Management Discussion and Analysis
For the six months ended
General
The purpose of this Management Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is to explain management’s point of view regarding the past performance and future outlook of Gold Standard Ventures Corp. (“Gold Standard” or the “Company”). This report also provides information to improve the reader’s understanding of the financial statements and related notes as well as important trends and risks affecting the Company’s financial performance, and should therefore be read in conjunction with the Company’s condensed interim consolidated financial statements and notes for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 (the “Financial Statements”) and the Company’s annual information form (the “2012 AIF”), annual management discussion and analysis (the “2012 Annual MD&A”) and annual audited consolidated financial statements (the “2012 Annual Financial Statements”) for the year ended December 31, 2012. The AIF, Annual MD&A and Annual Financial Statements are collectively referred to as the “2012 Annual Filings”.
All information contained in this MD&A is current as of August 14, 2013 unless otherwise stated.
All financial information in this MD&A has been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and all dollar amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated.
Additional information on the Company is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and at the Company’s website, www.goldstandardv.com. The date of this MD&A is August 14, 2013.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain sections of this MD&A may contain forward-looking statements.
All statements, other than statements of historical fact, made by the Company that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements preceded by, followed by or that include words such as “may”, “will”, “would”, “could”, “should”, “believes”, “estimates”, “projects”, “potential”, “expects”, “plans”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “targeted”, “continues”, “forecasts”, “designed”, “goal”, or the negative of those words or other similar or comparable words.
| Gold Standard Ventures Corp. – Management Discussion and Analysis | Page - 2 - |
Forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this MD&A may relate to the Company’s future financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, performance or business developments including, among other things, exploration and work programs, drilling plans and timing of drilling, plans for development and facilities construction and timing, method of funding and completion thereof, the performance characteristics of the Company’s exploration and evaluation assets, drilling, results of various projects of the Company, the existence of mineral resources or reserves and the timing of development thereof, projections of market prices and costs, supply and demand for gold and other precious metals, expectations regarding the ability to raise capital and to acquire reserves through acquisitions and/or development, treatment under governmental regulatory regimes and tax laws, and capital expenditure programs and the timing and method of financing thereof. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. The estimates and assumptions of the Company contained or incorporated by reference in this MD&A, which may prove to be incorrect, include, but are not limited to, the various assumptions set forth herein and in the AIF or as otherwise expressly incorporated herein by reference as well as: (1) there being no significant disruptions affecting operations, whether due to labour disruptions, supply disruptions, power disruptions, damage to equipment, adverse weather conditions or otherwise; (2) permitting, access, exploration, expansion and acquisitions at our projects (including, without limitation, land acquisitions for and permitting of exploration plans) being consistent with the Company’s current expectations; (3) the viability, permitting, access, exploration and development of the Railroad Project including, but not limited to, the establishment of resources being consistent with the Company’s current expectations; (4) political developments in the State of Nevada including, without limitation, the implementation of the new Nevada state mining tax and related regulations being consistent with the Company’s current expectations; (5) the exchange rate between the Canadian dollar and the U.S. dollar being approximately consistent with current levels; (6) certain price assumptions for gold and silver; (7) prices for and availability of equipment, labor, natural gas, fuel oil, electricity, water and other key supplies remaining consistent with current levels; (8) the results of the Company’s exploration program on the Railroad and other projects being consistent with the Company’s expectations; (9) labour and materials costs increasing on a basis consistent with the Company’s current expectations; (10) the availability and timing of additional financing being consistent with the Company’s current expectations. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: fluctuations in the currency markets; fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold or certain other commodities (such as diesel fuel and electricity); changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada, the United States, or other countries in which the Company may carry on business in the future; business opportunities that may be presented to, or pursued by, us; our ability to successfully integrate acquisitions; operating or technical difficulties in connection with exploration or development activities; employee relations; the speculative nature of gold exploration and development, including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses and permits; competition for, among other things, capital, acquisitions of reserves, undeveloped lands and skilled personnel, incorrect assessments of the value of acquisitions, geological, technical, drilling and processing problems, fluctuations in foreign exchange or interest rates and stock market volatility, changes in income tax laws or changes in tax laws and incentive programs relating to the mineral resource industry; and contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties. In addition, there are risks and hazards associated with the business of gold exploration, development and mining, including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins, flooding and gold bullion losses (and the risk of inadequate insurance, or the inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks). Many of these uncertainties and contingencies can affect the Company’s actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management’s expectations and plans relating to the future. All of the forward-looking statements made or incorporated by reference in this MD&A are qualified by these cautionary statements and those made in our other filings with applicable securities regulators in Canada including, but not limited to, the 2012 Annual Filings. These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect the Company and readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements in this MD&A. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law.
The forward looking statements contained herein are based on information available as of August 14, 2013.
| Gold Standard Ventures Corp. – Management Discussion and Analysis | Page - 3 - |
Overall Performance
Gold Standard is a Canadian-based mineral resource company focused on the acquisition and exploration of, inter alia, district-scale gold-bearing mineral resource properties exclusively in the State of Nevada, United States.
The Company's flagship property is the Railroad project (the "Railroad Project") located in Elko County, Nevada. The Railroad Project is a prospective gold exploration target comprising approximately 16,748 acres (26.2 square miles) within the prolific Carlin Trend of north-central Nevada. The Company currently owns or controls close to 100% of the material claims and fee lands comprising the Railroad Project. Over the past two years, the Company’s work programs at the Railroad Project have been focused on utilizing model-driven exploration techniques to explore for Carlin-style gold mineralization. The Company's primary objective at the Railroad Project is to continue to explore the area with a view to delineating a National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) compliant resource and establishing reserves thereon.
Commencing in late 2011 and during the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company entered into various leases with land holders encompassing approximately 3,283 net mineral acres of land adjacent to the Railroad Project in Elko County, Nevada (the "South Railroad Leases"). The South Railroad Leases are substantially the same and provide for a primary term of 10 years, but will continue thereafter as long as commercial mining operations are being conducted on the lands. Each South Railroad Lease is subject to annual advance minimum royalty (“AMR”) payments of US$17.50 per acre in the first and second years, increasing to US$28.00 per acre in the seventh year and thereafter. The leases are also subject to a production royalty of 5% of net smelter returns (payable in proportion to the interest held), against which the AMR payments shall be credited and recouped up to 80%.
In November 2012, the Company entered into a lease with option to purchase (the “Pereira Lease”) with Pereira Family, LLC (“Pereira”) granting the Company exclusive right to explore, mine and develop varying percentage holdings in approximately 21,296 net mineral acres within the Pinon District, Nevada, of which approximately 2,280 net mineral acres of land is both within and contiguous to the south of the Company’s Railroad Project in Elko County, Nevada. The Company also secured the surface and water rights on 4,467 net surface acres, through a third party, within the Railroad and Pinon Districts critical to future exploration and development.
Collectively, the South Railroad Leases and the Pereira Lease comprise the Company’s South Railroad project (the “South Railroad Project”), a gold exploration prospect totalling approximately 5,563 net mineral acres of land within strategic sections located throughout the Railroad and Pinon Districts. The Company’s research estimates that the Pereira Lease, together with the South Railroad Leases, gives the Company control of approximately 51% of Pinon section 27 which contains the bulk of the historic “Pinon Deposit”. See the 2012 AIF for a further discussion of the South Railroad Project and the historic Pinon Deposit.
In addition to the Railroad and South Railroad Projects, the Company holds or controls a 100% interest in the Crescent Valley North ("CVN") and Camp Douglas projects located in north central Nevada, both early stage gold exploration projects.
As of the date of this MD&A, the Company considers the Railroad Project as its sole material property for the purposes of NI 43-101.
| Gold Standard Ventures Corp. – Management Discussion and Analysis | Page - 4 - |
During the quarter ended June 30, 2013, the Company continued to focus its exploration efforts on drilling on the Railroad Project to follow-up on earlier drilling successes in the North Bullion Fault Zone or “NBFZ”. Using as many as 2 drills, the Company drilled 5 holes (1 holes remained in progress at the end of the quarter) totaling approximately 1,548 meters, all core. 2 core rigs were utilized exploring Railroad targets during the first part of the 2nd quarter. Drilling and related exploration expenditures for the Railroad Project for the six months ended June 30, 2013 totaled $5,752,183. See “Results of Operations – Summary of Exploration Activities”.
Save for lease payments, minor consulting, and geological work, the Company did not carry out any material exploration work on the South Railroad, CVN or Camp Douglas Projects during the quarter ended June 30, 2013.
As of June 30, 2013, the Company had incurred a total of $40,467,798, $3,070,091, $2,927,495 and $1,544,888 in acquisition and deferred exploration expenses on its Railroad, CVN, Camp Douglas and South Railroad Projects, respectively, for total acquisition and deferred exploration costs of $48,010,272.
Effective June 12, 2012, the Company’s common shares began trading on NYSE MKT under the symbol “GSV”. In anticipation of the NYSE MKT listing, the Company also changed its trading symbol on the TSX Venture Exchange from “GV” to “GSV”.
On June 27, 2012, the Company completed a short form prospectus offering of 10,000,000 common shares at US$2.00 (equivalent to $2.0514) per share for net proceeds of $18,650,747, after cash commissions and expenses of $1,863,253 (the “2012 Financing”).
In March 2013, 780,526 share purchase warrants expired. See “Disclosure of Data for Outstanding Common Shares, Options and Warrants”.
On August 2, 2013, the Company completed a marketed private placement of 7,936,508 common shares at $0.63 per share for gross proceeds of $5,000,000.
As at June 30, 2013, the Company had a cash and cash equivalents position of $3,411,340 and a surplus working capital position of $1,879,750. See “Liquidity, Financial Position and Capital Resources”.
| Gold Standard Ventures Corp. – Management Discussion and Analysis | Page - 5 - |
Selected Annual Information
All financial information in this MD&A has been prepared in accordance with IFRS.
The following financial data is derived from the Company’s annual audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010:
| | 2012 $ | 2011 $ | 2010* $ |
| Revenues (interest income) | 78,292 | 93,083 | 574 |
| General and administrative expenses | (5,271,516) | (3,989,654) | (3,448,360) |
| Loss and comprehensive loss | (5,193,224) | (4,138,880) | (3,447,786) |
| Basic and diluted loss per common share | (0.07) | (0.07) | (0.11) |
| Working capital | 9,135,808 | 6,839,192 | 2,932,667 |
| Exploration and evaluation assets | 42,165,595 | 17,126,450 | 8,181,798 |
| Total assets | 53,482,564 | 25,312,542 | 12,505,150 |
| Total liabilities | 1,838,851 | 1,212,781 | 1,277,792 |
* Restated in accordance with IFRS.
See the 2012 Annual MD&A for a discussion of certain factors contributing to variations in the financial position and financial performance of the Company for the three most recently completed financial years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.
Summary of Quarterly Results
The following selected quarterly consolidated financial information is derived from the financial statements of the Company.
| | 2nd Quarter | 1st Quarter | 4th Quarter | 3rd Quarter |
| Three months ended | Jun 30, 2013 | Mar 31, 2013 | Dec 31, 2012 | Sep 30, 2012 |
| | $ | $ | $ | $ |
| Interest income | 9,808 | 17,691 | 25,762 | 20,735 |
| Loss and comprehensive loss | (1,729,104) | (688,723) | (818,340) | (1,600,489) |
| Loss per share-basic and diluted | (0.02) | (0.01) | (0.01) | (0.02) |
| | 2nd Quarter | 1st Quarter | 4th Quarter | 3rd Quarter |
| Three months ended | Jun 30, 2012 | Mar 31, 2012 | Dec 31, 2011 | Sep 30, 2011 |
| | $ | $ | $ | $ |
| Interest income | 15,763 | 16,032 | 30,299 | 31,626 |
| Loss and comprehensive loss | (1,095,076) | (1,679,319) | (834,786) | (661,047) |
| Loss per share-basic and diluted | (0.02) | (0.03) | (0.01) | (0.01) |
| Gold Standard Ventures Corp. – Management Discussion and Analysis | Page - 6 - |
Variances quarter over quarter can be explained as follows:
| | · | Due to an increase in exploration activities and growth of the Company, there was a general increase in general and administrative expenses (excluding share-based compensation) from $692,673 in the quarter ended September 30, 2011 to $589,413 in the quarter ended June 30, 2013. |
| | · | General and administrative expenses increased primarily due to the following: |
| | o | increased travel due to site visits and marketing |
| | o | increased consulting fees to existing consultants and professionals |
| | o | increased management fees to management, executives and directors |
| | o | increased investor relations and regulatory and shareholders service expenses |
| | · | In the quarters ended March 31, 2012, June 30, 2012, September 30, 2012, March 31, 2013, and June 30, 2013, stock options were granted to various parties. These grants resulted in share-based compensation expenses of $955,208, $55,223, $329,689, $44,557, and $1,149,499 respectively. |
| | · | In the quarter ended September 30, 2012, there was a foreign exchange loss of $493,598 as a result of the drop in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar during such period. |
| | · | Generally speaking, the Company’s general and administrative expenses are not subject to increases or decreases due to seasonality. However, given the general weather conditions and exploration season in North Central Nevada, the Company’s exploration and evaluation assets expenditures tend to be greater from April to December than in the rest of the year. |
Results of Operations
The following financial data is derived from the Company’s condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012:
| | For the six months ended June 30, |
| | 2013 $ | 2012 $ |
| Revenues (interest income) | 27,499 | 31,795 |
| General and administrative expenses | (2,445,326) | (2,806,190) |
| Loss and comprehensive loss | (2,417,827) | (2,774,395) |
| Basic and diluted loss per common share | (0.03) | (0.04) |
| Working capital | 1,879,750 | 24,669,164 |
| Exploration and evaluation assets | 48,010,272 | 26,971,872 |
| Total assets | 52,143,978 | 54,841,258 |
| Total liabilities | 1,724,036 | 3,038,636 |
All of the Company’s projects are at the exploration stage and, to date, the Company has not generated any revenues other than interest income.
At June 30, 2013, the Company had not yet achieved profitable operations and has accumulated losses of $15,192,732 (June 30, 2012 – $10,356,076) since inception. These losses resulted in a net loss per share (basic and diluted) for the six months ended June 30, 2013 of $0.03 (June 30, 2012 - $0.04).
| Gold Standard Ventures Corp. – Management Discussion and Analysis | Page - 7 - |
The operating and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2013 totalled $2,445,326 (June 30, 2012: $2,806,190), including share-based compensation issued during the period, valued at $1,194,056 (June 30, 2012: $1,010,431) calculated using the Black Scholes option pricing model. Comparatively, the major expenses for the period ended June 30, 2013 were management fees of $294,500 (June 30, 2012 - $226,167), professional fees of $173,750 (June 30, 2012 - $307,021), office expenses of $93,072 (June 30, 2012 - $117,177), consulting fees of $101,069 (June 30, 2012 - $86,733), investor relations of $60,661 (June 30, 2012 - $139,390), regulatory and shareholder services of $66,297 (June 30, 2012 - $146,009) and travel and related costs of $196,280 (June 30, 2012 - $373,166).
The table below details the changes in major expenditures for the six months ended June 30, 2013 as compared to the corresponding six months ended June 30, 2012.
| Expenses | Increase / Decrease in Expenses | Explanation for Change |
| Management fees | Increase of $68,333 | Increase in management’s compensations and added directors’ fees. Effective May 1, 2012, management fees paid to certain executive officers of the Company were increased based, in part, on the report of an independent executive compensation consultant engaged by the Company to review executive compensation levels. See “Commitments” and “Related Party Transactions” below. |
| Consulting fees | Increase of $14,336 | Increase due to the Company’s hiring of a corporate marketing consultant to review and recommend changes to certain marketing material. |
| Professional fees | Decrease of $133,271 | Decrease due to fewer activities with respect to acquiring exploration and evaluation assets/leases. |
| Investor relations | Decrease of $78,729 | Reduced the number of investor relations firms to assist in marketing of the Company as the Company is well established in the market. |
| Travel and related expense | Decrease of $176,886 | Decreased level of travel for site visits, and marketing of the Company. |
| Share-based compensation | Increase of $183,625 | More stock options were granted for the six months ended June 30, 2013. |
| Gold Standard Ventures Corp. – Management Discussion and Analysis | Page - 8 - |
The table below details the changes in major expenditures for the three months ended June 30, 2013 as compared to the corresponding three months ended June 30, 2012.
| Expenses | Increase / Decrease in Expenses | Explanation for Change |
| Management fees | Increase of $23,083 | Increase in management’s compensations and added directors’ fees. Effective May 1, 2012, management fees paid to certain executive officers of the Company were increased based, in part, on the report of an independent executive compensation consultant engaged by the Company to review executive compensation levels. See “Commitments” and “Related Party Transactions” below. |
| Professional fees | Decrease of $114,173 | Decrease due to fewer activities with respect to acquiring exploration and evaluation assets/leases. |
| Investor relations | Decrease of $37,989 | Reduced the number of investor relations firms to assist in marketing of the Company as the Company is well established in the market. |
| Regulatory and shareholders service | Decrease of $72,240 | Decreased due to commencement of listing on NYSE MKT and regulatory costs associated with the 2012 Financing. |
| Travel and related expense | Decrease of $109,409 | Decreased level of travel for site visits, and marketing of the Company. |
| Share-based compensation | Increase of $1,094,276 | More stock options were granted for the three months ended June 30, 2013. |
| Gold Standard Ventures Corp. – Management Discussion and Analysis | Page - 9 - |
Summary of Exploration Activities
For the six months ended June 30, 2013, the Company incurred $5,844,677 in deferred exploration and development costs compared to $9,845,422 for the corresponding six months ended June 30, 2012.
The following is a breakdown of the material components of the Company’s deferred exploration and development costs, on a property by property basis, for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and June 30, 2012:
| | | Crescent Valley | | | Railroad | | | Camp Douglas | | | South Railroad | | | Total | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Six Months Ended June 30, 2013 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Claim maintenance fees (recovery) | | | (40,142 | ) | | | 164,267 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 124,125 | |
| Consulting | | | 15,062 | | | | 545,701 | | | | 19,256 | | | | 22,240 | | | | 602,259 | |
| Data analysis | | | - | | | | 35,250 | | | | 287 | | | | - | | | | 35,537 | |
| Drilling | | | - | | | | 3,732,531 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 3,732,531 | |
| Equipment | | | - | | | | 28,629 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 28,629 | |
| Geological | | | 11,598 | | | | 12,962 | | | | 28,214 | | | | - | | | | 52,774 | |
| Lease payments | | | 28,081 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 7,898 | | | | 35,979 | |
| Sampling and processing | | | - | | | | 307,563 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 307,563 | |
| Site development | | | - | | | | 367,483 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 367,483 | |
| Supplies | | | - | | | | 514,280 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 514,280 | |
| Travel | | | - | | | | 43,517 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 43,517 | |
| | | | 14,599 | | | | 5,752,183 | | | | 47,757 | | | | 30,138 | | | | 5,844,677 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Claim maintenance fees (recovery) | | | 77,023 | | | | (40,079 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | 36,944 | |
| Consulting | | | 34,544 | | | | 455,833 | | | | 40,270 | | | | 2,062 | | | | 532,709 | |
| Data analysis | | | 4,598 | | | | 31,412 | | | | 4,495 | | | | - | | | | 40,505 | |
| Drilling/Exploration | | | - | | | | 5,527,433 | | | | 1,600,493 | | | | - | | | | 7,127,926 | |
| Equipment | | | - | | | | 28,170 | | | | 17,187 | | | | - | | | | 45,357 | |
| Geological | | | 4,915 | | | | 37,501 | | �� | | 39,293 | | | | - | | | | 81,709 | |
| Lease payments | | | 22,714 | | | | 31,036 | | | | - | | | | 44,006 | | | | 97,756 | |
| Sampling and processing | | | 100,576 | | | | 214,166 | | | | 49,337 | | | | - | | | | 364,079 | |
| Site development | | | - | | | | 140,303 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 140,303 | |
| Supplies | | | - | | | | 853,630 | | | | 460,276 | | | | - | | | | 1,313,906 | |
| Travel | | | - | | | | 57,263 | | | | 6,965 | | | | - | | | | 64,228 | |
| | | | 244,370 | | | | 7,336,668 | | | | 2,218,316 | | | | 46,068 | | | | 9,845,422 | |
| Gold Standard Ventures Corp. – Management Discussion and Analysis | Page - 10 - |
The total cumulative acquisition and deferred exploration costs to June 30, 2013 are summarized as follows:
| | | Crescent | | | | Camp | | South | | |
| | | Valley | | Railroad | | Douglas | | Railroad | | Total |
| | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ |
| Property acquisition and staking costs | | 505,657 | | 3,816,094 | | - | | - | | 4,321,751 |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Exploration expenses | | | | | | | | | | |
| Assessment/claim fees | | 323,917 | | 454,478 | | 128,401 | | 10,784 | | 917,580 |
| Consulting | | 229,797 | | 2,335,286 | | 179,990 | | 57,658 | | 2,802,731 |
| Data analysis/geological | | 45,502 | | 389,852 | | 203,709 | | - | | 639,063 |
| Drilling/site development | | 1,184,681 | | 31,480,643 | | 2,108,587 | | - | | 34,773,911 |
| Lease payments | | 588,029 | | 404,151 | | 151,191 | | 1,476,446 | | 2,619,817 |
Legal fees for property acquisition | | 15,094 | | 21,931 | | 17,910 | | - | | 54,935 |
| Sampling and processing | | 173,397 | | 1,316,062 | | 119,773 | | - | | 1,609,232 |
| Travel | | 4,017 | | 249,301 | | 17,934 | | - | | 271,252 |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cumulative deferred exploration costs at June 30, 2013 | | 3,070,091 | | 40,467,798 | | 2,927,495 | | 1,544,888 | | 48,010,272 |
The decrease in total exploration expenditures from $9,845,422 during the first six months of 2012 to $5,844,677 during the first six months of 2013 resulted from the Company focusing its entire exploration efforts in 2013 on the Railroad Project. Total deferred exploration and development costs on the Railroad Project remained relatively constant in the first six months of 2013 ($5,752,183) compared to 2012 ($7,336,668); however, the Company cut back its exploration expenditures on the CVN and Camp Douglas Projects in the first six months of 2013 compared to 2012 as detailed above. This decision to focus the Company’s financial and management resources in 2013 solely on the Railroad Project (which has provided the most encouraging results to date) to the exclusion of the Company’s other projects is, in part, a function of the poor state of the capital markets for junior resource issuers and management’s decision to utilize the Company’s remaining cash resources on its flagship Railroad Project until the Company is able to raise additional financing to continue exploration of its secondary properties.
Drilling in the 2nd quarter of 2013 on the Railroad Project was directed at further defining the North Bullion (NB) deposit and extending the deposit northward. The Company drilled a total of 5 holes (one hole on hold at the end of the quarter) using as many as 2 drills to advance the project. The Company drilled a total of 1,548 meters, all core. 2 core rigs were utilized exploring Railroad targets during the first part of the 2nd quarter.
Railroad Project
The Railroad Project is located within the northern Piñon Range about 30 miles southwest of Elko, Nevada, located at the southeast end of the Carlin Gold Trend adjacent to, and south of Newmont’s Rain mining district.
The Company is focused on following-up on, among other things, recent drilling success within the North Bullion Target Zone. Planned activities at the Railroad Project include commencing and, or continuing Phase 1 drilling of targets that have been pending completion and approval of the Plan of Operations (POO) and seasonal access availability; these targets include the Railroad Fault, Central Bullion, South Bullion and Copper-gold targets. Primary exploration focus remains with Phase 2 of the exploration program on the North Bullion target recommended in the NI 43-101 technical report of David R. Shaddrick, M.Sc., CPG, P.Geo. dated May 29, 2012 and titled “Technical Report on the Railroad Project Elko County, Nevada, USA” (the “Railroad Report”).
| Gold Standard Ventures Corp. – Management Discussion and Analysis | Page - 11 - |
As of June 30, 2013, the Company has spent approximately $14.45 million towards the Phase 1 and approximately $3.08 million toward Phase 2 work program.
Phase 2 decision points can be defined as providing additional definition to the North Bullion deposit sufficient to allow for the calculation of resources and commencement of refined definition drilling. If warranted by the results of Phase 1 and initial Phase 2 drilling, the balance of Phase 2 would entail extensive offset drilling on the North Bullion deposit in order to quantifiably define the resource. Initial Phase 2 definition drilling of the North Bullion deposit began in the first quarter of 2013; however, the Company expects to reduce the total number of drill rigs focused on the North Bullion deposit during the remainder of 2013. As of June 30, 2013, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $3,411,340 and a surplus working capital position of $1,879,750. See “Liquidity, Financial Position and Capital Resources”.
Currently, the Company has identified eight major targets on its 26.2 square mile Railroad Project, three of which were provided initial drill tests during the 2011 and 2012 drilling programs: the North Bullion deposit (31 holes), the Railroad Fault zone (8 holes) and the Historic Bullion target (6 holes). Positive drill results obtained in 2011 and early 2012 provided the impetus for the Company’s decision to focus the majority of its drilling efforts in 2012 on the North Bullion deposit discovery.
North Bullion drill intercepts obtained during the first and second half of 2012 indicate: (1) unusually thick sections of substantially the same geology and style of mineralization as numerous gold deposits in the northern part of the Carlin Trend; (2) long runs of pervasive gold values which have been increasing in grade as the program advances; and (3) some localized assays as high as 18.30 meters of 7.03 gAu/T in RR11-16, 42.7 meters of 9.4 gAu/T in RR12-01, and 16 meters of 15.1 gAu/T in RR12-10 suggest proximity to feeder structures.
Recent North Bullion drill intercepts extended the deposit to the south by more than 300 meters with holes RR12-27 (16.8 meters of 1.95 gAu/T), RR12-24 (40.2 meters of 1.34 gAu/T), and RR13-01 (20.4 meters of 1.06 gAu/T). The envelope now appears to stretch from hole RR11-9 in the north to hole RR13-01 in the south, a total of more than 1,000 meters, and it remains open in multiple directions. The high grade zone that lies within this envelope ranges from 5 to 15 grams per tonne gold and has been traced to date for about 300 meters in contiguous drill holes RR11-16, RR12-1, and RR12-10.
Drill intercepts obtained during the second quarter of 2013 with drill hole RR 13-08, indicate an extension of the high-grade zone 75 meters to the north but, more importantly, demonstrate the presence of high-grade mineralization within the lower breccia zone. The lower breccia is dominantly comprised of collapse breccias which are typically a key host for the better gold mineralization in the most productive deposits of the Carlin Trend. Until 13-08, the Company has encountered consistently thick intervals of mineralization in the lower breccia grading 0.3 to 2.0 gAu/T . Discovering high-grade mineralization in this location bodes well for finding additional high-grade within the NB deposit and is a positive credential for economically significant discovery elsewhere in the Railroad district. Hole 13-01, a 300 meter step-out to the south of the known NB deposit, returned 20.4 meters of 1.06g Au/T, appearing to effectively increase the deposit’s strike length by a third. Holes 13-08 and 13-01 together represent a 375 meter north and south extension to the NB gold deposit. The deposit remains open in multiple directions. The success of these step-out holes further strengthens the potential of the entire 10km long Bullion Fault Corridor.
| Gold Standard Ventures Corp. – Management Discussion and Analysis | Page - 12 - |
Current drilling at North Bullion is focused on intersecting locations of high grade, feeder zones of mineralization within structural zones which likely have acted as the sources for the pervasive mineralization. Angled holes are being used in this next phase of the drilling with a view to, among other things, laterally expanding the NB deposit to the north and the west.
In addition to the above drill program, the Company is continuing with target development elsewhere on the Railroad Project through the evaluation of historic data and recent detailed gravity and soil sample programs; although current exploration remains heavily focused on the North Bullion deposit. During 2012, an additional 457 gravity stations were added to the existing 2,435 gravity stations in 2011 to comprise a total of 2,892 gravity readings over the 26.2 square mile land position. These stations were obtained in the northern portion of the Railroad Project, particularly the 4 sections leased from Newmont Mining Corporation in May 2011. A detailed controlled source audio magneto-telluric (“CSAMT”) survey was conducted and completed by Zonge Geophysics, who was guided by Wright Geophysics in June 2012 over portions of the Bullion structural corridor and in particular the North Bullion discovery in order to help define target opportunities on recently acquired properties and elsewhere on the project where existing surface geochemistry suggests target potential. A follow-up CSAMT survey to further examine the southern extensions of the Bullion Fault Corridor target zone and northwestern extensions of the Railroad Fault zone was conducted in the third quarter. As a result of additional land acquisition and recognition of a continuation of the prospective Bullion Fault Corridor even further southward an additional survey will be conducted in the third quarter of 2013. The composite length of the targeted Bullion Fault Corridor structural zone and CSAMT coverage will be 10 kilometers of strike length. These data are being integrated into the existing database for the purpose of expanded and new target synthesis. Currently, eight large areas of target opportunity including the North Bullion deposit zone, the Railroad Fault target and the Historic Bullion target have been identified within the Railroad Project; however, to date, only the North Bullion deposit has received significant drill assessment.
During the first quarter of 2013, an initial six hole RC drill program was completed on the LT target area of the Railroad Project. Assay results and target assessment for this drill program have been finalized and the results reviewed. Little assay encouragement was obtained from the results, but the geology is indicated to be exceptionally complex and could lend toward obscuring target opportunities not currently envisioned.
On January 22, 2013 the Company also announced a new, previously unknown zone of copper and silver mineralization in the historic Central Bullion target area. RRB12-03, a core hole completed in November 2012, intersected 19.8 meters of 104.94 gAg/T with 0.80% copper and 0.08% molybdenum from 13.7 to 33.5 meters within a 76 meter thick zone of 44.58 gAg/T and 0.25% Cu, and a second higher-grade zone of 13.4 meters of 220.16 gAg/T with 2.48% copper from 278.3 to 291.7 meters within a 57 meter thick zone of 58.30 gAg/T and 0.78% Cu. Both zones of mineralization occur within skarn straddling a granodiorite dike. The true thicknesses of these mineralized zones are unknown at this stage, however mineralization appears to be broadly disseminated and is relatively uniformly distributed within the skarn.
South Railroad Project
The South Railroad Project is a prospective gold target comprising approximately 5,563 net acres of fee mineral and located claims within strategic sections located throughout the Railroad and Pinon Districts adjacent and to the south of the Company’s Railroad Project. Based on its research, the Company estimates that collectively the Pereira Lease and South Railroad Leases give the Company control of approximately 51% of Pinon section 27 which contains the bulk of the historic Pinon gold deposit.
| Gold Standard Ventures Corp. – Management Discussion and Analysis | Page - 13 - |
Due to the separate ownership interests in the Pinon deposit, future exploration and development will necessitate the joint agreement of the various owners. See the 2012 AIF for further details regarding the South Railroad Project and the historic Pinon deposit.
Crescent Valley North Project (CVN)
The CVN Project is an early stage exploration prospect located in Eureka County, Nevada, approximately
15 miles south-southwest of the town of Carlin and 35 miles southwest of Elko, within a volcanic rock hosted bonanza vein belt between the Carlin and Battle Mountain-Eureka gold trends in north-central Nevada. The property is on the south and west sides of Iron Blossom Mountain in the northern Cortez Range and covers the western range front.
The CVN Project is a consolidation of a number of mining leases encompassing approximately 17,404 net acres of located claims in Elko and Eureka Counties, Nevada controlled by the Company. Three large target areas are present. From north to south these targets include Safford, dominantly a silver target with local bonanza grades, Iron Blossom, which appears to be an IOCG copper-gold opportunity and Crescent Valley North, which is a bonanza gold and silver Hishikari vein-type target.
During 2012, the Company conducted target assessment at the CVN Project including mapping and additional geological and geochemical studies and assessment. Approximately four to five combined RC and core holes that were initially planned for drilling in 2012 have been put on hold as the Company’s focuses its resources on the Railroad Project.
Camp Douglas Project
The Camp Douglas Project consists of 277 unpatented mineral claims and one fee parcel totaling approximately 5,026 acres in the Walker Lane Trend in Mineral County, Nevada.
A 30 drill hole and access NOI for the Camp Douglas Project has been approved by the BLM and a reclamation bond posted by the Company. In February 2012, the Company commenced an initial 12 hole core drill program totalling 3,033.7 meters to evaluate multiple targets delineated from, inter alia, the Company’s analysis of historical drill data and preliminary geological work and sampling including a detailed dipole IP survey. Highlights of the 2012 drill program are summarized below:
| | · | ECD12-001: | 9.1 meters of 1.01 gAu/T at the surface (0 to 9.1 meters); and 6.9 meters of 5.72 gAu/T from 164.4 meters to 171.3 meters ,including the best individual sample, 1.2 meters of 8.7 gAu/T from 164.5 to 165.7 meters . The lower intercept is in a zone of continuous mineralization marred by no-recovery intervals. Neglecting the no-recovery intervals, the intercept could be approximately 30 meters of 1.78 gAu/T. |
| | · | ECD12-003: | Long lower-grade intercepts: 15.2 meters of 0.73 gAu/T of 114.3 meters to 129.5 meters , and 12.2 meters of 0.46 gAu/T from 143.3 to 155.5 meters . These are part of a longer interval 96 to 157 meters (61 meters) where every sample has anomalous gold. |
| | · | ECD12-012: | Drilled to follow up the results of ECD12-003. 6.1 meters of 2.00 gAu/T from 47.2 to 53.3 meters , and 4.6 meters of 1.44 gAu/T from 57.9 to 62.5 meters =. These are part of a longer interval 45.7 to 67.0 meters (21.3 meters) where every sample has anomalous gold. |
| Gold Standard Ventures Corp. – Management Discussion and Analysis | Page - 14 - |
| | · | ECD12-004: | Has many short intervals of moderate grade, but the real interest here is the lengthy interval of anomalous gold: 114 meters through the silica-clay lithocap with nearly continuous anomalous gold. |
A review of the drill and other data is currently being undertaken by the Company to determine if additional exploration work including drilling is warranted. The 2012 drill program is estimated to have cost approximately $2.52 million of which $1.60 million was direct drilling costs. The Company is exploring for bonanza-style, bulk-mineable, gold-silver deposits on the Camp Douglas Project similar to several other current and former high unit value bonanza-style, bulk-mineable, gold-silver districts in Nevada. The existence of gold deposits on adjacent and/or neighbouring properties is not necessarily indicative of the gold mineralization on the Camp Douglas Project.
Sampling Methodology, Chain of Custody, Quality Control and Quality Assurance:
All sampling was conducted under the supervision of the Company's project geologist and the chain of custody from the drill to the sample preparation facility was continuously monitored. Core was cut at the company’s facility in Elko and one half was sent to the lab for analysis and the other half retained in the original core box. A blank, quarter core duplicate or certified reference material was inserted approximately every tenth sample. The samples were delivered to ALS Minerals’ preparation facility in Elko, Nevada. The samples were crushed and pulverized and sample pulps shipped to ALS Minerals’ certified laboratory in Vancouver where they were digested and analyzed using fire assay fusion and an atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) finish on a 30 gram split. Data verification of the analytical results includes a statistical analysis of the duplicates, standards and blanks that must pass certain parameters for acceptance to insure accurate and verifiable results.
The scientific and technical content and interpretations contained in this MD&A have been reviewed, verified and approved by Steven R. Koehler, Gold Standard’s Manager of Projects, BSc. Geology and CPG-10216, a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects
For complete assay results, drill hole collar locations, cross sections, maps and core photos, please visit
the Company’s website at www.goldstandardv.com.
Subsequent to June 30, 2013
Railroad Project: As of August 14, 2013 Phase 2 drilling on the North Bullion deposit has recommenced. The initial discovery drilling was from vertical and eastward directed angle holes that provided a nominal drill longitudinal and cross- cutting drill spacing of about 90 meters. The current definition drilling is focused on the high grade portion of the deposit to provide infill and cross over the initial pattern by drilling east to west angled and vertical holes. This drilling will continue through 2013 with the goal of providing an initial deposit model for a portion of the deposit in early 2014.
The Company’s 5 section POO is now in place and bonded for exploration purposes, and when combined with the 4 corner private sections, will allow Gold Standard to more effectively access and drill several target opportunities within this composite 9 square mile area. The POO allows up to 200 acres of total disturbance. Targets outside of this area will require 5 acre NOIs on the alternating public sections, and permitting for greater than 5 acres on the private sections of the Railroad Project.
Important follow-up drilling is also being planned for the Central Bullion target discovery indicated by core hole RRB12-03: 6.1 meters of 44.6 gAg/T and 0.25% Cu from 76.2 to 82.3 meters,; 19.8 meters of 104.9 gAg/T and 0.8% Cu from 13.7 to 33.5 meters; and 56.9 meters of 58.3 gAg/T and 0.78% Cu from 278.3 to 335.2 meters , including 13.4 meters of 220 gAg/T and 2.48%Cu. The POO also provides the Company with better access to drill the Railroad fault zone target including the western extensions thereof, the Cherry Springs target, and perhaps most importantly the southern extension of the important and now credentialed Bullion Fault Zone target.
| Gold Standard Ventures Corp. – Management Discussion and Analysis | Page - 15 - |
Camp Douglas Project:
As of August 14, 2013, drilling is complete. The initial drill program tested multiple target opportunities identified through detailed geological mapping, surface sampling, and district-wide dipole IP (induced polarization/resistivity) survey. The drilling program was completed in the 3rd quarter of 2012; however, due to the Company’s focus on the Railroad Project, logging and assaying of the holes was slowed and final drill assays are currently being reviewed and evaluated by the Company for future decision making purposes. In the first quarter of 2013, a gravity survey was conducted over the property, at the recommendation of Wright Geophysics, in order to provide basement depth definition for identification of major, potential mineralized structures within the prospective volcanic rock package. One such structure was identified and this structure coincides with the two best intercept holes drilled in 2012: ECD12-001 and ECD12-003. No additional follow-up drilling is at this time planned.
Liquidity, Financial Position and Capital Resources
The Company has no known mineral resources or reserves and is not in commercial production on any of its properties and accordingly, the Company does not generate cash from operations. The Company finances its exploration activities by raising capital from equity markets from time to time.
As at June 30, 2013, the Company’s liquidity and capital resources are as follows:
| | June 30, 2013 | December 31, 2012 |
| | $ | $ |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 3,411,340 | 10,785,758 |
| Receivables | 58,446 | 102,953 |
| Prepaid expenses | 134,000 | 85,948 |
| Total current assets | 3,603,786 | 10,974,659 |
| Payables and accrued liabilities | 1,724,036 | 1,838,851 |
| Working capital | 1,879,750 | 9,135,808 |
The Company’s operations consist primarily of the acquisition, maintenance and exploration of exploration and evaluation assets, including actively seeking joint venture partners to assist with exploration funding. The Company’s financial success will be dependent on the extent to which it can discover new mineral deposits.
As at June 30, 2013, the Company had a cash and cash equivalents position of $3,411,340 (December 31, 2012 - $10,785,758), consisting of the net proceeds from the 2012 Financing and the exercise of warrants and stock options. As at June 30, 2013, the Company had a surplus working capital position of $1,879,750 (December 31, 2012 - $9,135,808).
Given its current cash and working capital positions, the Company’s budget for the remainder of fiscal 2013 provides for estimated mineral property lease obligations and tax levies of approximately $950,000, estimated overhead expenditures of $1,300,000 and a minimum exploration budget of approximately $3,000,000. Contingent upon receipt of additional financing, the Company intends to increase its budgeted exploration expenditures for the balance of 2013 with a view to accelerating the Phase 2 drill program on the Railroad Project.
| Gold Standard Ventures Corp. – Management Discussion and Analysis | Page - 16 - |
Subsequent to June 30, 2013, the Company closed a marketed private placement whereby 7,936,508 shares at $0.63 per share were issued for gross proceeds of $5,000,000.
The Company’s continuation as a going concern is dependent upon successful results from its exploration and evaluation activities and its ability to attain profitable operations and generate funds therefrom and/or raise equity capital or borrowings sufficient to meet current and future obligations. Management intends to finance operating costs over the next twelve months with current cash on hand, proceeds from the exercise of stock options, and further private placements. See “Risks and Uncertainties”.
Use of Proceeds from 2012 Financing
In June 2012, the Company completed the 2012 Financing consisting of 10,000,000 common shares at a price of US$2.00 (equivalent to $2.0514) per share for net proceeds of $18,650,747, after deducting cash commissions and expenses of $1,863,253. The budgeted use of proceeds from the 2012 Financing are as follows:
| | | $ | | | | | | | | |
| Gross proceeds from 2012 Financing | | | 20,514,000 | | | | | | | | |
| Share issuance costs | | | (1,863,253 | ) | | | | | | | |
| Net proceeds | | | 18,650,747 | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Allocation: | | Budget $ | | | Actual $ as of June 30, 2013 | | | Variances $ | |
| Railroad Project | | | 15,357,806 | | | | 15,357,806 | | | | - | |
| General corporate purposes | | | 3,292,941 | | | | 3,292,941 | | | | - | |
| | | | 18,650,747 | | | | 18,650,747 | | | | - | |
The Company used part of the balance from the 2012 Financing to partially fund the Company’s Phase 2 exploration program of the Railroad Project and for general corporate and working capital purposes.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company has no off balance sheet arrangements.
Commitments
| a) | On January 1, 2010, the Company entered into a sublease agreement for an office space in Vancouver, B.C. for a term of 4 years and 3 months expiring March 31, 2014 and incurring monthly rent payments of $6,867 per month. In November 2012, the Company assumed the lease and became the primary lessee. |
| b) | On September 1, 2011, the Company entered into a commercial lease agreement for an office space in Elko, Nevada for a term of 36 months expiring August 30, 2014, incurring monthly rent payments of US$4,400. A security deposit of US$2,400 was paid and is included in prepaid expenses. |
| Gold Standard Ventures Corp. – Management Discussion and Analysis | Page - 17 - |
| | | Vancouver Office | | | Elko Office | | | Total | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Payable not later than one year | | | 61,803 | | | | 55,535 | | | | 117,338 | |
| Payable later than one year and not later than five years | | | - | | | | 9,256 | | | | 9,256 | |
| Payable later than five years | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
| Total | | | 61,803 | | | | 64,791 | | | | 126,594 | |
| c) | In March 2011, the Company signed four separate consulting agreements with consultants, officers, and directors of the Company to provide management consulting and exploration services to the Company for an indefinite term effective January 1, 2011 and one consulting agreement with an officer and director of the Company to provide management/administrative consulting services to the Company for an indefinite term effective February 1, 2011. See “Related Party Transactions” below. During 2012, the board of directors (the “Board”) approved certain increases to these consulting agreements such that the total combined payments are currently $72,583 per month. These agreements also provide for a two year payout totalling, on a collective basis, approximately $2,106,242 (including discretionary bonuses paid in 2011 and 2012) in the event of termination without cause and a three year payout totalling, on a collective basis, (including discretionary bonuses paid in 2011 and 2012) approximately $3,159,363 in the event of termination following a change in control of the Company. |
| d) | Pursuant to various mining leases and agreements, the Company’s estimated exploration and evaluation assets lease obligations and tax levies for 2013 are $950,000. See Item 5 “General Development of the Business – Mineral Properties” of the 2012 AIF and the 2012 Financial Statements for details of the various lease payments and other obligations required by the Company to maintain its various mineral projects in good standing. |
Related Party Transactions
During the six months ended June 30, 2013, the Company engaged in the following transactions with related parties, not disclosed elsewhere in this MD&A:
| | i. | Incurred management fees of $110,000 (June 30, 2012 - $96,667) to a company controlled by Jonathan Awde, a director and President of the Company. |
| | ii. | Incurred administrative management fees of $67,000 (June 30, 2012 - $58,333) to a company controlled by Richard Silas, a director and Secretary of the Company. As at June 30, 2013, $6,867 (December 31, 2012 - $6,867) was included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities. |
| | iii. | Incurred financial management fees of $81,500 (June 30, 2012 - $51,167) and professional fees of $Nil (June 30, 2012 - $12,000) to companies controlled by Michael Waldkirch, Chief Financial Officer of the Company. |
| | iv. | Incurred salaries of $Nil (June 30, 2012 - $22,059) and capitalized exploration and evaluation assets expenditures of $111,738 (June 30, 2012 - $88,235) to David Mathewson, a director and Vice-President, Exploration of the Company. |
| | v. | Incurred directors fees of $12,000 (June 30, 2012 - $12,000) to a company controlled by Robert McLeod, a director of the Company. |
| Gold Standard Ventures Corp. – Management Discussion and Analysis | Page - 18 - |
| | vi. | Incurred directors fees of $12,000 (June 30, 2012 - $Nil) to David Morrell Cole, a director of the Company. |
| | vii. | Incurred directors fees of $12,000 (June 30, 2012 - $Nil) to a company controlled by Jamie Strauss, a director of the Company. |
Summary of key management personnel compensation:
| | | For the six months ended June 30, | |
| | | 2013 | | | 2012 | |
| | | | | | | |
| Management fees | | | 294,500 | | | | 226,167 | |
| Professional fees | | | - | | | | 12,000 | |
| Exploration and evaluation assets expenditures | | | 111,738 | | | | 88,235 | |
| Wages and salaries | | | - | | | | 22,059 | |
| Share-based compensation | | | 715,990 | | | | 602,639 | |
| | | | 1,122,228 | | | | 951,100 | |
In March 2011, the Company granted to David Mathewson, a director and Vice-President, Exploration, a net smelter returns royalty of 0.5% to 1% on all properties staked by him and acquired by the Company, subject to certain provisions including a buy-down provision of $500,000 per 0.5%.
In accordance with IAS 24, key management personnel are those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Company, directly or indirectly, including directors (executive and non-executive) of the Company.
Risks and Uncertainties
The business and operations of the Company are subject to numerous risks, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. The Company considers the risks set out below to be some of the most significant to potential investors in the Company, but not all of the risks associated with an investment in securities of the Company. If any of these risks materialize into actual events or circumstances or other possible additional risks and uncertainties of which the Company is currently unaware or which it considers to be material in relation to the Company’s business actually occur, the Company’s assets, liabilities, financial condition, results of operations (including future results of operations), business and business prospects, are likely to be materially and adversely affected. In such circumstances, the price of the Company’s securities could decline and investors may lose all or part of their investment.
Mineral exploration is subject to a high degree of risk, which even a combination of experience, knowledge and careful evaluation may fail to overcome. These risks may be even greater in the Company’s case given its formative stage of development. Furthermore, exploration activities are expensive and seldom result in the discovery of a commercially viable resource. There is no assurance that the Company’s exploration will result in the discovery of an economically viable mineral deposit. The Company has generated losses to date and while the Company anticipates that it has sufficient financial resources to undertake its planned exploration programs for the remainder of 2013, it will require additional funds to further explore its properties. There is no assurance such additional funding will be available to the Company on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Additional equity financing may result in substantial dilution thereby reducing the marketability of the Company’s shares. The Company’s activities are subject to the risks normally encountered in the mining exploration business. The economics of exploring, developing and operating resource properties are affected by many factors including the cost of exploration and development operations, variations of the grade of any ore mined and the rate of resource extraction and fluctuations in the price of resources produced, government regulations relating to royalties, taxes and environmental protection and title defects. The Company’s mineral resource properties have not been surveyed and may be subject to prior unregistered agreements, interests or land claims and title may be affected by undetected defects. In addition, the Company may become subject to liability for hazards against which it is not insured. The mining industry is highly competitive in all its phases and the Company competes with other mining companies, many with greater financial and technical resources, in the search for, and the acquisition of, mineral resource properties and in the marketing of minerals. Additional risks include the limited market for the Company’s securities and the present intention of the Company not to pay dividends. Certain of the Company’s directors and officers also serve as directors or officers of other public and private resource companies, and to the extent that such other companies may participate in ventures in which the Company may participate, such directors and officers of the Company may have a conflict of interest.
| Gold Standard Ventures Corp. – Management Discussion and Analysis | Page - 19 - |
Based upon recent market prices for the Company’s shares on the NYSE-MKT, the Company may not be meeting the NYSE-MKT US$1.00 per share “price criteria” rule. In the event the Company fails to be compliant with that rule and receives notification of non-compliance from the NYSE-MKT, it would have six months to regain compliance prior to commencement of a proceedings for delisting of the Company’s shares on the NYSE-MKT. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to achieve continued compliance with the “price criteria” rule or to successfully defend a delisting proceeding or, if delisted, to have its common shares traded in the U.S. over-the-counter market.
For a more detailed discussion of the risk factors affecting the Company and its exploration activities, please refer to the 2012 AIF which can be accessed on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of the Financial Statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, as well as the reported revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Based on historical experience and current conditions, management makes assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. These estimates and assumptions form the basis for judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities and reported amounts for revenues and expenses. Different assumptions would result in different estimates, and actual results may differ from results based on these estimates. These estimates and assumptions are also affected by management’s application of accounting policies. Critical accounting estimates are those that affect the Financial Statements materially and involve a significant level of judgment by management.
Although management uses historical experience and its best knowledge of the amount, events or actions to form the basis for judgments and estimates, actual results may differ from these estimates.
The most significant accounts that require estimates as the basis for determining the stated amounts include the recoverability of exploration and evaluation assets, valuation of share-based compensation, and recognition of deferred tax amounts.
Critical judgments exercised in applying accounting policies that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognized in the condensed interim consolidated financial statements are as follows:
| Gold Standard Ventures Corp. – Management Discussion and Analysis | Page - 20 - |
Economic recoverability and probability of future economic benefits of exploration and evaluation assets
Management has determined that exploration, evaluation, and related costs incurred which were capitalized may have future economic benefits and may be economically recoverable. Management uses several criteria in its assessments of economic recoverability and probability of future economic benefits including, geologic and other technical information, a history of conversion of mineral deposits with similar characteristics to its own properties to proven and probable mineral reserves, the quality and capacity of existing infrastructure facilities, evaluation of permitting and environmental issues and local support for the project.
Determination of functional currency
The Company determines the functional currency through an analysis of several indicators such as expenses and cash flow, financing activities, retention of operating cash flows, and frequency of transactions with the reporting entity.
Information about assumptions and estimation uncertainties that have a significant risk of resulting in material adjustments are as follows:
Valuation of share-based compensation
The Company uses the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model for valuation of share-based compensation. Option pricing models require the input of subjective assumptions including expected price volatility, interest rate, and forfeiture rate. Changes in the input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate and the Company’s earnings and equity reserves.
Income taxes
In assessing the probability of realizing income tax assets, management makes estimates related to expectation of future taxable income, applicable tax opportunities, expect timing of reversals of existing temporary differences and the likelihood that tax positions taken will be sustained upon examination by applicable tax authorities. In making its assessments, management gives additional weight to positive and negative evidence that can be objectively verified.
Changes in Accounting Policies including Initial Adoption
There were no changes to the Company’s accounting policies during the three month period ended June 30, 2013.
A number of new standards, amendments to standards and interpretations applicable to the Company are not yet effective for the year ended December 31, 2013 and were not applied in preparing the Financial Statements. The Company is currently considering the possible effects of the following new and revised standards which will be effective to the Company’s financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2014 or later:
| | a) | IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments: Classification and Measurement applies to classification and measurement of financial assets and liabilities as defined in IAS 39. It is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2015 with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect any effect on its financial statements from the adoption of this standard. |
| | b) | IFRS 10 – Consolidated Financial Statements amendment provides clarification on investment entitles. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2014 with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect any effect on its financial statements from the adoption of this standard. |
| Gold Standard Ventures Corp. – Management Discussion and Analysis | Page - 21 - |
| | c) | IAS 27 – Separate Financial Statements amendment provides clarification on investment entitles. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2014 with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect any effect on its financial statements from the adoption of this standard. |
| | d) | IAS 32 – Financial Instruments: Presentation amendment provides clarification on the application of offsetting rules. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2014 with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect any effect on its financial statements from the adoption of this standard. |
Financial Instruments and Risk Management
Financial instruments measured at fair value are classified into one of three levels in the fair value hierarchy according to the relative reliability of the inputs used to estimate the fair values. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:
| · | Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; |
| · | Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly; and |
| · | Level 3 – Inputs that are not based on observable market data. |
The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, reclamation bonds, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities. The fair value of these financial instruments, other than cash and equivalents, approximates their carrying values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. Cash and cash equivalents are measured at fair value using level 1 inputs.
The Company is exposed to a variety of financial risks by virtue of its activities including currency, credit, interest rate, liquidity and commodity price risk.
The Company conducts exploration and evaluation activities in the United States. As such, it is subject to risk due to fluctuations in the exchange rates for the Canadian and US dollars. As at June 30, 2013, the Company had a net monetary liability position of US$976,948. Each 10% change in the US dollar relative to the Canadian dollar will result in a foreign exchange gain/loss of $97,700.
Credit risk is risk of financial loss to the Company if a counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents is held in large Canadian financial institutions and is not exposed to significant credit risk.
Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates. The Company is exposed to limited interest rate risk as it only holds cash and does not have any interest bearing debt.
| Gold Standard Ventures Corp. – Management Discussion and Analysis | Page - 22 - |
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its obligations as they come due. The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is dependent on management’s ability to raise the required capital through future equity or debt issuances. The Company manages its liquidity risk by forecasting cash flows from operations and anticipating any investing and financing activities. Management and the Board of Directors are actively involved in the review, planning, and approval of significant expenditures and commitments.
The ability of the Company to explore and develop its exploration and evaluation assets and the future profitability of the Company are directly related to the price of gold. The Company monitors gold prices to determine the appropriate course of action to be taken.
Disclosure of Data for Outstanding Common Shares, Options and Warrants
As at August 14, 2013, the Company has 91,756,618 outstanding common shares, 5,975,000 outstanding stock options, with a weighted average exercise price of $0.94 per share and expiring from February 1, 2014 to May 23, 2018, and no outstanding warrants.
Corporate Governance
The Company’s Board and its committees substantially follow the recommended corporate governance guidelines for public companies under applicable Canadian securities legislation and the rules of the NYSE-MKT to ensure transparency and accountability to shareholders. The current Board is comprised of 7 individuals, 4 of whom are neither executive officers nor employees of the Company and are unrelated in that they are independent of management. The Company’s audit committee is comprised of 3 directors, all of whom are independent of management.
Internal Control over Financial Reporting Procedures
National Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings (“NI 52-109”) of the Canadian Securities Administrators (“CSA”) requires the Company to issue concurrently with the filing of its annual and interim filings a “Certification of Annual Filings” and “Certification of Interim Filings”, respectively (each a “Certification”). The Certification requires the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (together the “Certifying Officers”) to state that they are responsible for establishing and maintaining Disclosure Controls and Procedures (DC&P) and Internal Control Over Financial Reporting (ICFR) as defined in NI 52-109.
The Certification requires the Certifying Officers to state that they designed DC&P, or caused it to be designed under their supervision, to provide reasonable assurance that: (i) material information relating to the Company is made known to the Certifying Officers by others; and (ii) information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports filed with, or submitted to, securities regulatory authorities is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified under Canadian securities legislation. In addition, the Certification requires the Certifying Officers to state that they have designed ICFR, or caused it to be designed under their supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes.
| Gold Standard Ventures Corp. – Management Discussion and Analysis | Page - 23 - |
In designing the Company’s ICFR, the Company has adopted the “Internal Control – Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
However, due to the inherent limitations in any control system, ICFR may not prevent or detect all misstatements and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that DC&P will detect or uncover every situation involving the failure of persons to disclose material information otherwise required to be set forth in periodic reports. Also projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. The Company’s ICFR and DC&P are designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes and that material information relating to the Company is made known to the Certifying Officers by others and that the requisite information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified under Canadian securities legislation.
The Company’s Certifying Officers evaluated, or caused to be evaluated under their supervision, the effectiveness of the Company’s DC&P and ICFR as at June 30, 2013 and concluded, based on such evaluation, that there were no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in the design or effectiveness of the Company’s DC&P and ICFR at that time.
There have been no changes in the Company’s ICFR that occurred during the three months ended June 30, 2013 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s ICFR.
Other MD&A Requirements
Additional information relating to the Company may be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov including, but not limited to:
| | · | the Company’s AIF dated March 28, 2013 for the year ended December 31, 2012; |
| | · | the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012; |
| | · | the Company’s annual MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2012; and |
| | · | the Company’s condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013. |
This MD&A has been approved by the Board effective August 14, 2013.
