remains pending as of the effective date of this Technical Report. The Project has had the support of the local community since 2012. There are no protection areas near the Project area.
Historical Other Relevant Data and Information
Various components of other relevant data and information have been addressed in TR20. The Project execution plan developed by Lidya includes two main stages; 1) Finalize detailed design and construction of the oxide portion of the Project, and 2) Further feasibility studies of the sulfide portion of the Project. Progress regarding the execution plan was observed during DAMA's site visits as outlined in Section 12 of the Technical Report.
Historical Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations from PFS19 and TR20 are included for the Mineral Resources, Mining Methods, Process and Metallurgical Test Work, and Site Infrastructure. Historical PFS19 and TR20 suggest further work be completed to reduce uncertainty in resource classification categories, mining methods, processing and metallurgical of sulfides, and infrastructure design in order to complete a feasibility study.
Data Verification
Polimetal (Lidya) granted DAMA (Sabri Karahan, General Manager, and Mustafa Atalay, Senior Geologist, CPG) and EMX personnel (Eric Jensen, EMX General Manager of Exploration) two limited pre-planned site visits. These site visits were on August 16, 2021, and December 9, 2021. EMX has requested access to technical and other key data (e.g., ESG, permitting, etc.) from Polimetal (Lidya). However, these requests have not yet been granted as of the effective date of this Technical Report. EMX will continue seeking access to key data to further understand the Gediktepe Project's exploration potential, resources and reserves, and anticipated near term and life of mine production schedules.
Conclusions and Recommendations
Based upon the historical information available from the pre-feasibility reports, and a more recent internal report provided by Lidya, DAMA is unaware of any significant factors or risks that may affect access, title, or the right or ability for Polimetal (Lidya) to continue to advance the Project to commercial production. The Project is covered by EMX NSR royalty interests as described in this Technical Report. Conclusions and recommendations include:
Resource classification categories assigned to Gediktepe estimates are sufficient for a prefeasibility assessment. However, more work is recommended in an effort to reduce uncertainty associated with variations in confidence levels of the resource classification categories.
A more detailed plan will need to be outlined to maintain grade control with a high degree of accuracy.
Mining studies have outlined a robust starter project focusing on the oxide portion of the deposit. As mining continues, precise pit slope excavation and management of in-pit water are crucial to liberate sulfide material found at the bottom of the pit and avoid prohibitive declines in recoveries.
Polimetal (Lidya) selected a two stage crushing, conventional heap - Merrill Crowe processing flowsheet. DAMA has noted the following risks for oxide processing: "clayey' nature of ore during blending, slumping in open pit operations, and accumulation of copper in leach solution during oxide processing. DAMA recommends further investigation, clarification, and planning be conducted to resolve these risks.
For the sulfide ore, OreWin identified risks associated with processing of enriched ore due to the pre-activation of zinc. OreWin recommends careful management of stockpile residence time to mitigate this risk. DAMA agrees with OreWin's assessment.
Qualified Persons
Dama Engineering Inc's Mustafa Atalay, CPG, Senior Geologist; Metin Alemdar, MIMMM, Senior Mining and Mineral Processing Engineer; Selim Yilmaz, MIMMM, Senior Mining and Mineral Processing Engineer; and Arif Umutcan Gelisen, MIMMM, Senior Mining and Mineral Processing Engineer are Qualified Persons as defined by NI 43-101, and authors of the Technical Report titled "Gediktepe Project - Balıkesir Province, Turkey, NI 43-101 Royalty Technical Report", dated March 21, 2022 and with an effective date of February 1, 2022, have reviewed, verified and approved the above technical disclosure on the Gediktepe Royalties.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE
EMX's authorized capital consists of two classes of equity securities, the Common Shares, of which there are an unlimited number, and an unlimited number of preferred shares without par value.
As of March 25, 2022, EMX had 105,571,006 Common Shares and no preferred shares issued and outstanding. All of the issued Common Shares are fully paid and not subject to any future call or assessment. The Common Shares rank equally as to voting rights, participation and distribution of EMX's assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up and the entitlement to dividends. Holders of Common Shares are entitled to receive notice of, attend and vote at all meetings of shareholders of EMX. Each Common Share carries one vote at such meetings. Holders of Common Shares are also entitled to dividends if and when declared by the directors and, upon liquidation, to receive such portion of the assets of EMX as may be distributable to such holders.
DIVIDENDS
EMX has not, since its incorporation, paid any dividends on any of its Common Shares. EMX has no present intention to pay dividends, but EMX's Board of Directors will determine any future dividend policy on the basis of earnings, financial requirements and other relevant factors. See "General Development of Business - Risk Factors". The Company is prohibited from paying any dividend which would render it insolvent.
MARKET FOR SECURITIES
The Common Shares are traded in Canada on the TSX-V and in the United States of America on the NYSE American under the symbol "EMX".
The following sets forth the high and low market prices and the volume of the Common Shares traded on the NYSE American during the periods indicated:
| High (C$) | Low (C$) | Volume |
January 2021 | $4.83 | $3.82 | 621,600 |
February 2021 | $4.70 | $4.11 | 394,200 |
March 2021 | $4.18 | $3.45 | 540,800 |
April 2021 | $4.09 | $3.74 | 354,000 |
May 2021 | $4.45 | $4.01 | 370,100 |
June 2021 | $4.23 | $3.62 | 169,700 |
July 2021 | $3.92 | $3.38 | 214,600 |
August 2021 | $4.00 | $3.50 | 250,500 |
September 2021 | $3.71 | $3.22 | 252,500 |
October 2021 | $3.59 | $3.05 | 285,100 |
November 2021 | $3.73 | $3.20 | 171,900 |
December 2021 | $3.34 | $2.45 | 532,500 |
The following sets forth the high and low market prices and the volume of the Common Shares traded on the NYSE American during the periods indicated:
| High (US$) | Low (US$) | Volume |
January 2021 | $3.81 | $3.17 | 6,033,400 |
February 2021 | $3.72 | $3.24 | 6,111,600 |
March 2021 | $3.33 | $2.73 | 5,267,500 |
April 2021 | $3.32 | $2.95 | 2,885,800 |
May 2021 | $3.67 | $3.25 | 3,154,300 |
June 2021 | $3.52 | $2.91 | 3,085,400 |
July 2021 | $3.14 | $2.69 | 2,750,100 |
August 2021 | $3.17 | $2.72 | 3,397,600 |
September 2021 | $2.93 | $2.50 | 3,039,200 |
October 2021 | $2.85 | $2.43 | 3,273,000 |
November 2021 | $2.93 | $2.50 | 2,748,300 |
December 2021 | $2.61 | $1.87 | 4,460,200 |
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
The name, province or state and country of residence and position with the Company of each director and executive officer of the Company, and the principal business or occupation in which each director or executive officer has been engaged during the immediately preceding five years, effective on the date of this AIF, is as follows:
Name, Place of Residence and Position with Company(1) | Present and Principal Occupation during the last five years | Positions Held and Date of Appointment |
Brian Eric Bayley (2) (3) (5) British Columbia Canada | Executive Chairman of Earlston Investments Corp. (private merchant bank), January 2018 to present.
President of Earlston Management Corp. (private management company), December 1996 to present.
Director and officer of several private and public companies. | Director May 13, 1996 |
Christina Cepeliauskas British Columbia Canada | Chief Administrative Officer of the Company, July 2020 to present. Former Chief Financial Officer of the Company from September 2008 to June 2020. | Chief Administrative Officer July 1, 2020 |
David Morrell Cole Colorado United States of America | President and CEO of the Company, March 2003 to present. | President, CEO and Director November 24, 2003 |
Rocio del Carmen Echegaray British Columbia Canada | Corporate Secretary of the Company, November 2019 to present.
Corporate Secretary of Prophecy Development Corp. from March 2019 to November 2019.
Assistant to the Corporate Secretary of Minco Mining Group from April 2015 to April 2018. | Corporate Secretary November 18, 2019 |
Brian Kenneth Levet (3) (4) Western Australia Australia | Retired Mining Executive, January 2011 to present. | Director March 18, 2011 |
Sunny Lowe (2) (5) | Chief Financial Officer of Solaris Resources Inc., a multi-asset copper company exploring and developing in the Americas. Former Chief Financial Officer of INV Metals Inc. (TSX: INV) a Canadian mineral resource company (2018 to 2021). Former Vice President, Finance and Vice President, Internal Audit, Kinross Gold Corporation (TSX: K) a senior gold mining company (2013 to 2018) | Director June 30, 2021 |
Name, Place of Residence and Position with Company(1) | Present and Principal Occupation during the last five years | Positions Held and Date of Appointment |
Henrik Lundin (3) (4) (5) | Former Chairman and director of Gold Line Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: GLDL) a Canadian mineral exploration company (2020 - 2021).
Former Chief Operating Officer at TAG Oil Ltd. | Director June 30, 2021 |
Larry Minoru Okada (2) (4) British Columbia Canada | Former Chief Financial Officer of Africo Resources Ltd. (publicly traded (TSX: ARL) mining company) until July 2016. | Director June 11, 2013 |
Doug Leigh Reed British Columbia Canada | Chief Financial Officer of the Company, July 2020 to present. Former Corporate Controller of EMX Royalty Corporation from August 2010 to June 2020. | Chief Financial Officer July 1, 2020 |
Michael Dempsey Winn California United States of America | Executive Chairman of the Company, May 2012 to Present.
President of Seabord Capital Corp. (private consulting company).
President of Seabord Services Corp. (private management, administrative, and regulatory services company).
Director and officer of various public resource companies. | Chairman May 23, 2012 Director November 24, 2003 |
1. The information as to country of residence and principal occupation has been furnished by the respective directors and officers individually.
2. Denotes member of the Audit Committee.
3. Denotes member of the Compensation Committee.
4. Denotes members of the Environmental Social and Governance Committee
5. Denotes member of the Nominating Committee
Each director's term of office expires at the next annual general meeting of EMX's shareholders.
Shareholdings of Directors and Executive Officers
As at March 25, 2022, the directors and executive officers, as a group, beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, or exercised control or direction over 5,249,387 Common Shares representing approximately 4.9723% of the outstanding Common Shares.
Cease Trade Orders, Bankruptcies, Penalties or Sanctions
Corporate Cease Trade Orders
No current director or executive officer of EMX is, or within the ten years prior to the date of this AIF has been, a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of any company (including EMX), that was subject to a cease trade order, an order similar to a cease trade order or an order that denied the relevant company access to any exemption under securities legislation, that was in effect for a period of more than 30 consecutive days, that was issued:
- while the director or executive officer was acting in the capacity as director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer; or
- after the director or executive officer ceased to be a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer and which resulted from an event that occurred while that person was acting in the capacity as director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer.
Bankruptcy
To the best of EMX's knowledge, no director, executive officer or a shareholder holding a sufficient number of securities of the Company to affect materially the control of the Company:
- is, as at the date of this AIF, or has been within 10 years before the date of this AIF, a director or executive officer of any company (including EMX) that, while that person was acting in that capacity, or within a year of that person ceasing to act in that capacity, became bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency or was subject to or instituted any proceeding, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold its assets;
- has, within the 10 years before the date of this AIF, become bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, become subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors, or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold the assets of the director, executive officer or shareholder.
Penalties and Sanctions
To the knowledge of EMX, as at the date of this AIF, no current director, executive officer, or shareholder holding a sufficient number of securities of the Company to affect materially the control of the Company has been subject to:
- any penalties or sanctions imposed by a court relating to securities legislation or by a securities regulatory authority or has entered into a settlement agreement with a securities regulatory authority; or
- any other penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body that would likely be considered important to a reasonable investor in making an investment decision.
Conflicts of Interest
Directors and officers of EMX may, from time to time, be involved with the business and operations of other mining issuers, in which case a conflict may arise. See "Development of Business - Risk Factors" for more details.
Audit Committee Information
Information Concerning the Audit Committee of the Company, as required by National Instrument 52-110 Audit Committees of the Canadian Securities Administrators., is provided in Schedule A to this AIF.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND REGULATORY ACTIONS
Bullion Monarch Mining Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, reached a settlement with Barrick Gold Corporation and Barrick affiliates and subsidiaries ("Barrick Entities") with respect to Bullion's claim of non-payment of royalties by the Barrick Entities to Bullion on production from properties in the Carlin trend, Nevada. Details of the settlement appear under the heading "Subsequent Events" in Note 20 of EMX's Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2021. EMX has not been subject to any regulatory penalties or sanctions during the financial year, nor entered into any settlement agreements relating to securities legislation.
INTERESTS OF MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
EMX is unaware of any material interest, direct or indirect, by way of beneficial ownership of securities or otherwise, of (i) any director or executive officer of EMX, (ii) a person or company that is, as of the date hereof, the direct or indirect beneficial owner of, or who exercises control or direction over, more than 10% of any class or series of EMX's outstanding securities, and (iii) any associate or affiliate of any person or company referred to in either (i) or (ii) above, in any transaction within the three most recently completed financial years or during the current financial year which has materially affected or would materially affect EMX or any of its subsidiaries.
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The transfer agent and registrar for EMX is Computershare Investor Services Inc., Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
MATERIAL CONTRACTS
The material contracts of the Company entered into during the financial year ended December 31, 2021, or before such time that are still in effect, other than contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business:
1 Royalty Sale Agreement between the Company and Euromax Resources Ltd ("Euromax") for acquisition of Euromax's NSR royalty interests over the Timok Project dated June 7, 2013 for consideration of CAD $200,000 (the "Royalty Sale Agreement").
2 Agreement for assignment of the NSR royalty interests over the Timok Project to the Company between the Company and Euromax dated June 7, 2013 and entered into pursuant to the Royalty Sale Agreement.
3 Timok Royalty Agreement between Reservoir Capital Corp. and Euromax with respect to the NSR royalty interests over the Timok Project dated March 16, 2010.
4 Royalty Purchase Agreement between the Company and SSR Mining Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries ("SSR Mining") for acquisition of SSR's royalty portfolio dated July 29, 2021 for consideration of up to US $100,000,000.
5 Amended and Restated Royalty Purchase Agreement between the Company and certain of its subsidiaries and SSR Mining and certain of its subsidiaries dated October 15, 2021.
6 Sprott Credit Agreement between the Company and Sprott Private Resource Lending II (Collector), LP dated August 16, 2021, as amended January 24, 2022 in the amount of US $44,000,000.
7 SSR Credit Agreement between SSR Mining and the Company dated October 21, 2021, as amended January 24, 2022 in the amount of US $8,000,000.
8 The Share Purchase Agreements between the Company and certain Caserones vendors for acquisition of the vendors' share interest in the Caserones mine royalty dated August 19, 2021 and September 2, 2021 for consideration of US $34,100,000.
INTERESTS OF EXPERTS
Names of Experts
The following persons, firms and companies are named as having prepared or certified a report, valuation statement or opinion described or included in a filing, or referred to in a filing, made under National Instrument 51-102 Continuous Disclosure Obligations of the Canadian Securities Administrators by the Company during or relating to, its most recently completed financial year and whose profession or business gives authority to the report, valuation statement or opinion made by the person, firm or company.
Name | Description |
Davidson and Company LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants | Independent Auditors, Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm dated March 25, 2022 for the consolidated financial statements as at and for the years ended Year Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. |
Kevin Francis, SME Registered Member Mineral Resource Management LLC | Technical Report Author; entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report - Timok Copper - Gold Project Royalty, Serbia" dated March 25, 2022 (the "Amended and Restated Technical Report"). |
DAMA Engineering Inc. Qualified Persons - Mustafa ATALAY, M.Sc., CPG.
Senior Geologist, Dama Engineering - Metin ALEMDAR, M.Sc., MIMMM
Senior Mining and Mineral Processing Engineer, Dama Engineering. - Selim YILMAZ, M.Sc., MIMMM
Senior Mining and Mineral Processing Engineer, Dama Engineering. - Arif Umutcan GELİŞEN, B.Sc., MIMMM
Senior Mining and Mineral Processing Engineer, Dama Engineering | Technical Report Author; entitled "Gediktepe Project - Balikesir Province, Turkey, NI 43-101 Royalty Technical Report" dated March 21, 2022 (the "Technical Report") |
Gregory W. Walker, SME RM. Consulting Geologist | Technical Report Author; entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report - Caserones, Copper-Molybdenum Mine Royalty Region III, Chile" dated March 1, 2022 (the "Technical Report"). |
Name | Description |
Dr. Eric P. Jensen, CPG | A Qualified Person by NI 43-101 and employee of the Company, who has reviewed, verified, and approved the disclosure of the technical information contained in the Company's AIF for the year ended December 31, 2021, and Management Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2021. |
Michael P. Sheehan, CPG | A Qualified Person by NI 43-101 and employee of the Company, who has reviewed, verified, and approved the disclosure of the technical information contained in the Company's AIF for the year ended December 31, 2021, and Management Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2021. |
Interests of Experts
Davidson and Company LLP has advised the Company that it is independent of the Company within the rules of professional conduct of the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia; and within the meaning of the federal securities laws administered by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Ethics and Independence Rules and Standards.
To the Company's knowledge, none of the other experts named in the foregoing section (other than Eric Jensen and Michael Sheehan) had, at the time they prepared or certified such report, valuation statement or opinion, received after such time or will receive any registered or beneficial interest, directly or indirectly, in any securities or other property of the Company.
None of such experts (other than Eric Jensen and Michael Sheehan) nor director, officer or employee of such experts is or is expected to be elected, appointed or employed as a director, officer or employee of the Company or of any associated or affiliate of the Company.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information, including directors' and officers' remuneration and indebtedness, principal, is holders of the Company's securities, securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans, where applicable, is contained in the Company's Management's Information Circular for its most recent annual meeting of shareholders.
Additional financial information is provided in the Company's financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis for its most recently completed financial year, all of which are filed on SEDAR. See Schedules A and B for the Audit Committee's charter and particulars of related matters.
Other additional information related to the Company may be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
SCHEDULE A
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
I. MANDATE
The Audit Committee (the "Committee") of the Board of Directors (the "Board") of EMX Royalty Corporation (the "Company") shall assist the Board in fulfilling its financial oversight responsibilities by overseeing the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Company and the audits of the financial statements of the Company. The Committee's primary duties and responsibilities under this mandate are to serve as an independent and objective party to:
(a) Monitor the quality and integrity of the Company's financial statements and other financial information;
(b) Ensure the compliance of the Company's financial statements and information with legal and regulatory requirements;
(c) Appoint, compensate, retain and oversee of the work of the Company's independent external auditor (the "Auditor"); and
(d) Review the performance of the Company's internal accounting procedures.
II. STRUCTURE AND OPERATIONS
A. Composition
The Committee shall be comprised of at least three members, each of whom is a director of the Company who meets the independence, financial literacy and other requirements set out below.
B. Qualifications
Each member of the Committee must meet the independence requirements of all applicable Canadian and United States securities laws and stock exchange rules (collectively, the "AC Rules") unless an exemption is available.
No member of the Committee may, other than in his or her capacity as a member of the Committee, the Board, or any other committee of the Board, accept directly or indirectly any consulting, advisory, or other "compensatory fee" (as such term is defined under applicable AC Rules) from, or be an "affiliated person" (as such term is defined under applicable AC Rules) of, the Company or any subsidiary of the Company unless an exemption or exception under applicable AC Rules is available.
No member of the Committee shall have participated in the preparation of the financial statements of the Company or any current subsidiary of the Company at any time during the past three years unless an exemption or exception under applicable AC Rules is available. Each member of the Committee must be able to read and understand financial statements of the nature and form issued by the Company.
At least one member of the Committee must be "financially sophisticated" in that he or she has past employment experience in finance or accounting, requisite professional certification in accounting, or any other comparable experience or background which results in the individual's financial sophistication, including but not limited to being or having been a chief executive officer, chief financial officer, other senior officer with financial oversight responsibilities. An "audit committee financial expert" (as such term is defined under Item 407(d)(5)(ii) and (ii) of Regulation S-K under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended) is presumed to qualify as financially sophisticated.
C. Appointment and Removal
In accordance with the Company's Articles, the members of the Committee shall be appointed by the Board following the Board's affirmative determination of such member's independence, and shall serve until such member's successor is duly elected and qualified or until the earlier of (i) the end of the next annual general meeting of the Company's shareholders; (ii) the death of a member, or (iii) the resignation, disqualification or removal of a member. Any member of the Committee may be removed, with or without cause, by a majority vote of the Board.
D. Chair
Unless the Board shall appoint a Chair, the members of the Committee shall designate a Chair by the majority vote of all of the members of the Committee. The Chair shall call, set the agendas for, and chair all meetings of, the Committee.
E. Sub-Committees
The Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees consisting of one or more members when appropriate, including the authority to grant pre-approvals of audit and permitted non-audit services, provided that a decision of such subcommittee to grant a pre-approval shall be presented to the full Committee at its next scheduled meeting.
F. Meetings
The Committee shall meet as often as is necessary to fulfil its duties respecting the Company's quarterly and annual financial statements but not less than on a quarterly basis as provided in this Charter. The Committee should meet with the Auditor and management annually to review the Company's financial statements in a manner consistent with, and to discharge its duties under, Section III of this Charter.
The Chair, any member of the Committee, the Auditor, the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Financial Officer may call a meeting by notifying the Company's Secretary who shall notify the members of the Committee.
The Auditor shall be given reasonable notice of, and be entitled to attend and speak at, each meeting of the Committee concerning the Company's annual financial statements and, if the Committee feels it is necessary or appropriate, at every other meeting. On request by the Auditor, the Chair shall call a meeting of the Committee to consider any matter that the Auditor believes should be brought to the attention of the Committee, the Board or the shareholders of the Company.
At each meeting, a quorum shall consist of a majority of members comprising the Committee.
As part of its goal to foster open communication, the Committee may periodically meet separately with each of management and the Auditor to discuss any matters that the Committee believes would be appropriate to discuss privately.
The Committee may invite to its meetings any director, any manager of the Company, and any other person whom it deems appropriate to consult in order to carry out its responsibilities. The Committee may also exclude from its meetings any person it deems appropriate to exclude in order to carry out its responsibilities. Further, the Committee may hold unscheduled or scheduled meetings at which only members who are independent directors are present.
III. DUTIES
A. Introduction
The following functions shall be the common recurring duties of the Committee in carrying out its purposes outlined in Section I of this Charter. These duties should serve as a guide with the understanding that the Committee may fulfill additional duties and adopt additional policies and procedures as may be appropriate in light of changing business, legislative, regulatory or other conditions. The Committee shall also carry out any other responsibilities and duties delegated to it by the Board from time to time related to the purposes of the Committee outlined in Section I of this Charter.
The Committee, in discharging its oversight role, is empowered to study or investigate any matter of interest or concern which the Committee in its sole discretion deems appropriate for study or investigation by the Committee.
The Committee shall be given full access to the Company's internal accounting staff, books and records, managers, other staff and Auditor as necessary to carry out these duties. While acting within the scope of its stated purpose, the Committee shall have all the authority of, but shall remain subject to, the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of the Auditor and any other registered public accounting firm engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company.
The Company must provide appropriate funding, as determined by the Committee, for payment of (i) compensation to the Auditor or any registered public accounting firm engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company, (ii) compensation to any independent counsel or other advisors employed by the Committee, and (iii) ordinary administrative expenses of the Committee that are necessary or appropriate in carrying out the Committee's duties.
B. Powers and Responsibilities
The Committee will have the following responsibilities and, in order to perform and discharge these responsibilities, will be vested with the powers and authorities set forth below, namely, the Committee shall:
Independence of Auditor
(a) Actively engage in a dialogue with the Auditor with respect to any disclosed relationships or services that may impact the objectivity and independence of the Auditor and, obtain a formal written statement from the Auditor setting forth all relationships between the Auditor and the Company.
(b) Take, or recommend that the Board take, appropriate action to oversee the independence of the Auditor.
(c) Require the Auditor and any other registered public accounting firm engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company to report directly to the Committee.
(d) Review and approve the Company's hiring policies regarding partners, employees and former partners and employees of the Auditor and former independent external auditor of the Company.
Performance & Completion by Auditor of its Work
5. Be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of the Auditor and any other registered public accounting firm engaged (including resolution of disagreements between management and the Auditor or such public accounting firm regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company.
6. Review annually the performance of the Auditor and recommend to the Board either (i) to appoint a new Auditor or that the existing Auditor be re-elected.
7. Pre-approve all auditing services and permitted non-audit services (including the fees and terms thereof) to be performed for the Company by the Auditor; provided, however, that pre-approval of services other than audit, review or attest services is not required if such services:
(a) constitute, in the aggregate, no more than 5% of the total amount of revenues paid by the Company to the Auditor during the financial year in which the services are provided;
(b) were not recognized by the Company at the time of the engagement to be non- audit services; and
(c) are promptly brought to the attention of the Committee and approved prior to the completion of the audit by the Committee or by one or more members of the Committee to whom authority to grant such approvals has been delegated by the Committee.
Preparation of Financial Statements
8. Discuss with management and the Auditor significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the Company's financial statements, including any significant changes in the Company's selection or application of accounting principles, any major issues as to the adequacy of the Company's internal controls and any special steps adopted in light of material control deficiencies.
9. Discuss with management and the Auditor any correspondence with regulators or governmental agencies and any employee complaints or published reports which raise material issues regarding the Company's financial statements or accounting policies.
10. Discuss with management and the Auditor the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives as well as off-balance sheet structures on the Company's financial statements.
11. Discuss with management the Company's major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures, including the Company's risk assessment and risk management policies.
12. Discuss with the Auditor the matters required to be discussed relating to the conduct of any audit, in particular:
(a) The adoption of, or changes to, the Company's significant auditing and accounting principles and practices as suggested by the Auditor or management.
(b) Any difficulties encountered in the course of the audit work, including any restrictions on the scope of activities or access to requested information, and any significant disagreements with management.
(c) A review of the qualifications and performance of the lead engagement partner and ensure that such partner has not served in that capacity for more than five financial periods and that the engagement team has the experience and competence to perform an appropriate audit.
Public Disclosure by the Company
13. Review the Company's annual and quarterly financial statements, management discussion and analysis respecting earnings and provide the Committee's recommendation to the Board regarding this information.
14. Review the Company's financial reporting procedures and internal controls to be satisfied that adequate procedures are in place for the review of the Company's public disclosure of financial information extracted or derived from its financial statements, other than disclosure described in the previous paragraph, and periodically assessing the adequacy of those procedures.
15. Review any disclosures made to the Committee by the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer during their certification process of the Company's financial statements and public disclosure about any significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls or material weaknesses therein and any fraud involving management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company's internal controls.
Related Party Business Transactions
16. Review and approve related business party transactions if required under applicable AC Rules.
Manner of Carrying Out its Mandate
17. Consult, to the extent it deems necessary or appropriate, with the Auditor but without the presence of management, about the quality of the Company's accounting principles, internal controls and the completeness and accuracy of the Company's financial statements.
18. Request any officer or employee of the Company or the Company's outside counsel or Auditor to attend a meeting of the Committee or to meet with any members of, or consultants to, the Committee.
19. Have the authority, if it deems it necessary or appropriate, to engage independent legal counsel, and accounting or other advisers to advise the Committee.
20. Meet separately, if it deems it necessary or appropriate, with management and the Auditor.
21. Make periodic reports to the Board as is necessary or required.
22. Review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter annually and recommend any proposed changes to the Board for approval.
23. Annually review the Committee's own performance.
24. Provide an open avenue of communication between the Auditor and the Board.
25. Not delegate these responsibilities other than to one or more independent members of the Committee the authority to pre-approve, which the Committee must ratify at its next meeting, audit and permitted non-audit services to be provided by the Auditor.
26. Review the adequacy of the Company's internal accounting and disclosure systems and its financial auditing and accounting organization and systems.
C. Whistle-Blower Policy
The Committee shall establish and annually review the procedures for (i) the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters, and (ii) the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.
D. Limitation of Audit Committee's Role
While the Committee has the responsibilities and powers set forth in this Charter, it is not the duty of the Committee to plan or conduct audits or to determine that the Company's financial statements and disclosures are complete and accurate and are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and applicable rules and regulations. These are the responsibilities of management and the Auditor.
PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF CHARTER
This Charter will be included on the Company's website.
This Charter, as amended, was approved by the Committee on January 27, 2021 and the Board on January 27, 2021.
SCHEDULE B
AUDIT COMMITTEE MATTERS
Overview
The Audit Committee of the Board is principally responsible for
• recommending to the Board the external auditor to be nominated for election by the Company's shareholders at each annual general meeting and negotiating the compensation of such external auditor.
• overseeing the work of the external auditor.
• reviewing the Company's annual and interim financial statements, MD&A and press releases regarding earnings before they are reviewed and approved by the Board and publicly disseminated by the Company.
• reviewing the Company's financial reporting procedures and internal controls to ensure adequate procedures are in place for the Company's public disclosure of financial information extracted or derived from its financial statements, other than disclosure described in the previous paragraph.
Composition of the Audit Committee
The Audit Committee consists of three directors all of whom are independent and financially literate. In addition, the Company's governing corporate legislation requires the Company to have an Audit Committee composed of a minimum of three directors, all of whom are not officers or employees of the Company. The Audit Committee complies with these requirements.
The following table sets out the names of the members of the Audit Committee and whether they are 'independent' and 'financially literate'.
Name of Member | Independent (1) | Financially Literate (2) |
Brian E. Bayley | Yes | Yes |
Sunny Lowe | Yes | Yes |
Larry Okada, Chair | Yes | Yes |
(1) To be considered to be independent, a member of the Committee must not have any direct or indirect 'material relationship' with the Company. A material relationship is a relationship which could, in the view of the Board reasonably interfere with the exercise of a member's independent judgment.
(2) To be considered financially literate, a member of the Committee must have the ability to read and understand a set of financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of the issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Company's financial statements.
Relevant Education and Experience
The education and experience of each member of the Audit Committee relevant to the performance of his responsibilities as an Audit Committee member and, in particular, any education or experience that would provide the member with:
1. an understanding of the accounting principles used by the Company to prepare its financial statements;
2. the ability to assess the general application of such accounting principles in connection with the accounting for estimates, accruals and reserves;
3. experience preparing, auditing, analyzing or evaluating financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Company's financial statements, or experience actively supervising one or more persons engaged in such activities; and
4. an understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting, are as follows:
Name of Member | Education | Experience |
Brian E. Bayley | B.A. (Hon) - 1977 University of Victoria Victoria, BC M.B.A. - 1979 Queen's University Kingston, ON | Mr. Bayley is currently the Executive Chairman of Earlston Investments Corp., a private merchant bank. Mr. Bayley is also presently, and has over the course of the last 35 years, served as president, director or other senior officer positions of numerous public companies who prepare financial statements similar to those prepared by EMX Royalty Corp. and has experience actively supervising one or more persons engaged in the preparation of financial statements. |
Sunny Lowe | Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario and British Columbia - 2001 M.B.A and B.B.A Schulich School of Business, York University, ON 1999-2002 Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada International Taxation, 2008 - 2010 Harvard Business School, Boston, Massachusetts - 2012 | Ms. Lowe brings over 20 years of capital markets, finance, and international accounting, tax and risk management experience mostly spent in the Mining Sector. Ms. Lowe is a Chartered Professional Accountant and holds an MBA from the Schulich School of Business at York University. She is currently the Chief Financial Officer of Solaris Resources Inc. Ms. Lowe was with INV Metals as Chief Financial Officer, at Kinross Gold Corporation, first as Vice President, Internal Audit & Enterprise Risk Management, and at Inmet Mining where she held leadership roles. |
Name of Member | Education | Experience |
Larry Okada | Member of Institute of Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia - 1976 Member of Institute of Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta - 1976 Certified Public Accountant - Washington State - 2000 | Mr. Okada has been in public accounting practice with Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and his own firm for over 43 years. Majority of his clients have been public mining companies listed on the TSX-V. Mr. Okada is a director and Audit Committee Chair for Forum Uranium Corp (TSX-V: FDC), Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd (TSX: SCZ), and Pan Andean Minerals Ltd. (TSX: PAD). |
Complaints
The Audit Committee has established a "Whistleblower Policy" which outlines procedures for the confidential, anonymous submission by employees regarding the Company's accounting, auditing and financial reporting obligations, without fear of retaliation of any kind. If an applicable individual has any concerns about accounting, audit, internal controls or financial reporting matters which they consider to be questionable, incorrect, misleading or fraudulent, the applicable individual is urged to come forward with any such information, complaints or concerns, without regard to the position of the person or persons responsible for the subject matter of the relevant complaint or concern.
The applicable individual may report their concern in writing and forward it to the Chairman of the Audit Committee in a sealed envelope labelled "To be opened by the Chairman of the Audit Committee only." Further, if the applicable individual wishes to discuss any matter with the Audit Committee, this request should be indicated in the submission. Any such envelopes received by the Company will be forwarded promptly and unopened to the Chairman of the Audit Committee.
Promptly following the receipt of any complaints submitted to it, the Audit Committee will investigate each complaint and take appropriate corrective actions.
The Audit Committee will retain as part of its records, any complaints or concerns for a period of no less than seven years. The Audit Committee will keep a written record of all such reports or inquiries and make quarterly reports on any ongoing investigation which will include steps taken to satisfactorily address each complaint.
The "Whistleblower Policy" is reviewed by the Audit Committee on an annual basis.
Audit Committee Oversight
Since the commencement of the Company's most recently completed financial year, there has not been a recommendation of the Audit Committee to nominate or compensate an external auditor which was not adopted by the Board.
Reliance on Exemptions in NI 52-110
Since the commencement of the Company's most recently completed financial year, the Company has not relied on:
(a) the exemption in section 2.4 (De Minimis Non-audit Services) of NI 52-110 (which exempts all non-audit services provided by the Company's auditor from the requirement to be pre-approved by the audit committee if such services are less than 5% of the auditor's annual fees charged to the Company, are not recognized as non-audit services at the time of the engagement of the auditor to perform them and are subsequently approved by the audit committee prior to the completion of that year's audit);
(b) the exemption in section 3.5 (Death, Disability or Resignation of Audit Committee Member) of NI 52-110 (which exempts a replacement member of the Audit Committee from being independent until the later of the next annual general meeting of shareholders or the six month anniversary of the date on which the vacancy filled by the member was created, if the vacancy resulted from the death, disability or resignation of an audit committee member; or
(c) an exemption from NI 52-110, in whole or in part, granted by a securities regulator under Part 8 (Exemptions) of NI 52-110.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee has adopted specific policies and procedures for the engagement of non-audit services as described in section III.B "Powers and Responsibilities - Performance & Completion by Auditor of its Work" of the Charter.
External Auditor Service Fees (By Category)
The following table discloses the fees billed to the Company by its external auditor during the last two financial years.
Financial Year Ending | Audit Fees (1) (C$) | Audit Related Fees (2) (C$) | Tax Fees (3) (C$) | All Other Fees (4) (C$) |
December 31, 2021 | 230,000 | 78,500 | Nil | Nil |
December 31, 2020 | 230,000 | 35,000 | Nil | Nil |
(1) The aggregate fees billed by the Company's auditor for audit fees.
(2) The aggregate fees billed for assurance and related services by the Company's auditor that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company's financial statements and are not disclosed in the 'Audit Fees' column.
(3) The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the Company's auditor for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning. These services involved the preparation of the Company's corporate tax returns.
(4) The aggregate fees billed for professional services other than those listed in the other three columns.
Appendix A
List of Royalty Assets
LOCATION | PROPERTY | ROYALTY/PAYMENTS | COMMODITY GROUP | COMMODITY | OPERATOR | STATUS |
Argentina | Diablillos | 1.0% NSR | Precious Metals | Silver-Gold | AbraSilver Resources | Advanced Royalty |
M18/Aguas Perdidas | 1.0% NSR | Precious Metals | Silver | AbraSilver Resources | Exploration |
Australia, New South Wales | Koonenberry | 3% NSR & AAR payments (NQM) | Precious Metals | Gold | KNB & Rockwell | Exploration |
Australia, Queensland | Queensland Gold | 2.5% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold-Copper | Many Peaks Gold Pty Ltd | Exploration |
Canada, British Columbia | E&L Nickel Mountain | 1.0% NSR | Base Metals | Nickel-Copper | Garibaldi Resources | Exploration |
Hunter 1-12 | 2.5% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold | Cassair Gold | Exploration |
Pyramid | 1.0% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold | Norra Metals Corp | Exploration |
Canada, Manitoba | Tartan Lake | 2.0% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold | Satori Resources | Exploration |
Appendix A
LOCATION | PROPERTY | ROYALTY/PAYMENTS | COMMODITY GROUP | COMMODITY | OPERATOR | STATUS |
Canada, Ontario | Birch/Uchi multiple groups | 1.5% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold | Huntington Exploration | Exploration |
Bruce Lake | 1.5% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Portofino | Exploration |
Bruce Lake - Pakwash North | 1.5% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Goldon | Exploration |
Cameron Lake East | Other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Gold Hunter Resources | Exploration |
Cameron Lake West | Other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | NorthBound Capital | Exploration |
Camping Lake | 1.5% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Prime Meridian Resources | Exploration |
Confederation Lake | 1.5% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Trillium Gold | Exploration |
Dash Lake | 1.5% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Shafer Resources | Exploration |
Dent-Jackson | 1.5% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Cross River Ventures | Exploration |
Dixie Halo | 0.75% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | BTU Metals | Exploration |
Ears Falls | 1.5% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Cross River Ventures | Exploration |
Confederation North - Northern Vision | 1.5% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Infinite Ore Corp | Exploration |
Confederation South - Dixie Lake2 | 1.5% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Infinite Ore Corp | Exploration |
Confederation South - Dixie Lake 3 | 1.5% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Infinite Ore Corp | Exploration |
Fairchild Lake | 1.5% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Fairchild Gold | Exploration |
Jackson Manion | 1.5% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold | Huntington Exploration Inc | Exploration |
Kwai | 1.5% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Golden Goliath | Exploration |
Lang Lake | 1.5% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Cross River Ventures | Exploration |
Leo | 1.5% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Trillium Gold | Exploration |
Longlegged Lake | 1.5% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Silver Dollar Resources | Exploration |
Manitou Project | 1.5% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Cross River Ventures | Exploration |
Maskootch | 1.5% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Cross River Ventures | Exploration |
Maybrun Mine | Other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | NorthBound Capital | Exploration |
McDonough East | 1.5% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Musk Metals | Exploration |
McDonough/Pipestone | 1.5% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Goldon | Exploration |
McVicar Lake | 1.5% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Cross River Ventures | Exploration |
Mt. Jamie North Gold - Todd | 1.5% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Stone Gold | Exploration |
Nabish Lake | 3.0% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Heritage Mining | Exploration |
North Pakwash | 1.5% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Trillium Gold | Exploration |
Pakwash Lake | 1.5% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Silver Dollar Resources | Exploration |
Red Lake Gold 1 | 2.5% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold | Pacton Gold | Exploration |
Red Lake Gold - Gullrock Lake | 0.25% to 2.25% & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Pacton Gold | Exploration |
Red Lake Gold - Duchess | 0.25% to 2.25% & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Pacton Gold | Exploration |
Red Lake Gold - Red Lake | 0.25% to 2.25% & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Pacton Gold | Exploration |
Red Lake Gold - Tilly | 0.25% to 2.25% & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Pacton Gold | Exploration |
Sandy Pines/Fly Lake/Joy | 1.5% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Pistol Bay | Exploration |
Shabu - Cross River | 1.5% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Cross River Ventures | Exploration |
Shabu - Mastadon - Taura Gold | 1.5% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold | Mastadon | Exploration |
South of Otter | 1.5% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Portofino | Exploration |
Swain Lake | 1.5% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold | Pacton Gold | Exploration |
West Madsen (B) | Other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Great Bear | Exploration |
Canada, Quebec | Fernet | 1.0% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | QCX Gold Corp | Exploration |
Portage River | 1.5% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Frontline Gold | Exploration |
Chile | Arrieros | 1.0% NSR | Base Metals | Copper-Molybdenum-Gold | Pampa Metals Corp | Exploration |
Block 2 | 1.0% NSR | Base Metals | Copper-Molybdenum | Pampa Metals Corp | Exploration |
Block 3 | 1.0% NSR | Base Metals | Copper-Molybdenum | Pampa Metals Corp | Exploration |
Block 4 | 1.0% NSR | Base Metals | Copper-Molybdenum | Pampa Metals Corp | Exploration |
Caserones | 0.418% NSR | Base Metals | Copper-Molybdenum | JX Nippon | Producing Royalty |
Cerro Blanco | 1.0% NSR | Base Metals | Copper-Molybdenum-Gold | Pampa Metals Corp | Exploration |
Cerro Buenos Aires | 1.0% NSR | Base Metals | Copper-Molybdenum-Gold-Silver | Pampa Metals Corp | Exploration |
Challacollo | 2.0% NSR | Precious Metals | Silver-Gold | Aftermath Silver | Advanced Royalty |
Juncal and La Flora | 1.0% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold | Austral Gold | Exploration |
Kolla Kananchiari - Bronce Weste | 1% NSR precious metals, 0.5% NSR base metals | Precious Metals | Gold-Copper-Silver | Masglas America Corporation | Exploration |
Las Animas | 1.5% NSR | Base Metals | Copper-Gold | Atacama Copper Exploration Ltd | Exploration |
Limbo | 1.0% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold-Silver | Austral Gold Ltd | Exploration |
Magallanes | 1.0% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold-Silver | Austral Gold Ltd | Exploration |
Morros Blancos | 1.0% NSR | Base Metals | Copper-Gold-Molybdenum | Pampa Metals Corp | Exploration |
Redono-Veronica | 1.0% NSR | Base Metals | Copper-Molybdenum | Pampa Metals Corp | Exploration |
Reprado | 1.0% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold-Silver | Austral Gold Ltd | Exploration |
San Guillermo | 0.5% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold-Silver | Austral Gold Ltd | Exploration |
San Valentino | 1.0% NSR | Base Metals | Copper-Gold-Molybdenum | Atacama Copper Exploration Ltd | Exploration |
T4 | 1.5% NSR | Base Metals | Copper-Gold | Atacama Copper Exploration Ltd | Exploration |
Victoria Norte | 2.0% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold-Silver / Copper-Molybdenum | Hochschild Mining PLC | Exploration |
Victoria Sur | 1.0% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold-Silver-Copper | Pampa Metals Corp | Exploration |
Finland | Kaukua | 2% NSR | Base Metals | PGE-Nickel-Copper-Gold | Palladium One | Advanced Royalty |
Kuusamo | 3% NSR & other payments | Base Metals | PGE-Nickel-Copper-Gold | Sienna Resources Inc | Exploration |
Oijarvi | 1%/3% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold-Silver | Gold Line Resources | Exploration |
Appendix A
LOCATION | PROPERTY | ROYALTY/PAYMENTS | COMMODITY GROUP | COMMODITY | OPERATOR | STATUS |
Haiti | Grand Bois | 0.5% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold-Copper | Sono Global Holdings | Exploration |
Grand Bois & Surrounding Properties | 0.5% NSR | Base Metals | Copper-Gold | Newmont Ventures Ltd | Exploration |
La Miel | 0.5% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold-Copper | Newmont Ventures Ltd | Exploration |
La Mine | 0.5% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold-Copper | Newmont Ventures Ltd | Exploration |
North Central | 0.5% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold-Copper | Newmont Ventures Ltd | Exploration |
Northeast | 0.5% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold-Copper | Newmont Ventures Ltd | Exploration |
Northwest | 0.5% NSR | Base Metals | Copper-Gold | Newmont Ventures Ltd | Exploration |
Mexico, Durango | El Mogote | 2.0% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold-Silver | Industrias Peñoles | Exploration |
Mexico, Durango | San Agustin Sulfides | 2.0% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold | Argonaut Gold | Exploration |
Mexico, Sinaloa | San Marcial | 0.75% NSR | Precious Metals | Silver-Gold-Zinc-Lead | GR Silver | Exploration |
Norway | Bamble | 2.5% NSR & other payments | Base Metals | Nickel-Copper-Cobalt-PGE | Martin Laboratories EMG Ltd | Exploration |
Bleikvassli | 3% NSR & other payments | Base Metals | Zinc-Lead-Copper | Norra Metals Corp | Exploration |
Bleka | 3% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Sienna Resources Inc | Exploration |
Brattasen | 2.5% NSR & other payments | Base Metals | Nickel-Copper-Cobalt-PGE | Martin Laboratories EMG Ltd | Exploration |
Burfjord | 3% NSR & other payments | Base Metals | Copper-Gold | Norden Crown Metals Corp | Exploration |
Espedalen | 3% NSR & other payments | Base Metals | Nickel-Copper-Cobalt | Kendric Resources | Exploration |
Flat | 2.5% NSR & other payments | Base Metals | Nickel-Copper-Cobalt-PGE | Martin Laboratories EMG Ltd | Exploration |
Hosanger | 3% NSR & other payments | Base Metals | Nickel-Copper-Cobalt | Kendric Resources | Exploration |
Kjoli | 2.5% NSR & other payments | Base Metals | Copper-Zinc-Lead | Capella Minerals Ltd | Exploration |
Lokken | 2.5% NSR & other payments | Base Metals | Copper-Zinc-Lead | Capella Minerals Ltd | Exploration |
Meraker | 3% NSR & other payments | Base Metals | Copper-Zinc-Gold | Norra Metals Corp | Exploration |
Mo-i-Rana | 2.5% NSR, AAR's & equity interest | Base Metals | Copper-Lead-Zinc-Gold | Mahive Minerals AB | Exploration |
Rostvangen | 3% NSR & other payments | Base Metals | Nickel-Copper-Cobalt | Playfair Mining Ltd | Exploration |
Sigdal | 3% NSR & other payments | Base Metals | Nickel-Copper-Cobalt | Kendric Resources | Exploration |
Vakkerlien | 3% NSR & other payments | Base Metals | Nickel-Copper-Cobalt | Playfair Mining Ltd | Exploration |
Vekselmyr | 3% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Sienna Resources Inc | Exploration |
Peru | Berenguela | 1.0% - 1.25% NSR | Base Metals | Copper-Silver-Manganese-Zinc | Aftermath Silver | Advanced Royalty |
Serbia | Jasikovo East - Durlan Potok | 0.5% NSRS1 | Base Metals | Copper-Gold | Zijin Mining | Exploration |
Timok - (Brestovac West license) | 2.0% NSR on Au and Ag, 1% NSR other metals | Precious Metals | Gold | Zijin Mining | Exploration |
Timok - Cukaru Peki | 0.5% NSRS1 | Base Metals | Copper-Gold | Zijin Mining | Producing Royalty |
Appendix A
LOCATION | PROPERTY | ROYALTY/PAYMENTS | COMMODITY GROUP | COMMODITY | OPERATOR | STATUS |
Sweden | Blabarliden | 3% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Gold Line Resources | Exploration |
Faboliden Norra | 2.5% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Capella Minerals Ltd | Exploration |
Fiskeltrask | 3% NSR & other payments | Base Metals | Nickel-Copper-Cobalt | Bayrock Resources Ltd | Exploration |
Gumsberg | 3% NSR & other payments | Base Metals | Zinc-Lead-Silver | Norden Crown Metals Corp | Exploration |
Kankberg Norra | 3% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Gold Line Resources | Exploration |
Kattisavan | 3% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Gold Line Resources | Exploration |
Klippen | 1% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Gold Line Resources | Exploration |
Kukasjarvi | 3% NSR & other payments | Base Metals | Nickel-Copper-Cobalt | Bayrock Resources Ltd | Exploration |
Mjovattnet | 2.5% NSR & other payments | Base Metals | Nickel-Copper-Cobalt-PGE | Martin Laboratories EMG Ltd | Exploration |
Njuggtraskliden | 2.5% NSR & other payments | Base Metals | Nickel-Copper-Cobalt-PGE | Martin Laboratories EMG Ltd | Exploration |
Nottrask | 3% NSR & other payments | Base Metals | Nickel-Copper-Cobalt | Bayrock Resources Ltd | Exploration |
Paubacken | 3% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Gold Line Resources | Exploration |
Rotjarnen | 2.5% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Capella Minerals Ltd | Exploration |
Skogstrask | 3% NSR & other payments | Base Metals | Nickel-Copper-Cobalt | Bayrock Resources Ltd | Exploration |
Solvik | 2.5% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Gold Line Resources | Exploration |
Storjuktan | 3% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Gold Line Resources | Exploration |
Svardsjo | 2.5% NSR & other payments | Base Metals | Copper-Zinc-Lead-Silver-Gold | District Metals | Exploration |
Tomtebo | 2.5% NSR & other payments | Base Metals | Copper-Zinc-Lead-Silver-Gold | District Metals | Exploration |
Trollberget | 2.5% NSR & other payments | Base Metals | Copper-Zinc-Lead-Silver-Gold | District Metals | Exploration |
Viscaria | 1.0% NSR | Base Metals | Copper (Iron) | Copperstone Resources | Advanced Royalty |
Vuostok | 3% NSR & other payments | Base Metals | Nickel-Copper-Cobalt | Bayrock Resources Ltd | Exploration |
Turkey | Akarca | 1-3% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold-Silver | Çiftay | Advanced Royalty |
Alankoy | 2.5% NSR & other payments | Base Metals | Copper-Gold | Kar Mineral Madencilik | Exploration |
Balya | 4% NSR & other payments | Base Metals | Zinc-Lead-Silver | Esan | Producing Royalty |
Gediktepe Oxide / Sulfide | 10.0% NSR Oxide / 2.0% NSR Sulfide | Precious Metals | Gold-Silver / Copper-Zinc-Gold-Silver | Lidya Madencilik | Producing Royalty |
Sisorta | 3.5-5% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold (Copper) | Bahar Madencilik | Advanced Royalty |
Yenipazar | 6.0% - 10.0% NPI | Precious Metals | Gold-Silver-Zinc-Copper-Lead | Virtus Mining/Trafigura | Advanced Royalty |
USA, Alaska | 64 North - Goodpaster - West Pogo | 0.5 - 1.5% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold | Millrock Resources | Exploration |
64 North - Goodpaster - South Pogo | 0.5 - 1.5% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold | Millrock Resources | Exploration |
64 North - Goodpaster - Shaw | 0.5 - 1.5% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold | Millrock Resources | Exploration |
64 North - Goodpaster - Eagle | 0.5 - 1.5% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold | Millrock Resources | Exploration |
64 North - Goodpaster - LMS | 0.5 - 1.5% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold | Millrock Resources | Exploration |
64 North - Goodpaster - Last Chance | 0.5 - 1.5% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold | Millrock Resources | Exploration |
64 North - Goodpaster - East Pogo | 0.5 - 1.5% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold | Millrock Resources | Exploration |
64 North - Goodpaster - Divide | 0.5 - 1.5% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold | Millrock Resources | Exploration |
64 North - Goodpaster - Chisna | 0.5 - 1.5% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold | Millrock Resources | Exploration |
USA, Arizona | Copper King | 2.0% NSR, AMR & Milestone Payments | Base Metals | Copper | Kennecott Exploration Co | Exploration |
Copper Springs | 2% production and other payments | Base Metals | Copper | South32 | Exploration |
Hardshell Skarn | 2.0% NSR & AMR Payments | Base Metals | Copper-Lead-Zinc-Silver | South32 | Exploration |
Jasper Canyon | 2% production and other payments | Base Metals | Copper | South32 | Exploration |
Malone | 2% production and other payments | Base Metals | Copper | South32 | Exploration |
Parks Salyer - Sacaton | 1.5% NSR & other payments | Base Metals | Copper | Arizona Sonoran Copper | Exploration |
Red Top | 2.5% NSR/AMR & Milestone Payments | Base Metals | Copper | Zacapa Resources | Exploration |
Superior West | 2% NSR, AMR & Milestone Payments | Base Metals | Copper | Kennecott Exploration Co | Exploration |
Appendix A
LOCATION | PROPERTY | ROYALTY/PAYMENTS | COMMODITY GROUP | COMMODITY | OPERATOR | STATUS |
USA, Idaho | Erickson Ridge | 3.5% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Gold Lion Resources | Exploration |
Lehman Butte | 4% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Hochschild Mining PLC | Exploration |
Miller Mountain | 3.5% NSR/AMR & Milestone Payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Zacapa Resources | Exploration |
Robber Gulch | 3.25% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Ridgeline Exploration Corp | Exploration |
South Orogrande | 3.5% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Gold Lion Resources | Exploration |
Timber Butte | 4% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Hochschild Mining PLC | Exploration |
Valve House | 4% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Hochschild Mining PLC | Exploration |
USA, Nevada | Brooks | 4% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold | Nevada Gold Mines | Exploration |
Cathedral Well | 2.5% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold | Ely Gold Royalties | Exploration |
Gold Bar South - Afgan | 1% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold | McEwen Mining Inc | Advanced Royalty |
Leeville | 1% GSR | Precious Metals | Gold | Nevada Gold Mines | Producing Royalty |
Maggie Creek | 2% NSR on precious metals; 1% NSR on other metals | Precious Metals | Gold | Renaissance Gold Inc | Exploration |
Maggie Creek South | 3% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold | Nevada Gold Mines | Exploration |
NP Placers | > Of 50 cents/yd3 or 4% NSR & AAR Payments | Precious Metals | Gold | New Gold Recovery | Exploration |
Selena | 3.25% production, AMR & Milestone Payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Ridgeline Minerals | Exploration |
Silver Peak | 1.5% NSR | Precious Metals | Silver-Gold | Millennium Silver Corp | Exploration |
Speed Goat | 4% NSR & other payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Hochschild Mining PLC | Exploration |
Swift | 3.25% production, AMR & Milestone Payments | Precious Metals | Gold | Ridgeline Minerals | Exploration |
Yerington West-Roulette | 20% carried to feasibility or 2.5% NSR | Base Metals | Copper | Hudbay Minerals | Exploration |
USA, Oregon | Golden Ibex | 1% NSR | Precious Metals | Gold | Golden Ibex | Exploration |
USA, Utah | Copper Warrior | 2.0% NSR | Base Metals | Copper | Warrior Metals Inc | Exploration |
Ophir | 2.0% NSR | Base Metals | Copper | Kennecott Exploration Co | Exploration |
Qualified Person
Michael P. Sheehan, CPG, a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and employee of the Company, has reviewed, verified, and approved the list of EMX royalty assets.
Summary of Mineral Reserves for Royalty Assets March 2022
The following Mineral Reserves have been estimated in accordance with CIM guidelines or acceptable foreign codes, including the JORC Code and the PERC Code. Contained metal does not account for recovery losses. The current Mineral Reserves in the following tables represent the most recent publicly disclosed figures by the operators of the royalty assets in which EMX has an interest. Rows and columns may not add up due to rounding. Please refer to 'Notes' for additional information on each asset.
GOLD |
| | Proven (P) | Probable (P) | P+P |
Current Reserves | Notes | Tonnes (Kt) | Au (g/t) | Au (Koz) | Tonnes (Kt) | Au (g/t) | Au (Koz) | Au (Koz) |
Timok UZ | 1 | | | | 27,121 | 2.06 | 1,792 | 1,792 |
Leeville | 2 | Not available | Not available |
Gold Bar South | 3 | | | | 1,900 | 1.05 | 66 | 66 |
| | | | | | | | |
SILVER | | | | | | | | |
| | Proven (P) | Probable (P) | P+P |
Current Reserves | Notes | Tonnes (Kt) | Ag (g/t) | Ag (Koz) | Tonnes (Kt) | Ag (g/t) | Ag (Koz) | Ag (Koz) |
Balya | 4 | Not available | Not available |
| | | | | | | | |
COPPER | | | | | | | | |
| | Proven (P) | Probable (P) | P+P |
Current Reserves | Notes | Tonnes (Kt) | Cu % | Cu (Kt) | Tonnes (Kt) | Cu % | Cu (Kt) | Cu (Kt) |
Timok UZ | 1 | | | | 27,121 | 3.25 | 882 | 882 |
| | | | | | | | |
ZINC | | | | | | | | |
| | Proven (P) | Probable (P) | P+P |
Current Reserves | Notes | Tonnes (Kt) | Zn % | Zn (Kt) | Tonnes (Kt) | Zn % | Zn (Kt) | Zn (Kt) |
Balya | 4 | Not available | Not available |
| | | | | | | | |
LEAD | | | | | | | | |
| | Proven (P) | Probable (P) | P+P |
Current Reserves | Notes | Tonnes (Kt) | Pb % | Pb (Kt) | Tonnes (Kt) | Pb % | Pb (Kt) | Pb (Kt) |
Balya | 4 | Not available | Not available |
1. Timok is considered by EMX to be a material property. Concurrent with this AIF, EMX has filed an Amended and Restated Technical Report by Mineral Resource Management LLC dated March 25, 2022 titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report - Timok Copper-Gold Project Royalty, Serbia" which has an effective date of December 31, 2020. The Technical Report restates, as required by NI 43-101, the Mineral Reserve estimate reported by Zijin for Timok Project's Upper Zone Mineral Reserve estimate as reported in Zijin's 2020 Annual Report issued on April 28, 2021. That estimate is materially the same as originally stated by previous operator and former reporting issuer, Nevsun Resources Ltd., in its Technical Report dated August 7, 2018 titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report - Timok Copper-Gold Project, Serbia: Upper Zone Prefeasibility Study and Resource Estimate for the Lower Zone" which has an effective date of June 19, 2018 and filed on SEDAR. The Mineral Reserve estimate reported by Zijin has been conformed to the requirements of NI 43-101.
Contained metal as thousands of metric tonnes calculated by EMX's Qualified Person under NI 43-101.
2. Leeville reserve estimates are not available from operator Nevada Gold Mines LLC.
3. Gold Bar South reserve estimate accessed from McEwen Mining Inc.'s web site on March 20, 2022 https://www.mcewenmining.com/operations/reserves-and-resources/default.aspx and referenced from McEwen's Technical Report dated February 22, 2021 titled "Gold Bar Project Form 43-101F1 Technical Report Feasibility Study Eureka County, Nevada" which has an effective date of January 7, 2021 and been filed on SEDAR.
4. Balya in-house reserve estimate by private Turkish company Esan Eczacibaşi Endüstriyel Hammaddeler San. ve Tic. A.Ş. does not meet NI 43-101 disclosure requirements.
Summary of Historical Mineral Reserves for Royalty Assets March 2022
The historical Mineral Reserves summarized in the following tables are relevant in that they provide context for the quantities and grades of mineralization as currently known to EMX. The historical Mineral Reserves are reliable for providing this context. There are no more recent estimates or data available to EMX, unless otherwise noted. A Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as current Mineral Reserves and EMX is not treating the historical estimates as current Mineral Reserves. Compilation, review, and verification of geological, engineering, metallurgical, and other relevant data, as well as independent field assessment and sampling will be needed to establish the historical estimates as current Mineral Reserves.
Contained metal does not account for recovery losses. The historical Mineral Reserves reflect the most recent publicly disclosed figures for the royalty assets in which EMX has an interest. Rows and columns may not add up due to rounding. Unless otherwise noted, the historical estimates use reserve categories of proven and probable as set out in section 1.3 of NI 43-101. Please refer to 'Notes' for additional information on each asset.
GOLD | | | | |
| | Proven (P) | Probable (P) | P+P |
Historical Reserves | Notes | Tonnes (Kt) | Au g/t | Au (Koz) | Tonnes (Kt) | Au g/t | Au (Koz) | Au (Koz) |
Gediktepe (oxide) | 1 | | | | 2,755 | 2.34 | 207 | 207 |
Gediktepe (sulfide) | 1 | 3,620 | 0.68 | 79 | 14,960 | 0.89 | 429 | 509 |
Yenipazar | 2 | | | | 29,170 | 0.88 | 825 | 825 |
| | | | | | | | |
SILVER | | | | | | | | |
| | Proven (P) | Probable (P) | P+P |
Historical Reserves | Notes | Tonnes (Kt) | Ag g/t | Ag (Koz) | Tonnes (Kt) | Ag g/t | Ag (Koz) | Ag (Koz) |
Gediktepe (oxide) | 1 | | | | 2,755 | 56.7 | 5,020 | 5,020 |
Gediktepe (sulfide) | 1 | 3,620 | 26.7 | 3,105 | 14,960 | 33.1 | 15,903 | 19,008 |
Yenipazar | 2 | | | | 29,170 | 29.4 | 27,572 | 27,572 |
| | | | | | | | |
COPPER & MOLYBDENUM |
|
Historical Reserves* | Notes | Tonnes (Kt) | Cu Total % | Cu (Kt) | Mo % | Mo (Kt) | | |
Caserones (Minerals to Dump Leach) | 3 | 288,000 | 0.24 | 691 | | | | |
Caserones (Minerals to Concentrator (Sulfides)) | 3 | 604,000 | 0.37 | 2,235 | 0.0139 | 84 | | |
*Historical reserves not reported as Proven and Probable per section 1.3 of NI 43-101. See Note 3.
COPPER | | | | | | | | |
| | Proven (P) | Probable (P) | P+P |
Historical Reserves | Notes | Tonnes Kt | Cu % | Cu Kt | Tonnes (Kt) | Cu % | Cu (Kt) | Cu (Kt) |
Gediktepe (sulfide) | 1 | 3,620 | 1.03 | 37 | 14,960 | 0.89 | 133 | 170 |
Yenipazar | 2 | | | | 29,170 | 0.30 | 88 | 88 |
| | | | | | | | |
ZINC | | | | | | | | |
| | Proven (P) | Probable (P) | P+P |
Historical Reserves | Notes | Tonnes (Kt) | Zn % | Zn (Kt) | Tonnes (Kt) | Zn % | Zn (Kt) | Zn (Kt) |
Gediktepe (sulfide) | 1 | 3,620 | 1.93 | 70 | 14,960 | 1.99 | 298 | 368 |
Yenipazar | 2 | | | | 29,170 | 1.40 | 408 | 408 |
| | | | | | | | |
LEAD | | | | | | | | |
| | Proven (P) | Probable (P) | P+P |
Historical Reserves | Notes | Tonnes (Kt) | Pb % | Pb (Kt) | Tonnes (Kt) | Pb % | Pb (Kt) | Pb (Kt) |
Yenipazar | 2 | | | | 29,170 | 0.95 | 277 | 277 |
1. Gediktepe is considered by EMX to be a material property. Concurrent with this AIF, EMX filed a Technical Report dated March 21, 2022 by DAMA Engineering Inc. titled "Gediktepe Project - Balıkesir Province, Turkey NI 43-101 Royalty Technical Report" which has an effective date of February 1, 2022. The Technical Report restates the Gediktepe historical reserve estimates referenced from Technical Report dated April 3, 2019 and filed on SEDAR by Alacer Gold Corp. (formerly a reporting issuer in Canada) titled "Gediktepe 2019 Prefeasibility Study" which has an effective date of March 26, 2019. Basic assumptions for the historical reserve estimate include: (a) reported using NSR based on metal prices of $1,300/oz Au, $18.5/oz Ag, $3.30/lb Cu, and $1.28/lb Zn, metal recoveries according to mineralization type, smelter terms for treatment and refining charges and transport including ocean freight for sulfide concentrates, (b) cut-offs applied were oxide $20.67/t and sulfide $17.74/t, (c) enriched mineralization with a Cu/Zn grade ratio < 0.75 considered as waste, and (d) includes mining losses and grade dilution not reported in the historical resource. The historical estimate should not be relied on until verified by a Qualified Person.
2. Yenipazar historical reserve estimate referenced from Technical Report dated May 23, 2014 filed on SEDAR by Aldridge Minerals Inc. (formerly a reporting issuer in Canada) titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Yenipazar Optimization Study, Yozgat Province, Turkey" which has an effective date of April 15, 2014. Aldridge is now a privately held Turkish subsidiary of British Virgin Islands domiciled Virtus Mining Ltd. Basic assumptions for the historical reserve estimate include: (a) open pit optimisation based upon the Lerchs-Grossman algorithm in CAE NPV Scheduler, (b) applied to resource blocks using mining, processing and G&A costs, pit slope criteria, and NSR block values, (c) Inferred resources considered as waste, (d) optimised open-pit shell used as basis for pit design, (e) estimated in-pit tonnage contained within the operational pit that meets or exceeds the cut-off criteria and subsequently applied the ore criteria (mining losses and dilution) to that tonnage, (f) NSR cutoffs of US $17/t for oxide and US $20/t for copper enriched and sulphide mineralization. The historical estimate should not be relied on until verified by a Qualified Person.
Virtus' in-house Yenipazar 2019 Optimization Study Update Report (July 30, 2019) was based upon the historical estimates from Aldridge's 2014 Technical Report. There were no changes to the reported historical reserves. The Virtus report does not meet NI 43-101 disclosure requirements.
Contained metal as thousands of troy ounces and thousands of metric tonnes calculated by EMX's Qualified Person under NI 43-101.
3. Caserones is considered by EMX to be a material property. EMX filed a Technical Report dated March 1, 2022 titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report - Caserones Copper-Molybdenum Mine Royalty Region III, Chile" which has an effective date of February 28, 2022 and was prepared by independent Qualified Person Gregory Walker, RM SME. The Technical Report restates the Caserones historical reserve estimate reported by JX Nippon Mining and Metals in its 2020 Annual Report dated May 31, 2021. The historical reserve uses categories other than the ones set out in section 1.3 of NI 43-101. This includes reporting "reserves" as "Minerals to Concentrator (Sulfides)" material in terms of tonnes, total copper (CuT %), and molybdenum (Mo ppm) and "Minerals to Dump Leach (Leachables)" material in terms of tonnes and total copper (CuT %), which are processed via conventional concentrator plant or leaching SX-EW leaching, respectively. The tonnes and grades of the "reserves" material are consistent with JX Nippon's forecast production over the projected life of mine (i.e., 17 years at year-end 2020). EMX's Qualified Person under NI 43-101 considers that the total material reported for each material type is equivalent to combined Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves. In its 2020 Annual Report, JX Nippon does not provide the detailed assumptions for the estimation of its reported "reserves" but does state
'Ore reserves are estimates of the amount of ore that can be economically and legally extracted from the Company's mining properties'.
JX Nippon also states
'The Company estimates its ore reserves and mineral resources based on information compiled by appropriately qualified persons relating to the geological data on the size, depth, and shape of the ore body, and require complex geological judgments to interpret the data. The estimation of recoverable reserves is based upon factors such as estimates of foreign exchange rates, commodity prices, future capital requirements, and production costs along with geological assumptions and judgments made in estimating the size and grade of the ore body.'
JX Nippon also reports "CuS %" for the "Minerals to Concentrator (Sulfides)" material and "Minerals to Dump Leach (Leachables)" material as described in EMX's March 1, 2022 Technical Report and in this AIF.
The historical estimate should not be relied on until verified by a Qualified Person.
Contained metal as thousands of metric tonnes calculated by EMX's Qualified Person under NI 43-101.
Summary of Mineral Resources for Royalty Assets March 2022
The following Mineral Resources have been estimated in accordance with CIM guidelines or acceptable foreign codes, including the JORC Code and PERC Code. Mineral Resources which are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Unless otherwise noted, Mineral Resources were reported by the operator inclusive of Mineral Reserves. Contained metal does not take into account recovery losses. The Mineral Resources in the following tables represent the most recent publicly disclosed figures by the operators of the royalty assets in which EMX has an interest. Please refer to 'Notes' for additional information on each asset.
GOLD | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Measured (M) | Indicated (I) | M+I | Inferred |
Current Resources | Notes | Tonnes (Kt) | Au (g/t) | Au (Koz) | Tonnes (Kt) | Au (g/t) | Au (Koz) | Au (Koz) | Tonnes (Kt) | Au (g/t) | Au (Koz) |
Timok UZ | 1 | 2,200 | 5.7 | 400 | 26,600 | 2.1 | 1,800 | 2,200 | 13,900 | 0.90 | 420 |
Timok LZ | 1 | | | | | | | | 1,659,000 | 0.18 | 9,600 |
Leeville | 2 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
Gold Bar South | 3 | | | | 2,300 | 0.99 | 74 | 74 | 300 | 1.06 | 11 |
Diablillos | 4 | 8,235 | 0.98 | 259 | 32,958 | 0.70 | 744 | 1,002 | 2,884 | 0.70 | 66 |
Kaukua | 5 | | | | 10,985 | 0.09 | 32 | 32 | 10,875 | 0.08 | 28 |
Viscaria (tailings)* | 6 | 12,544 | 0.06 | 24.2 | 164 | 0.05 | 0.3 | 24.5 | | | |
Akarca | 7 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
Sisorta | 8 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
SILVER | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Measured (M) | Indicated (I) | M+I | Inferred |
Current Resources | Notes | Tonnes (Kt) | Ag (g/t) | Ag (Koz) | Tonnes (Kt) | Ag (g/t) | Ag (Koz) | Ag (Koz) | Tonnes (Kt) | Ag (g/t) | Ag (Koz) |
Diablillos | 4 | 8,235 | 124 | 32,701 | 32,958 | 54 | 57,464 | 90,165 | 2,884 | 34 | 3,181 |
Viscaria (tailings)* | 6 | 12,544 | 0.88 | 355 | 164 | 0.45 | 2 | 357 | | | |
Akarca | 7 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
Balya | 9 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
COPPER | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Measured (M) | Indicated (I) | M+I | Inferred |
Current Resources | Notes | Tonnes (Kt) | Cu % | Cu (Kt) | Tonnes (Kt) | Cu % | Cu (Kt) | Cu (Kt) | Tonnes (Kt) | Cu % | Cu (Kt) |
Timok UZ | 1 | 2,200 | 8.6 | 190 | 26,600 | 3.3 | 870 | 1,050 | 13,900 | 1.60 | 230 |
Timok LZ | 1 | | | | | | | | 1,659,000 | 0.86 | 14,300 |
Viscaria (A, B, & D) | 6 | 14,560 | 1.70 | 242 | 20,520 | 1.16 | 240 | 482 | 22,190 | 0.90 | 194 |
Viscaria (tailings)* | 6 | 12,544 | 0.27 | 34 | 164 | 0.17 | 0.3 | 34 | | | |
Kaukua | 5 | | | | 10,985 | 0.15 | 16.5 | 16.5 | 10,875 | 0.13 | 14.1 |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
ZINC | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Measured (M) | Indicated (I) | M+I | Inferred |
Current Resources | Notes | Tonnes (Kt) | Zn % | Zn (Kt) | Tonnes (Kt) | Zn % | Zn (Kt) | Zn (Kt) | Tonnes (Kt) | Zn % | Zn (Kt) |
Viscaria (tailings)* | 6 | 12,544 | 0.24 | 30 | 164 | 0.19 | 0.3 | 31 | | | |
Balya | 9 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
LEAD | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Measured (M) | Indicated (I) | M+I | Inferred |
Current Resources | Notes | Tonnes (Kt) | Pb % | Pb (Kt) | Tonnes (Kt) | Pb % | Pb (Kt) | Pb (Kt) | Tonnes (Kt) | Pb % | Pb (Kt) |
Balya | 9 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
IRON | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Measured (M) | Indicated (I) | M+I | Inferred |
Current Resources | Notes | Tonnes (Kt) | Fe % | Fe (Kt) | Tonnes (Kt) | Fe % | Fe (Kt) | Fe (Kt) | Tonnes (Kt) | Fe % | Fe (Kt) |
Viscaria (A, B, & D) | 6 | | | | 11,710 | 28.4 | 3,321 | 3,321 | 4,300 | 30.2 | 1,298 |
*Approximately 33% of the Viscaria (tailings) Mineral Resources are covered by EMX's royalty. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
COBALT | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Measured (M) | Indicated (I) | M+I | Inferred |
Current Resources | Notes | Tonnes (Kt) | Co ppm | Co (Kt) | Tonnes (Kt) | Co ppm | Co (Kt) | Co (Kt) | Tonnes (Kt) | Co ppm | Co (Kt) |
Viscaria (tailings)* | 6 | 12,544 | 145 | 1.82 | 164 | 146.0 | 0.02 | 1.84 | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
PALLADIUM | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Measured (M) | Indicated (I) | M+I | Inferred |
Current Resources | Notes | Tonnes (Kt) | Pd g/t | Pd Koz | Tonnes (Kt) | Pd g/t | Pd Koz | Pd Koz | Tonnes (Kt) | Pd g/t | Pd Koz |
Kaukua | 5 | | | | 10,985 | 0.81 | 286 | 286 | 10,875 | 0.64 | 224 |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
PLATINUM | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Measured (M) | Indicated (I) | M+I | Inferred |
Current Resources | Notes | Tonnes (Kt) | Pt g/t | Pt Koz | Tonnes (Kt) | Pt g/t | Pt Koz | Pt Koz | Tonnes (Kt) | Pt g/t | Pt Koz |
Kaukua | 5 | | | | 10,985 | 0.27 | 95 | 95 | 10,875 | 0.20 | 70 |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
NICKEL | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Measured (M) | Indicated (I) | M+I | Inferred |
Current Resources | Notes | Tonnes (Kt) | Ni% | Ni (Kt) | Tonnes (Kt) | Ni % | Ni (Kt) | Ni Koz | Tonnes (Kt) | Ni % | Ni (Kt) |
Kaukua | 5 | | | | 10,985 | 0.09 | 9.9 | 9.9 | 10,875 | 0.08 | 8.7 |
*Approximately 33% of the Viscaria (tailings) Mineral Resources are covered by EMX's royalty.
1. Timok is considered by EMX to be a material property. EMX filed an Amended and Restated Technical Report dated March 25, 2022 titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report - Timok Copper-Gold Project Royalty, Serbia" which has an effective date of December 31, 2020 prepared by Mineral Resource Management LLC. The Technical Report restates, as required by NI 43-101, the Mineral Resource estimate reported by Zijin for Timok Project's Upper Zone Mineral Resource and Lower Zone Mineral Resource in Zijin's 2020 Annual Report issued on April 28, 2021. The estimates are materially the same as originally stated by previous operator and former reporting issuer, Nevsun Resources Ltd., in its Technical Report dated August 7, 2018 titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report - Timok Copper-Gold Project, Serbia: Upper Zone Prefeasibility Study and Resource Estimate for the Lower Zone" which has an effective date of June 19, 2018 and was filed on SEDAR. The Mineral Resource estimate reported by Zijin has been conformed to the requirements of NI 43-101.
2. Leeville resource estimate not available from operator Nevada Gold Mines LLC.
3. Gold Bar South Mineral Resource estimate accessed from McEwen Mining Inc.'s web site on March 20, 2022 https://www.mcewenmining.com/operations/reserves-and-resources/default.aspx and referenced from McEwen's Technical Report dated February 22, 2021 titled "Gold Bar Project Form 43-101F1 Technical Report Feasibility Study Eureka County, Nevada" which has an effective date of January 7, 2021 and was filed on SEDAR.
4. Diablillos Mineral Resource estimate referenced from AbraSilver Resources Corp.'s Technical Report filed on SEDAR titled "NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment Technical Report - Diablillos Project" with effective and report dates of January 13, 2022.
5. Kaukua Mineral Resource estimate referenced from Palladium One's Technical Report dated September 25, 2019 titled "Technical Report for the Kaukua Deposit, Läntinen Koillismaa Project, Finland" which has an effective date of September 24, 2019 and been filed on SEDAR. Contained metal originally reported in terms of palladium equivalent (Pd Eq).
Contained metal as thousands of troy ounces and thousands of metric tonnes calculated by EMX's Qualified Person under NI 43-101.
6. Viscaria resource estimates (JORC Code and PERC Code) accessed from Copperstone Resources AB web site on March 20, 2022 https://copperstone.se/en_gb/mineral-resources/ and technical reports from November 2020 ("Mineral resource inventory report - Viscaria D zone"), and February, 2022 ("Mineral Resource Estimate, Viscaria Tailings Facility"). Resource categories for the A, B, and D zones summed for tonnes and contained metal, with EMX's Qualified Person under NI 43-101 calculating the weighted average grades.
Contained metal as thousands of troy ounces and thousands of metric tonnes calculated by EMX's Qualified Person under NI 43-101.
EMX's royalty does not cover all estimated Mineral Resources for the Viscaria tailings facility. EMX's Qualified Person under NI 43-101 has made an estimate that the royalty covers approximately 33% of the Mineral Resource for the tailings facility.
7. Akarca in-house resource estimate by private Turkish company Çiftay İnşaat Taahhüt ve Ticaret A.Ş. does not meet NI 43-101 disclosure requirements.
8. Sisorta in-house resource estimate by private Turkish company Bahar Madencilik Sinayi ve Ticaret Ltd Sti does not meet NI 43-101 disclosure requirements.
9. Balya in-house resource estimate by private Turkish company Esan Eczacibaşi Endüstriyel Hammaddeler San. ve Tic. A.Ş. do not meet NI 43-101 disclosure requirements.
Summary of Historical Mineral Resources for Royalty Assets March 2022
The historical Mineral Resources summarized in the following tables are relevant in that they provide context for the quantities and grades of mineralization as currently known to EMX. The historical Mineral Resources are reliable for providing this context. There are no more recent estimates or data available to EMX, unless otherwise noted. A Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as current Mineral Resources and EMX is not treating the historical estimates as current Mineral Resources. Compilation, review, and verification of geological, engineering, metallurgical, and other relevant data, as well as independent field assessment and sampling will be needed to establish the historical estimates as current Mineral Resources.
Contained metal does not take into account recovery losses. The historical Mineral Resources reflect the most recent publicly disclosed figures for the royalty assets in which EMX has an interest. Rows and columns may not add up due to rounding. Unless otherwise noted, the historical estimates use resource categories of measured, indicated and inferred as set out in section 1.2 of NI 43-101. Please refer to 'Notes' for additional information on each asset.
GOLD | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Measured (M) | Indicated (I) | M+I | Inferred |
Historical Resources | Notes | Tonnes (Kt) | Au (g/t) | Au (Koz) | Tonnes (Kt) | Au (g/t) | Au (Koz) | Au (Koz) | Tonnes (Kt) | Au (g/t) | Au (Koz) |
Gediktepe | 1 | 3,999 | 0.67 | 86 | 26,217 | 0.94 | 792 | 878 | 2,981 | 0.54 | 51 |
Yenipazar | 2 | | | | 29,669 | 0.95 | 906 | 906 | 369 | 0.47 | 6 |
Challacollo | 3 | | | | 6,640 | 0.27 | 58 | 58 | 2,803 | 0.17 | 15 |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
SILVER | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Measured (M) | Indicated (I) | M+I | Inferred |
Historical Resources | Notes | Tonnes (Kt) | Au (g/t) | Au (Koz) | Tonnes (Kt) | Au (g/t) | Au (Koz) | Au (Koz) | Tonnes (Kt) | Au (g/t) | Au (Koz) |
Yenipazar | 2 | | | | 29,669 | 31.3 | 29,856 | 29,856 | 369 | 25.5 | 303 |
Challacollo | 3 | | | | 6,640 | 165 | 35,150 | 35,150 | 2,803 | 124 | 11,144 |
Berenguela | 4 | 7,710 | 104 | 25,700 | 28,200 | 80 | 73,000 | 98,725 | 9,970 | 88 | 28,200 |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
COPPER | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Measured (M) | Indicated (I) | M+I | Inferred |
Historical Resources | Notes | Tonnes (Kt) | Cu % | Cu (Kt) | Tonnes (Kt) | Cu % | Cu (Kt) | Cu (Kt) | Tonnes (Kt) | Cu % | Cu (Kt) |
Caserones | 5 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
Gediktepe | 1 | 3,999 | 1.01 | 40 | 26,217 | 0.78 | 203 | 243 | 2,981 | 0.76 | 23 |
Yenipazar | 2 | | | | 29,669 | 0.31 | 93 | 93 | 369 | 0.18 | 0.7 |
Berenguela | 4 | 7,710 | 0.99 | 76 | 28,200 | 0.73 | 207 | 283 | 9,970 | 0.67 | 67 |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
MOLYBDENUM | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Measured (M) | Indicated (I) | M+I | Inferred |
Historical Resources | Notes | Tonnes (Kt) | Mo % | Mo (Kt) | Tonnes (Kt) | Mo % | Mo (Kt) | Mo (Kt) | Tonnes (Kt) | Mo % | Mo (Kt) |
Caserones | 5 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| | | | |
ZINC | | | | |
| | Measured (M) | Indicated (I) | M+I | Inferred |
Historical Resources | Notes | Tonnes (Kt) | Zn % | Zn (Kt) | Tonnes (Kt) | Zn % | Zn (Kt) | Zn (Kt) | Tonnes (Kt) | Zn % | Zn (Kt) |
Gediktepe | 1 | 3,999 | 1.83 | 73 | 26,217 | 1.53 | 402 | 475 | 2,981 | 1.16 | 34 |
Yenipazar | 2 | | | | 29,669 | 1.47 | 436 | 436 | 369 | 1.89 | 7.0 |
Berenguela | 4 | 7,710 | 0.34 | 26 | 28,200 | 0.30 | 85 | 111 | 9,970 | 0.20 | 20.0 |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
LEAD | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Measured (M) | Indicated (I) | M+I | Inferred |
Historical Resources | Notes | Tonnes (Kt) | Pb % | Pb (Kt) | Tonnes (Kt) | Pb % | Pb (Kt) | Pb (Kt) | Tonnes (Kt) | Pb % | Pb (Kt) |
Yenipazar | 2 | | | | 29,669 | 1.01 | 299 | 299 | 369 | 0.94 | 3.5 |
1. Gediktepe is considered by EMX to be a material property. Concurrent with this AIF, EMX filed a Technical Report dated March 21, 2022 titled "Gediktepe Project - Balıkesir Province, Turkey NI 43-101 Royalty Technical Report" which has an effective date of February 1, 2022 and was prepared by DAMA Engineering Inc. The Technical Report restates the Gediktepe historical resource estimates referenced from Technical Report filed by Alacer Gold Corp. (formerly a reporting issuer in Canada) on SEDAR dated April 3, 2019 titled "Gediktepe 2019 Prefeasibility Study" which has an effective date of March 26, 2019. Basic assumptions for the historical resource estimate include: (a) open pit constrained, (b) estimated within geologic domains by ordinary kriging or inverse distance, (c) reported at NSR cut-offs of $20.72/t for oxide and $17.79/t for sulfide using mineral reserve metal prices x 1.14 (+14%) and metal recoveries according to mineralization type. The historical estimate should not be relied on until verified by a Qualified Person.
2. Yenipazar historical resource estimate referenced from Technical Report filed on SEDAR by Aldridge Minerals Inc. (formerly a reporting issuer in Canada) dated May 23, 2014 titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Yenipazar Optimization Study, Yozgat Province, Turkey" which has an effective date of April 15, 2014. Aldridge is now a privately held Turkish subsidiary of British Virgin Islands domiciled Virtus Mining Ltd. Basic assumptions for the historical resource estimate include: (a) open pit constrained, (b) Ordinary Krige block model, and (c) reported at NSR cutoffs of USD 15/t for sulphides, USD 12/t for oxides, and USD 15/t for zones of Cu-enrichment based upon variable costs and recoveries by material type and metal prices of Cu USD 2.90/lb, Pb USD 0.95/lb, Zn USD 0.90/lb, Au USD 1,250/oz and Ag USD 20/oz. The historical estimate should not be relied on until verified by a Qualified Person.
Virtus Mining's in-house Yenipazar 2019 Optimization Study Update Report (July 30, 2019) was based upon the historical estimates from Aldridge's 2014 Technical Report. The Virtus report does not meet NI 43-101 disclosure requirements.
Contained metal as thousands of troy ounces and thousands of metric tonnes calculated by EMX's Qualified Person under NI 43-101.
3. Challacollo historical resource estimate referenced from Aftermath Silver Ltd.'s Technical Report dated February 15, 2021 titled "Technical Report Challacollo Silver-Gold Mineral Resource Estimate" which has an effective date of December 15, 2020 and been filed on SEDAR. Basic assumptions for the historical estimate include: (a) open pit and underground constrained, (b) Ordinary Kriging and Inverse Distance (squared) block models, and (c) reported at an open pit cutoff of 35 g/t AgEq and an underground cutoff of 93 g/t AgEq. Silver equivalent ("AgEq") calculated as AgEq (g/t) = Ag (g/t) + 57.065 *Au (g/t) based upon US$20/oz Ag with recovery of 92% Ag and US$1,400/oz Au with recovery of 75%. The historical estimate should not be relied on until verified by a Qualified Person.
4. Berenguela JORC (2012) historical resource estimate accessed from AfterMath Silver's web site on March 20, 2022 https://aftermathsilver.com/projects/berenguela/historic-mineral-resource/ and Valor Resources Limited's (ASX listed Valor was a predecessor project operator) news release dated January 30, 2018. Basic assumptions for the historical estimate include: (a) grade shell constrained Ordinary Krige block model and (b) reporting cutoff of 0.5% CuEq. Copper equivalent (CuEq) calculated with Cu price of US$7202/tonne and recovery of 85%, Ag price of US$17.23/oz and recovery of 50%, and Zn price of US$3,377/tonne and recovery of 80%. The historical estimate should not be relied on until verified by a Qualified Person.
Contained metal as thousands of troy ounces and thousands of metric tonnes calculated by EMX's Qualified Person under NI 43-101.
5. Caserones is considered by EMX to be a material property. Concurrent with this AIF, EMX filed a Technical Report dated March 1, 2022 titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report - Caserones Copper-Molybdenum Mine Royalty Region III, Chile" which an effective date of February 28, 2022 and was prepared by independent Qualified Person Gregory Walker, RM SME. The Caserones historical resource estimate is not available from operator JX Nippon Mining and Metals.
Technical and Third Party Information. Except where stated otherwise, reserve and resource (either current or historical) disclosure relating to properties and operations on the properties in which EMX holds a royalty interest is based on the most recent information publicly disclosed by the relevant (either current or historical) owners or operators of these properties and information available in the public domain. None of this information has been independently verified by EMX.
As a royalty holder, EMX frequently has limited, if any, access to properties included in its royalty asset portfolio. Additionally, EMX may from time to time receive information from the owners and operators of the properties, which the Company is not permitted to disclose to the public. EMX is dependent on operators of the properties and their qualified persons for information, or on publicly available information, to prepare disclosure pertaining to properties and operations on the properties for which EMX holds royalty interests. EMX generally has limited or no ability to independently verify such information. Although EMX does not have any knowledge that such information may not be accurate, there can be no assurance that such third party information is complete or accurate.
US Investors. This AIF has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Canadian securities laws, which differ from the requirements of United States securities laws. Unless otherwise indicated, all mineral resource and reserve estimates have been prepared by the owners or operators of the properties (as and to the extent indicated by them) in accordance with NI 43-101 and CIM. Also see "Cautionary Note to US Investors Regarding Mineral Reserve and Resource Estimates" at the front of this AIF.
Reconciliation to CIM Definitions. EMX has disclosed resource estimates covering properties related to royalty assets that are not based on Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") definitions, but instead have been prepared in reliance upon the JORC Code or PERC Code. Estimates based on Acceptable Foreign Codes are recognized under NI 43-101 in certain circumstances. In each case, the mineral resources reported are based on estimates previously disclosed by the relevant (current or historical) property owner or operator, without reference to the underlying data used to generate the estimates. Accordingly, EMX is not able to reconcile the resource and reserve estimates prepared in reliance on an Acceptable Foreign Code with that of CIM definitions.
Historical Estimates. NI 43-101 permits an historical estimate made prior to the adoption of NI 43-101, or an historical estimate made prior to EMX's gaining an interest in a property, to be disclosed using the historical terminology if, among other things, the disclosure: (a) identifies the source and date of the historical estimate; (b) comments on the relevance and reliability of the historical estimate; (c) states whether the historical estimate uses categories other than those prescribed by NI 43-101; and (d) includes any more recent estimates or data available.
Qualified Person. Michael P. Sheehan, CPG, a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and employee of the Company, has reviewed, verified, and approved the Summaries for EMX's Royalty Assets of Mineral Reserves, Historical Mineral Reserves, Mineral Resources, and Historical Mineral Resources.