Galiano Gold (GAU) 40-F 26 Mar 21 2020 FY Annual report (Canada) Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020shares
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Galiano Gold Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001377757
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Type	40-F
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2020
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	224,253,522
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Emerging Growth Company	true
Entity Ex Transition Period	false
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 62,151	$ 31,109
Receivables	186	161
Receivable due from related party	2,675	4,183
Prepaid expenses and deposits	529	347
Total current assets	65,541	35,800
Non-current assets
Financial assets	78,299	108,025
Investment in Joint Venture	59,159	0
Right-of-use asset	485	589
Property, plant and equipment	106	90
Total non-current assets	138,049	108,704
Total assets	203,590	144,504
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	3,524	2,234
Lease liability	94	83
Total current liabilities	3,618	2,317
Non-current liabilities
Long-term incentive plan liabilities	668	416
Lease liability	421	514
Total non-current liabilities	1,089	930
Total liabilities	4,707	3,247
Equity
Share capital	578,750	578,385
Equity reserves	49,957	50,072
Accumulated deficit	(429,824)	(487,200)
Total equity	198,883	141,257
Total liabilities and equity	$ 203,590	$ 144,504

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPER

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Income Statement
Share of net income (loss) related to joint venture	$ 59,159	$ (126,264)
Service fee earned as operators of joint venture	4,917	4,963
General and administrative expenses	(14,757)	(11,828)
Income (loss) from operations and joint venture	49,319	(133,129)
Finance income	8,325	871
Finance expense	(45)	(35,650)
Foreign exchange loss	(223)	(20)
Net income (loss) after tax and comprehensive income (loss) for the year	$ 57,376	$ (167,928)
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.26	$ (0.74)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.26	$ (0.74)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	223,655,880	225,867,169
Diluted (in shares)	224,919,474	225,867,169

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHAN

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Share capital [Member]	Equity reserves [Member]	Accumulated deficit [Member]	Total
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 578,853	$ 49,261	$ (319,272)	$ 308,842
Beginning Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2018				225,804,614
Statements [Line Items]
Issued pursuant to exercise of share-based options	490	(158)		$ 332
Issued pursuant to exercise of share-based options (shares)				403,116
Shares repurchased and cancelled under normal course issuer bid	(958)			$ (958)
Shares repurchased and cancelled under normal course issuer bid (shares)				(1,108,920)
Share-based payments		969		$ 969
Net income (loss) and comprehensive loss for the year			(167,928)	(167,928)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2019	578,385	50,072	(487,200)	$ 141,257
Ending Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2019				225,098,810
Statements [Line Items]
Issued pursuant to exercise of share-based options	2,661	(768)		$ 1,893
Issued pursuant to exercise of share-based options (shares)				1,912,775
Shares repurchased and cancelled under normal course issuer bid	(2,296)			$ (2,296)
Shares repurchased and cancelled under normal course issuer bid (shares)				(2,758,063)
Share-based payments		653		$ 653
Net income (loss) and comprehensive loss for the year			57,376	57,376
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2020	$ 578,750	$ 49,957	$ (429,824)	$ 198,883
Ending Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2020				224,253,522

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Operating activities:
Net income (loss) for the year	$ 57,376	$ (167,928)
Adjustments for:
Share of net (earnings) loss related to joint venture	(59,159)	126,264
Depreciation	163	98
Share-based payments	2,168	1,789
Finance income	(8,325)	(871)
Finance expense	35	35,640
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss	(187)	20
Operating cash flow before working capital changes	(7,929)	(4,988)
Change in non-cash working capital	1,525	(3,760)
Cash used in operating activities	(6,404)	(8,748)
Investing activities:
Expenditures on property, plant and equipment	(76)	(39)
Gold Fields investment in joint venture	0	(20,000)
Redemption of preferred shares in joint venture	37,500	10,000
Interest received	506	210
Cash provided by investing activities	37,930	30,171
Financing activities:
Shares issued for cash on exercise of stock options	1,893	332
Shares repurchased under normal course issuer bid	(2,296)	(958)
Office lease payments	(117)	(39)
Cash used in financing activities	(520)	(665)
Impact of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents	36	(7)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents during the year	31,042	20,751
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	31,109	10,358
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	$ 62,151	$ 31,109

Nature of operations

Nature of operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Nature Of Operations [Abstract]
Nature of operations [Text Block]	1. Nature of operations Galiano Gold Inc. ("Galiano" or the "Company") was incorporated on September 23, 1999 under the laws of British Columbia, Canada. The Company changed its name from Asanko Gold Inc. to Galiano Gold Inc. which was approved by the Company's shareholders at its Annual General and Special Meeting on April 30, 2020. The Company's head office and principal address is located at 1640 - 1066 West Hastings Street Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 3X1, Canada. The Company's registered and records office is located at Suite 2600, Three Bentall Centre, 595 Burrard Street, Vancouver, V7X 1L3. The Company's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") and NYSE American Exchange ("NYSE American") under the ticker symbol "GAU". The Company's principal business activity is the operation of the Asanko Gold Mine ("AGM") through a 50:50 joint venture arrangement (the "JV") associated with the Company's 45% economic interest in the AGM (see note 8) and exploration and development of the JV's mineral property interests. The Government of Ghana has a 10% free-carried interest in the AGM. The AGM consists of two neighboring gold projects, the Obotan Project and the Esaase Project, both located in the Amansie West District of the Republic of Ghana ("Ghana"), West Africa.

Basis of presentation

Basis of presentation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Basis Of Preparation [Abstract]
Basis of presentation [Text Block]	2. Basis of presentation (a) Statement of compliance These consolidated financial statements have been prepared using accounting policies in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB and Interpretations issued by the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee ("IFRIC"). These consolidated financial statements were authorized for issue and approved by the Board of Directors on March 10, 2021. (b) Basis of presentation and consolidation These consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for financial instruments carried at fair value. All amounts are expressed in thousands of United States dollars, unless otherwise stated, and the United States dollar is the functional currency of the Company and each of its subsidiaries. References to C$ are to Canadian dollars. These consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial information of the Company and its subsidiaries as at December 31, 2020. Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Company. Control exists when the Company has power, directly or indirectly, to govern the financial and operating policies of an entity as to obtain benefits from its activities. Subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company from the effective date of acquisition up to the effective date of disposition or loss of control. All significant intercompany amounts and transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated on consolidation. Certain comparative period information has been restated to conform to the current year presentation. The principal subsidiaries and joint arrangements to which the Company is a party, as well as their geographic locations, were as follows as at December 31, 2020: Affiliate name Location Interest Classification and accounting method Galiano Gold South Africa (PTY) Ltd. 2 South Africa 100% Consolidated Galiano International (Barbados) Inc. 2 3 Barbados 100% Consolidated Galiano Gold (Barbados) Inc. 2 3 Barbados 100% Consolidated Asanko Gold Ghana Limited Ghana 45% Joint venture; equity method Adansi Gold Company (GH) Limited Ghana 50% Joint venture; equity method Shika Group Finance Limited Isle of Man 50% Joint venture; equity method 2 3

Significant accounting policies

Significant accounting policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant accounting policies [Text Block]	3. Significant accounting policies The accounts policies described in this section were those applied by the Company and/or the JV (see note 8) during the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. (a) Acquisitions of subsidiaries and businesses are accounted for using the acquisition method. The cost of the business combination is measured as the aggregate of the fair value at the date of acquisition of the consideration transferred in exchange for the interest in the acquiree. The acquiree's identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities that meet the conditions for recognition under IFRS 3 are recognized at their fair values at the acquisition date. The acquisition date is the date the Company obtains control over the acquiree, which is generally the date that consideration is transferred and the Company acquires the assets and assumes the liabilities of the acquiree. The Company considers all relevant facts and circumstances in determining the acquisition date. Acquisition-related costs, other than costs to issue equity securities of the acquirer, including investment banking fees, legal fees, accounting fees, valuation fees and other professional or consulting fees are expensed as incurred. The costs to issue equity securities of the Company as consideration for the acquisition are deducted from share capital as share issue costs. Goodwill arising on acquisition is recognized as an asset and initially measured at cost, being the excess of the cost of the business combination over the Company's interest in the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities recognized. If, after reassessment, the Company's interest in the net fair value of the acquiree's identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities exceeds the cost of the business combination, the excess is recognized immediately in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). (b) The Company conducts a portion of its business through joint arrangements where the parties are bound by contractual arrangements establishing joint control and decisions about the activities that significantly affect the returns of the investee require unanimous consent. A joint arrangement is classified as either a joint operation or a joint venture, subject to the terms that govern each investor's rights and obligations in the arrangement. In a joint operation, the investor has rights and obligations to the separate assets and liabilities of the investee and in a joint venture, the investors have rights to the net assets of the joint arrangement. For a joint operation, the Company recognizes its share of the assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses of the joint arrangement, while for a joint venture, the Company accounts for its investment in the joint arrangement using the equity method. Under the equity method, the Company's investment in a joint venture is initially recognized at cost and subsequently increased or decreased to recognize the Company's share of net earnings or losses of the joint venture, after any adjustments necessary for impairment losses after the initial recognition date. The total carrying amount of the Company's investment in a joint venture also includes any long-term debt interests which in substance form part of the Company's net investment. The Company's share of a joint venture's losses that are in excess of its investment are recognized only to the extent that the Company has incurred legal or constructive obligations or made payments on behalf of the joint venture. The Company's share of net earnings or losses of a joint venture are recognized in net earnings during the period. Dividends and repayment of capital received from a joint venture are accounted for as a reduction in the carrying amount of the Company's investment. Intercompany balances between the Company and its joint ventures are not eliminated. At the end of each reporting period, the Company assesses whether there is any objective evidence that an investment in a joint venture is impaired. Objective evidence includes observable data indicating there is a measurable decrease in the estimated future cash flows of the joint venture's operations. When there is objective evidence that an investment is impaired, the carrying amount of such investment is compared to its recoverable amount, being the higher of its fair value less costs of disposal and value-in-use. If the recoverable amount of an investment is less than the carrying amount, the carrying amount is reduced to its recoverable amount and a corresponding impairment loss is recognized in the period in which the relevant circumstances are identified. When an impairment loss reverses in a subsequent period, the carrying amount of the investment is increased to the revised estimate of the recoverable amount to the extent that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had an impairment loss not been previously recognized. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognized in net earnings in the period in which the reversal occurs. Similar to the assessment of impairment for subsidiaries, the Company reviews the mining properties and plant and equipment for a joint arrangement at the cash-generating unit level to determine whether there is any indication that these assets are impaired. (c) Transactions in foreign currencies are initially recorded at the functional currency rate of exchange at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the functional currency rate of exchange at the date of the statement of financial position. Foreign exchange gains (losses) are recorded in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the year. Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rates as at the dates of the initial transactions. Non-monetary items measured at fair value in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rates at the date when the fair value is determined. (d) Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and short-term investments with original maturity dates of less than ninety days or that are fully redeemable without penalty or loss of interest. (e) Gold on hand, gold in process and stockpiled ore inventories are recorded at the lower of weighted average production cost and net realizable value. Production costs include the cost of raw materials, direct labour, mine-site overhead expenses and applicable depreciation and depletion. Net realizable value is calculated as the estimated price at the time of sale based on prevailing and long-term metal prices less estimated future costs to convert the inventories from their respective states into saleable form less estimated costs to sell. Production costs are included in work-in-process inventory based on current costs incurred up to the point of dore production. The costs of finished goods represent the costs of work-in-process inventories plus applicable treatment costs. The costs of inventories sold during the period are presented as production costs in the statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the period. Additions to the cost of ore stockpiles are based on the related current cost of production for the period, while reductions in the cost of ore stockpiles are based on the weighted-average cost per tonne of ore in the stockpile. Stockpiles are segregated between current and non-current inventories in the consolidated statement of financial position based on the planned period of usage. Supplies and spare parts are valued at the lower of weighted-average cost and net realizable value. Replacement costs of materials and spare parts are generally used as the best estimate of net realizable value. Provisions are recorded to reduce the carrying amount of materials and spare parts inventory to net realizable value to reflect current intentions for the use of redundant or slow-moving items. Provisions for redundant and slow-moving items are made by reference to specific items of inventory. The Company reverses write-downs where there is a subsequent increase in net realizable value and where the inventory is still on hand. (f) (i) Recognition Capitalized costs of mining properties include the following: — — — — — — — Stripping costs In open pit mining operations, it is necessary to incur costs to remove overburden and other mine waste materials in order to access the ore from which minerals can be extracted economically. Stripping costs incurred in order to provide initial access to the ore body (referred to as pre-production stripping) are capitalized as incurred. Stripping costs incurred during the production stage of an open pit mine are accounted for as production costs in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) during the period that the stripping costs were incurred, unless these costs provide a future economic benefit. Production phase stripping costs are considered to generate a future economic benefit when (i) it is probable that future economic benefit associated with the stripping activity will flow to the entity; (ii) the entity can identify the component of the ore body for which access has been improved; and (iii) the costs relating to the stripping activity associated with that component can be measured reliably. These costs are capitalized as mine development costs. Production costs are allocated between inventory produced and the stripping asset based on the volume of waste extracted compared with the expected volume, for a given volume of ore production. Stripping costs incurred and capitalized during the production phase are depleted using the units-of-production method over the proven and probable reserves of the component of the ore body to which access has been improved as a result of the specific stripping activity. Management reviews the estimates of the waste and ore in each identified component of operating open pit mines at the end of each financial year, and when events and circumstances indicate that such a review should be made. Deferred stripping assets are written-down to their recoverable amount when their carrying value is not considered supportable. Changes to the estimated identification of components and the associated waste and ore within each component are accounted for prospectively. Exploration and evaluation expenditures Exploration and evaluation expenditures include the costs of acquiring rights to explore, exploratory drilling and related exploration costs incurred on sites without an existing mine and on areas outside the boundary of a known mineral deposit which contain proven and probable reserves. Exploration and evaluation expenditures incurred on a mineral deposit, with the exception of acquisition costs and costs arising from the recognition of an asset retirement obligation, are expensed as incurred up to the date of establishing that costs incurred on a mineral deposit are technically feasible and commercially viable. Expenditures incurred on a mineral deposit subsequent to the establishment of its technical feasibility and commercial viability are capitalized and included in the carrying amount of the related mining property. The technical feasibility and commercial viability of a mineral deposit is assessed based on a combination of factors, such as, but not limited to: — — — — Borrowing costs Borrowing costs directly relating to the financing of qualifying assets are added to the capitalized cost of those related assets until such time as the assets are substantially ready for their intended use or sale which, in the case of mining properties, is when they are capable of commercial production. Where funds have been borrowed specifically to finance a project, the amount capitalized represents the actual borrowing costs incurred. Where the funds used to finance a project form part of general borrowings, the amount capitalized is calculated using a weighted average of rates applicable to relevant general borrowings of the Company during the period. Capitalized borrowing costs are depreciated over the life of the related asset. All other borrowing costs are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) in the year in which they are incurred. Borrowing costs are included as part of interest paid in the statement of cash flows. Depletion Mining properties in production are depleted on a mine-by-mine basis using the units-of-production method over the mine's estimated proven and probable reserves, with the exception of deferred stripping which is depleted using the unit-of-production method over the reserves that directly benefit from the specific stripping activity, and will commence when the mine is capable of operating in the manner intended by management. The Company uses a number of criteria to assess whether the mine is in the condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in a manner intended by management. These criteria include, but are not limited to: — — — — — Mining properties in development are not depleted. (ii) Recognition The cost of plant and equipment consists of the purchase price, costs directly attributable to the delivery of the asset to the location and the condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management, including the cost of testing whether these assets are operating in the manner intended by management. Subsequent costs are included in the asset's carrying amount or recognized as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Company and the cost can be measured reliably. Where significant components of an asset have differing useful lives, depreciation is calculated on each separate component. Depreciation Depreciation of an asset begins when it is available for use, i.e. when it is in the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management. The carrying amounts of plant and equipment are depreciated using either the straight-line or units-of-production method over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the life of mine. The significant classes of depreciable plant and equipment and their estimated useful lives are as follows: Asset Class Estimated Useful Life Fixed plant & related components and infrastructure Units of production over life of mine Mobile and other mine equipment components 3 to 12 years Computer equipment and software 3 years Right-of-use assets Straight-line over lease term Management reviews the estimated useful lives, residual values and depreciation methods of the Company's plant and equipment at the end of each financial year, and when events and circumstances indicate that such a review should be made. Changes to estimated useful lives, residual values or depreciation methods resulting from such review are accounted for prospectively. Major maintenance and repairs Expenditure on major maintenance and repairs includes the cost of replacement parts of assets and overhaul costs. Where an asset or part of an asset is replaced and it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will be available to the Company, that expenditure is capitalized and the carrying amount of the item replaced derecognized. Similarly, overhaul costs associated with major maintenance are capitalized when it is probable that future economic benefits will be available and any remaining carrying amounts of the cost of previous overhauls are derecognized. All other maintenance and repair costs are expensed as incurred. (iii) The carrying amounts of assets included in mining interests are reviewed for impairment when events and changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amounts may not be recoverable. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the relevant cash-generating unit ("CGU") is estimated in order to determine the extent of impairment. A CGU is the smallest identifiable group of assets that generates cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets. The carrying amounts of the CGUs are compared to their recoverable amounts where the recoverable amount is the higher of value-in-use ("VIU") and fair value less costs to sell ("FVLCS"). VIU is estimated as the present value of the future cash flows expected to be derived from an asset or CGU. For mining assets, when a binding sale agreement and observable market prices are not readily available, FVLCS is estimated using a discounted cash flow approach for each of the Company's cash generating units (CGUs) to which the individual assets are allocated. The assumptions used in determining the FVLCS for the CGU's include long-term mining plans, long-term commodity prices, discount rates and foreign exchange rates. If the recoverable amount of an asset (or CGU) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment is recognized immediately in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (CGU) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount (however, the increased carrying amount shall not exceed the net carrying amount that would have been recognized should no impairment loss have been previously recognized for the asset (or CGU) in prior years). (iv) Upon disposal or abandonment, the carrying amounts of mining properties and plant and equipment are derecognized and any associated gains or losses are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). (g) At inception of a contract, the Company assesses whether a contract is, or contains, a lease. A contract is, or contains, a lease if the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. To assess whether a contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset, the Company assesses whether it has the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from and to direct the use of the identified asset. At commencement or on modification of a contract that contains a lease component, the Company allocates the consideration in the contract to each lease component on the basis of its relative stand-alone prices. The Company recognizes a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at the lease commencement date. The right-of-use asset is initially measured at cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments made at or before the commencement date, plus any initial direct costs incurred and an estimate of costs to dismantle and remove the underlying asset or to restore the underlying asset, or the site on which it is located, less any lease incentives received. The right-of-use asset is subsequently depreciated using the straight-line method from the commencement date to the end of the lease term, unless the lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset to the Company by the end of the lease term or the cost of the right-of-use asset reflects that the Company will exercise a purchase option. In that case, the right-of-use asset will be depreciated over the useful life of the underlying asset, which is determined on the same basis as those of property and equipment. In addition, the right-of-use asset is periodically reduced by impairment losses, if any, and adjusted for certain remeasurements of the lease liability. The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the commencement date, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, the Company's incremental borrowing rate. Generally, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate. The Company determines its incremental borrowing rate by obtaining interest rates from various external financing sources and makes certain adjustments to reflect the terms of the lease and type of the asset leased. Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability comprise the following: fixed payments, including in-substance fixed payments; variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, initially measured using the index or rate as at the commencement date; amounts expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee; and the exercise price under a purchase option that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise, lease payments in an optional renewal period if the Company is reasonably certain to exercise an extension option, and penalties for early termination of a lease unless the Company is reasonably certain not to terminate early. The lease liability is measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. It is remeasured when there is a change in future lease payments arising from a change in an index or rate, if there is a change in the Company's estimate of the amount expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee, if the Company changes its assessment of whether it will exercise a purchase, extension or termination option, or if there is a revised in-substance fixed lease payment. When the lease liability is remeasured in this way, a corresponding adjustment is made to the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset, or is recorded in the Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) if the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset has been reduced to zero. Short-term leases and leases of low-value assets The Company has elected not to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for leases of low-value assets and short-term leases, including office equipment. The Company recognizes the lease payments associated with these leases as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. (h) General Provisions are recognized when the Company has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. Where the Company expects some or all of a provision to be reimbursed, for example under an insurance contract, the reimbursement is recognized as a separate asset, but only when the reimbursement is virtually certain. The expense relating to any provision is presented in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) net of any reimbursement. If the effect of the time value of money is material, provisions are discounted using a current pre-tax rate that reflects where appropriate, the risks specific to the liability. Where discounting is used, the increase in the provision due to the passage of time is recognized as finance expense in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Asset retirement provisions An obligation to incur restoration, rehabilitation and environmental costs arises when environmental disturbance is caused by the exploration, development or ongoing production of a mineral property interest. The Company records the estimated present value of future cash flows associated with site reclamation as a liability when the liability is incurred with a corresponding increase in the carrying value of the related assets. Discount rates using a pre-tax, risk-free rate that reflect the time value of money are used to calculate the net present value. The liability is accreted over time to reflect the unwinding of the discount with the accretion expense included in finance costs in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Changes in estimates or circumstances include changes in legal or regulatory requirements, increased obligations arising from additional mining and exploration activities, changes to cost estimates, changes to the discount rate and changes to the risk-free interest rates. (i) Revenue is derived from the sale of gold and by-products. Revenue is recognized for contracts with customers when there is persuasive evidence that all of the following criteria are met: — — — — — Revenue from gold and any by-product metals is generally recorded at the time of physical delivery of the refined gold, which is also the date when control of the gold passes to the customer. Revenue from saleable gold produced during the testing phase of production activities is deducted from capitalized mine development costs. (j) Payments to governments that are based on a measure of income less expense are accounted for in accordance with the Company's income tax accounting policy. Payments to governments which are based on gross amounts such as revenue are classified in accordance with the substance of the transaction. For royalties calculated based on production costs, the royalty is presented as an increase in cost of sales. (k) (i) Recognition and measurement The Company recognizes a financial asset in its statement of financial position when the Company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. All financial assets are initially recorded at fair value plus directly attributable transaction costs and classified as either (i) financial assets subsequently measured at amortized cost, (ii) financial assets subsequently measured at fair value through other comprehensive income or (iii) financial assets subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss. The basis of classification takes into consideration both the Company's business model for managing and the contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial assets. A financial asset is measured at amortized cost if the financial asset is held within a business model whose objective is to hold financial assets in order to collect contractual cash flows and the contractual terms of the financial asset give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding. A financial asset is measured at fair value through other comprehensive income if the financial asset is held within a business model whose objective is achieved by both collecting contractual cash flows and selling financial assets and the contractual terms of the financial asset give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding. A financial asset is measured at fair value through profit or loss unless it is measured at amortised cost or at fair value through other comprehensive income. Fair value changes in financial assets classified as fair value through profit or loss, if any, are recognized in the consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). Derecognition A financial asset (or, where applicable, a part of a financial asset or part of a group of similar financial assets) is derecognized when: — — (ii) Recognition and measurement All financial liabilities are initially recorded at fair value less transaction costs. All financial liabilities are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method, except for: — — — — — Business combinations An entity may, at initial recognition, irrevocably designate a financial liability as measured at fair value through profit or loss when a contract contains one or more embedded derivatives, or when doing so results in more relevant information, because either (a) it eliminates or significantly reduces a measurement or recognition inconsistency (i.e. an accounting mismatch); or (b) a group of financial liabilities or financial assets and financial liabilities is managed and its performance is evaluated on a fair value basis. Fair value changes of financial liabilities classified as fair value through profit or loss, if any, are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). (l) The Company has a share option plan and share unit plan which are described in note 11. For share options, the fair value of share-based compensation awards is determined at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Company records all share-based compensation for options using the fair value method with graded vesting. Under the fair value method, share-based payments are measured at the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the equity instruments issued or liabilities incurred, whichever is more reliably measurable, and are charged over the vesting period to the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The offset is credited to Equity reserves (within equity in the consolidated statement of financial position) ratably over the vesting period, after adjusting for the number of awards that are expected to vest. Expenses recognized for forfeited awards are reversed. For awards that are cancelled, any expense not yet recognized is recognized immediately in the statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Where the terms of an equity-settled award are modified, as a minimum an expense is recognized as if the terms had not been modified over the original vesting period. In addition, an expense is recognized for any modification which increases the total fair value of the share-based payment arrangement as measured at the date of modification, over the remainder of the vesting period. For cash-settled share-based payments, including restricted share units ("RSU"), the Company measures the goods or services acquired and the liability incurred at the fair value of the liability. The corresponding share-based compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period of the award. As these awards will be settled in cash, the liability is remeasured at fair value at each reporting period and at the date of settlement, with changes in fair value recognized in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) in the period incurred. (m) Income tax on the profit or loss for the periods presented comprises current and deferred income tax. Income tax is recognized in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) except to the extent that it relates to items recognized directly in equity, in which case it is recognized in equity. Current income tax expense is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at period end, adjusted for amendments to tax payable with regards to previous years. Deferred income tax is recognized in respect of unused tax losses, tax credits and temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. Deferred tax is measured at the tax rates that are expected to be applied to temporary differences when they reverse, based on the tax rates that have been substantively enacted at the reporting date. A deferred income tax asset is recognized only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the asset can be utilized. To the extent that the Company does not consider it probable that a future income tax asset will be recovered, it does not recognize the asset. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities and when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Company intends to settle its tax assets and liabilities on a net basis. The Company records foreign exchange gains and losses representing the impacts of movements in foreign exchange rates on the tax bases of non-monetary assets and liabilities which are denominated in foreign currencies. Foreign exchange gains and losses relating to the translation of the deferred income tax balance from local statutory accounts to functional currency accounts are included in deferred income tax expense or recovery in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). (n) Basic income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The computation of diluted income (loss) per share assumes the conversion, exercise or

Changes in accounting standards

Changes in accounting standards	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of voluntary change in accounting policy [abstract]
Changes in accounting standards [Text Block]	4. Changes in accounting standards (a) There were no new standards effective January 1, 2020 that impacted the Company's consolidated financial statements. (b) The following standards and interpretations, which may be applicable to the Company or the JV, have been issued but are not yet effective as of December 31, 2020: Amendment to IAS 16 On May 14, 2020, the IASB amended IAS 16 "Property, Plant and Equipment" to prohibit deducting from the cost of an item of property, plant and equipment any proceeds from selling items produced while bringing that asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management. Instead, an entity recognizes the proceeds from selling such items, and the cost of producing those items, in profit or loss. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2022 with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the amendments to IAS 16 to have a significant impact on its or the JV's accounting policies.

Significant accounting judgemen

Significant accounting judgements and estimates	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of changes in accounting estimates [abstract]
Significant accounting judgements and estimates [Text Block]	5. Significant accounting judgements and estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Management believes the estimates and assumptions used in these consolidated financial statements are reasonable, however, actual results could differ from those estimates and could impact future results of operations and cash flows. The accounting judgements and estimates which have the most significant effect on these financial statements and the financial results of the JV are as follows: Estimates Equity investment in joint venture and impairment estimates When facts and circumstances suggest the carrying value of the Company's equity investment in the JV may be impaired, the Company is required to estimate the recoverable amount of its equity investment through a fair value less cost of disposal or value-in-use approach. Estimating the recoverable amount requires management to make significant estimates about the future life of mine cash flows of the AGM which may include, but may not be limited to, changes to the current estimates of in-situ ounces, ore tonnes to be mined in future periods, strip ratios, head grades, recovery rates, gold price assumptions, mining costs, processing costs, trucking costs, capital and closure costs, as well as discount rates. When facts and circumstances suggest the carrying value of the JV's mineral interests may be impaired, the same policies and set of assumptions as described above are applied. Reserves and Resources Estimates of the quantities of proven and probable mineral reserves and mineral resources form the basis for the JV's life-of-mine plans, which are used for a number of key business and accounting purposes, including: the calculation of depreciation expense, the capitalization of stripping costs, the forecasting and timing of cash flows related to the asset retirement provision and impairment assessment, if any. In addition, when required, the life-of-mine plans are used in impairment tests for mineral properties, plant and equipment. To the extent that these estimates of proven and probable mineral reserves and resources varies, there could be changes in depreciation expense, stripping assets, asset retirement provisions and impairment charges recorded. Depletion of mineral interests Estimates are made of recoverable ounces in the JV's mining properties which are depleted based on recoverable tonnes contained in proven and probable reserves. To the extent that changes are made to the estimate of proven and probable reserves, the depletion charge may change. In addition, mineral properties, plant and equipment are depreciated to their estimated residual value over the estimated useful life of the asset. Should the actual useful life of the mineral properties, plant or equipment vary, future depreciation charges may change. Inventory valuation of production costs The JV estimates quantities of ore on stockpiles and in process and the recoverable gold contained in this material in order to determine the cost of inventories and the weighted average costs of finished goods sold during the period. To the extent that these estimates vary, production costs of finished goods may change. Net realizable value of inventory Estimates of net realizable value are based on the most reliable evidence available, at the time that the estimates are made, of the amount that the inventories are expected to realize. In order to determine the net realizable value of gold dore, gold-in-process and stockpiled ore, the JV estimates future metal selling prices, production forecasts, realized grades and recoveries, timing of processing, and future costs to convert the respective inventories into saleable form, if applicable. Reductions in metal price forecasts, increases in estimated future costs to convert, reductions in the number of recoverable ounces, and a delay in timing of processing can result in a write-down of the carrying amounts of the JV's stockpiled ore inventory. Materials and other supplies held for use in the production of inventories are not written down below cost if the finished products in which they will be incorporated are expected to be sold at or above cost. However, to the extent net realizable value of materials and spares must be estimated, replacement costs of the materials and spare parts are generally used as the best estimate of net realizable value. Current and deferred Income taxes In assessing the probability of realizing income tax assets recognized, management makes estimates related to expectations of future taxable income, applicable tax opportunities, expected timing of reversals of existing temporary differences and the likelihood that tax positions taken will be sustained upon examination by applicable tax authorities. Levels of future taxable income are affected by, among other things, market gold prices, production costs, quantities of proven and probable gold reserves, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. Where applicable tax laws and regulations are either unclear or subject to varying interpretations, it is possible that changes in these estimates could occur that materially affect the amounts of deferred income tax assets and liabilities recorded in the financial statements. Changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities generally have a direct impact on earnings in the period that the changes occur. Deferred stripping To determine whether stripping costs incurred during the production phase of a mining property relate to reserves and resources that will be mined in a future period and therefore should be capitalized, the JV makes estimates of the stripping activity over the life of the component of reserves and resources which have been made accessible. In addition, judgement is involved when allocating production costs between inventory produced and the stripping asset; the allocation is based on the volume of waste extracted compared with the expected volume, for a given volume of ore production. To the extent that these estimates and judgements change, there could be a change to the amount of production costs which are deferred to the statement of financial position. Asset retirement provisions Provisions for reclamation and closure cost obligations represents management's best estimate of the present value of the future cash outflows required to settle closure cost liabilities. Significant judgements and estimates are required in forming assumptions of future activities, future cash outflows and the timing of those cash outflows. These assumptions are formed based on environmental and regulatory requirements or the Company's environmental policies which may give rise to constructive obligations. The JV's assumptions are reviewed at the end of each reporting period and adjusted to reflect management's current best estimate and changes in any of the above factors can result in a change to the provision recognized by the JV. Changes to these estimates and judgements may result in actual expenditures in the future differing from the amounts currently provided for. Preferred shares The Company holds preferred shares (without a fixed redemption date) in the JV which have been classified as financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss. Management estimated the fair value of these preference shares by discounting the forecast future cash flows from the AGM. Several estimates were made to determine the forecast future cash flows including, but not limited to, long-term realized gold prices, mineable reserves/resources, mining and processing costs per tonne, ore grades, and metallurgical recoveries. Additionally, judgement was required to determine the appropriate discount rate used to calculate the present value of the forecast future cash flows. Changes in one or more of these assumptions could lead to a materially different fair value estimate of the preferred shares. Judgements Impairment indicators of equity investment in joint venture The Company considers both external and internal sources of information in assessing whether there are any indications that its equity investment in the JV is impaired. External sources of information the Company considers include changes in the market, economic and legal environment in which the JV operates that are not within its control and affect the recoverable amount of the Company's equity investment. Internal sources of information the Company considers include the manner in which mining properties and plant and equipment of the JV are being used or are expected to be used and indications of economic performance of the assets. The estimates and judgements are subject to risk and uncertainty; hence, there is the possibility that changes in circumstances will alter these projections, which may impact the recoverable amount of the assets. In such circumstances, the carrying value of the Company's equity investment in the JV may be impaired or a prior period's impairment charge reversed with the impact recorded in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

Receivable due from related par

Receivable due from related party	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure Of Transactions Between Related Parties Abstract
Receivable due from related party [Text Block]	6. Receivable due from related party Under the terms of the Joint Venture Agreement (the "JVA") that governs the management of the JV (note 8), the Company remains the manager and operator of the JV and receives an arm's length fee for services rendered to the JV of $6.2 million per annum (originally $6.0 million, but adjusted annually for inflation). During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company earned a service fee of $4.9 million (year ended December 31, 2019 - $5.0 million). For the year ended December 31, 2020, the service fee was comprised of a gross service fee of $6.1 million less withholding taxes payable in Ghana of $1.2 million (year ended December 31, 2019 - gross service fee of $6.0 million less withholding taxes of $1.0 million). As at December 31, 2020, the Company had a receivable due from the JV in respect of the service fee in the amount of $2.7 million, net of withholding taxes (December 31, 2019 - $4.2 million). All transactions with related parties have occurred in the normal course of operations and were measured at the exchange amount agreed to by the parties. All amounts are unsecured, non-interest bearing and have no specific terms of settlement.

Financial assets

Financial assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of financial assets [abstract]
Disclosure of financial assets [text block]	7. Financial assets As part of the JV Transaction (note 8), the Company subscribed to 204.9 million non-voting fixed redemption price redeemable preferences shares in Shika Group Finance Limited (the "preference shares"). The preference shares were issued at a par value of $1 per redeemable share, resulting in a face value of the preference shares of $204.9 million, comprising $20.0 million with a determinable redemption date and $184.9 million with no fixed redemption date. a) December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 $ $ Balance, beginning of year 108,025 153,651 Fair value adjustment for the year 7,774 (35,626 ) Redemption of preferred shares during the year (37,500 ) (10,000 ) Balance, end of year 78,299 108,025 As these preference shares have no contractual fixed terms of repayment that arise on specified dates, they are measured at fair value through profit or loss at each reporting period-end. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the JV redeemed $37.5 million of the preference shares, bringing the Company's holding to 137.4 million preference shares in the JV (December 31, 2019 - 174.9 million preference shares). As at December 31, 2020, the Company re-measured the fair value of the redeemable preference shares with no fixed redemption date to $78.3 million (applying a discount rate of 11.6%) resulting in the recognition of a positive fair value adjustment of $7.8 million in finance income for the year ended December 31, 2020 (year ended December 31, 2019 - $35.6 million downward fair value adjustment recorded in finance expense). These preference shares are classified as a Level 3 financial asset in the fair value hierarchy. b) These preference shares had a fixed redemption date based on an agreed upon Essase development milestone, and were initially recognized at amortized cost based on a discounted cash flow analysis. During the year ended December 31, 2019, these preference shares were settled as the Company received $20.0 million from Gold Fields and accretion income of $0.5 million was recognized in finance income in the Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).

Investment in joint venture

Investment in joint venture	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Investment In Joint Venture [Abstract]
Investment in joint venture [Text Block]	8. Investment in joint venture On July 31, 2018, the Company completed a transaction (the "JV Transaction") with a subsidiary of Gold Fields Limited ("Gold Fields"), following which: the Company and Gold Fields each own a 45% economic interest in Asanko Gold Ghana Limited ("AGGL"), which owns the AGM, with the Government of Ghana retaining a 10% free-carried interest in the AGM; the Company and Gold Fields each own a 50% interest in Adansi Gold Company (GH) Limited ("Adansi Ghana"), which owns a number of exploration licenses; and the Company and Gold Fields each acquired a 50% interest in the JV entity, Shika Group Finance Limited ("JV Finco"). Under the terms of the JVA with Gold Fields, the Company remains the manager and operator of the JV and receives an arm's length fee for services rendered to the JV of $6.2 million per annum (originally $6.0 million, but adjusted annually for inflation). The JVA established joint control of the JV and thus the Company no longer controls the AGM and associated properties. As the JV is structured within the legal entities of AGGL, Adansi Ghana and JV Finco, the JV represents a joint venture as defined under IFRS 11 - Joint Arrangements, and the Company commenced equity accounting for its interest in the JV effective July 31, 2018. The following table summarizes the change in the carrying amount of the Company's investment in the joint venture: December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 $ $ Balance, beginning of year — 126,264 Company's share of net income (loss) of the JV for the year 59,159 (126,264 ) Balance, end of year 59,159 — During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company's share of the net loss of the JV of $126.3 million was recorded net of the Company's attributable share of an impairment of $130.3 million (or 45% of $289.6 million) that was recognized by the JV (note 8(xi)). Operating and financial results of the JV for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 Summarized financial information for the Company's investment in the JV is outlined in the table below. All disclosures in this note 8 are on a 100% JV basis, unless otherwise indicated. The JV applies the same accounting policies as the Company. Statement of Income for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 Note 2020 $ 2019 $ Revenues (i) 418,130 340,969 Production costs (ii) (198,347 ) (199,234 ) Depreciation and depletion (vi) (50,934 ) (95,418 ) Royalties (ii) (20,907 ) (17,159 ) Income from mine operations 147,942 29,158 Exploration and evaluation expenditures (9,681 ) (6,092 ) General and administrative expenses (7,434 ) (6,549 ) Income from operations 130,827 16,517 Impairment (xi) — (289,589 ) Finance expense (xii) (3,165 ) (8,905 ) Finance income 285 283 Foreign exchange gain 3,572 1,171 Net income (loss) after tax for the year 131,519 (280,523 ) Company's share of net income (loss) of the JV for the year 59,159 (126,264 ) The assets and liabilities of the Asanko Gold Mine JV, on a 100% basis, as at December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows: December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Note $ $ Assets Current assets Cash and cash equivalents (xiii) 64,254 40,758 Restricted cash — 3,000 Receivables 10,820 9,516 Inventories (iii) 81,675 49,968 Prepaid expenses and deposits 4,841 2,031 Financial assets 68 — VAT receivable 8,911 10,556 170,569 115,829 Non-current assets (iii),(iv),(v),(vi) 280,769 238,781 Total assets 451,338 354,610 Liabilties Current liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 73,102 62,153 Revolving credit facility (vii) 30,000 — Lease liability (viii) 5,608 18,142 Asset retirement provisions (ix) 1,025 — 109,735 80,295 Non-current liabilities Lease liability (viii) 113 5,063 Long-term incentive plan liability 596 402 Asset retirement provisions (ix) 71,668 56,148 72,377 61,613 Total liabilities 182,112 141,908 Equity (x) 269,226 212,702 Total liabilities and equity 451,338 354,610 The Company has provided the following incremental disclosures for stakeholders to evaluate the financial performance and financial condition of the AGM. All amounts in the following tables and descriptions are on a 100% basis. (i) AGGL has an offtake agreement with a special purpose vehicle of RK Mine Finance Trust I ("Red Kite") with the following details (the "Offtake Agreement"): — — — — — — During the year ended December 31, 2020, the AGM sold 243,807 ounces of gold to Red Kite in accordance with the Offtake Agreement (December 31, 2019 - 248,862 ounces). As of December 31, 2020, the AGM has delivered 1,083,180 ounces to Red Kite under the Offtake Agreement. The Offtake Agreement was not affected by the JV Transaction and will remain in effect until all contracted ounces have been delivered to Red Kite or AGGL elects to terminate the Offtake Agreement and pay the associated fee. Included in revenue of the AGM is $0.9 million relating to by-product silver sales for the year ended December 31, 2020 (year ended December 31, 2019 - $0.8 million). During the year ended December 31, 2019, $2.2 million of gold sales related to pre-production activities at Esaase were capitalized to mineral properties, plant and equipment ("MPP&E") of the AGM. (ii) The following is a summary of production costs by nature, on a 100% basis, incurred during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019: December 31, 2020 $ December 31, 2019 $ Raw materials and consumables (54,588 ) (49,560 ) Salary and employee benefits (35,204 ) (33,015 ) Contractors (net of deferred stripping costs) (119,337 ) (97,443 ) Change in stockpile, gold-in-process and gold dore inventories 28,970 (3,056 ) Insurance, government fees, permits and other (17,161 ) (15,749 ) Share-based payments (1,027 ) (411 ) Total production costs (198,347 ) (199,234 ) During the year ended December 31, 2020, the AGM recognized a $16.6 million reversal of previously recorded net realizable value adjustments on its stockpile inventory primarily due to an increase in gold prices during the year, of which $7.7 million was credited against production costs and $8.9 million credited against depreciation expense. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the AGM recognized a $19.1 million downward adjustment to the carrying value of its stockpile inventory to reflect the net realizable value of lower grade ore that had been added to stock during the year, of which $7.9 million was recorded as production costs and $11.2 million as depreciation expense. All of the AGM's concessions are subject to a 5% gross revenue royalty payable to the Government of Ghana. The AGM's Akwasiso mining concession is also subject to an additional 2% net smelter return royalty payable to the previous owner of the mineral tenement, and the AGM's Esaase mining concession is also subject to an additional 0.5% net smelter return royalty payable to the Bonte Liquidation Committee. (iii) The following is a summary of inventories held by the AGM, on a 100% basis, as at December 31, 2020 and 2019: December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 $ $ Gold dore on hand 8,197 2,804 Gold-in-process 1,814 1,726 Ore stockpiles 54,701 29,410 Materials and spare parts 22,152 18,679 Total inventories 86,864 52,619 Less non-current inventories: Ore stockpiles (5,189 ) (2,651 ) Total current inventories 81,675 49,968 As at December 31, 2019, $29.2 million of the impairment adjustment recognized as part of the AGM's LOM plan update was allocated to long-term stockpiled ore. (iv) The AGM is required to provide security to the Environmental Protection Agency of Ghana ("EPA") for the performance by the AGM of its reclamation obligations in respect of the Abriem, Abore and Adubea mining leases. The initial security totaled $8.5 million and comprised a reclamation deposit in the amount of $1.7 million and a bank guarantee of $6.8 million. The reclamation deposit accrues interest and is carried at $1.9 million at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019 - $1.9 million). The AGM deposited the reclamation deposit in a Ghanaian Bank in the joint names of the AGM and the EPA. The reclamation deposit matures annually, but the AGM is required to reinstate the deposit until receiving a final reclamation completion certificate from the EPA. The AGM is expected to be released from this requirement 45 days following the third anniversary of the date that the AGM receives a final completion certificate. During the fourth quarter, the AGM finalized its reclamation bond for the Esaase deposit. The security provided to the EPA totaled $1.1 million and comprised a reclamation deposit of $0.2 million and a bank guarantee of $0.9 million, 50% of which was provided by the Company (note 12). The cash reclamation deposit of $0.2 million is expected to be paid in the first quarter of 2021. Also, during the fourth quarter, the AGM updated its reclamation bond for the Obotan deposit. Total security expected to be provided to the EPA totals $15.6 million and comprises a reclamation deposit of $4.7 million (including the $1.9 million mentioned above) and a bank guarantee of $10.9 million, 50% of which was provided by the Company (note 12). The additional cash reclamation deposit of $2.8 million is expected to be paid in the first quarter of 2021. (v) The following table shows the movement in the right-of-use asset related to the service and lease agreements of the AGM for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019: December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 $ $ Balance, beginning of year 9,429 — Initial recognition of right-of-use assets upon adoption of IFRS 16 — 36,616 Recognition of mining contractor services agreements entered into during the year 5,604 10,502 Depreciation expense (9,407 ) (17,255 ) Derecognition associated with termination of contractor services agreement (2,753 ) (10,343 ) Allocation of impairment — (10,091 ) Balance, end of year 2,873 9,429 (vi) Additions to mineral properties, plant and equipment During the year ended December 31, 2020, the AGM capitalized $54.1 million in expenditures related to mineral properties, plant and equipment, not including capitalized deferred stripping costs, asset retirement costs and right-of-use assets (year ended December 31, 2019 - $25.0 million). Of the $54.1 million capitalized to MPP&E during the year ended December 31, 2020, $8.9 million was capitalized property acquisition costs and exploration costs relating to properties with existing defined mineral reserves (year ended December 31, 2019 - $3.3 million of capitalized explorations costs). Deferred stripping During the year ended December 31, 2020, the AGM deferred a total of $18.7 million of stripping costs to depletable mineral interests (year ended December 31, 2019 - $34.0 million) while depletion expense of $19.6 million was charged on deferred stripping assets and recorded as depreciation and depletion expense (year ended December 31, 2019 - $39.0 million). Depreciation and depletion During the year ended December 31, 2020, the AGM recognized depreciation and depletion expense of $52.7 million (including $19.6 million depreciation and depletion on deferred stripping assets), of which $1.8 million was allocated to the cost of inventories (year ended December 31, 2019 - depreciation and depletion expense of $100.6 million, of which $5.2 million was allocated to the cost of inventories). (vii) In October 2019, the JV entered into a $30.0 million revolving credit facility (the "RCF") with Rand Merchant Bank ("RMB"). The term of the RCF is three years, maturing in September 2022 and bears interest on a sliding scale of between LIBOR plus a margin of 4% and LIBOR plus a margin of 3.8%, depending on the security granted to RMB. Commitment fees in respect of any undrawn portion of the RCF will accrue on a similar sliding scale of between 1.33% and 1.40%. The JV utilized the full value of the RCF on March 30, 2020 and the balance of the RCF as of December 31, 2020 was $30.0 million (December 31, 2019 - $nil). During the year ended December 31, 2020, the AGM recognized interest expense and other fees associated with the RCF of $1.2 million (year ended December 31, 2019 - interest expense of $nil and other fees of $1.7 million). (viii) The following table shows the movement in the lease liability related to the service and lease agreements of the AGM for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019: December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 $ $ Balance, beginning of year 23,205 — Initial recognition of lease liability upon adoption of IFRS 16 — 36,616 Recognition of lease agreements entered into during the year 5,604 10,502 Lease payments made during the year (17,160 ) (15,386 ) Interest expense 732 1,817 Derecognition associated with termination of contractor services agreement (6,660 ) (10,344 ) Total lease liability, end of year 5,721 23,205 Less: current lease liability (5,608 ) (18,142 ) Total non-current lease liability, end of year 113 5,063 During the year ended December 31, 2019, the AGM provided a notice of termination to one of its mining contractors and derecognized the lease liability and right-of-use asset associated with this lease agreement. A termination fee was accrued for at December 31, 2019 and was included in production costs during the year ended December 31, 2019. (ix) The following table shows the movement in the asset retirement provisions of the AGM as at December 31, 2020 and 2019: December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 $ $ Balance, beginning of year 56,148 34,036 Accretion expense 550 903 Change in estimate 16,149 21,309 Reclamation undertaken during the year (154 ) (100 ) Total asset retirement provisions, end of year 72,693 56,148 Less: current portion of asset retirement provisions (1,025 ) — Total non-current portion of asset retirement provisions 71,668 56,148 The asset retirement provisions consist of reclamation and closure costs for the JV's Ghanaian mining properties. Reclamation and closure activities include land rehabilitation, dismantling of buildings and mine facilities, ongoing care and maintenance and other costs. As at December 31, 2020, the AGM's reclamation cost estimates were discounted using a long-term risk-free discount rate of 1.0% (December 31, 2019 - 2.0%). The increase in the carrying value of the asset retirement provisions was primarily due to an increase in closure cost estimates during the year as a result of additional disturbances from ongoing mining operations and a decrease in the discount rate. (x) The following table shows the movement in the JV partners' preferred share investments in the JV for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019: December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 $ $ Balance, beginning of year 349,880 369,880 Investment in JV by Gold Fields — 20,000 Distributions to partners during the year (75,000 ) (40,000 ) Balance, end of year 274,880 349,880 (xi) During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company and its JV partners announced that the scope of the ongoing work associated with the AGM's life of mine (the "AGM LOM") plan would: target a remaining mine life of 8-10 years with gold production of 225,000 to 250,000 ounces per year; contemplate resources based on Localized Uniform Conditioning methodology; be based on NI43-101 standards and consistent with Gold Field's operating practices; be based on Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources using Datamine Mine Stope Optimization software; not include any major development capital investments such as further processing plant expansions or Esaase ore transportation infrastructure; and be based on metallurgical recovery estimates for Esaase fresh ore based on an updated metallurgical model, which would in turn be based on a test-work program currently underway at that time. The Company previously prepared its Amended and Restated Definitive Feasibility Study related to the AGM on June 5, 2017 (and amended and restated on December 20, 2017, the "12/17 DFS"). The 12/17 DFS previously estimated the AGM's remaining life of mine to be between 14 and 21 years (ending 2030 - 2037) with gold production ranging from 108,000 ounces to 497,000 ounces . Given that the target mine life and production was expected to result in the extraction of materially less than the total previously estimated reserves and resources of the AGM, the Company considered this to represent an indicator of possible impairment. Accordingly, the Company assessed the recoverable amount of the AGM, which was based on management's estimate of the fair value less cost of disposal of the AGM. The fair value less cost of disposal of the AGM (on a 100% basis) was estimated to be $211.8 million as at December 31, 2019 and included life of mine cash flow projections, on the basis of the updated scope. The projected cash flows were discounted using a post-tax discount rate of 8.4% which represented the weighted-average cost of capital commensurate with the risks associated with the AGM's cash flows. The Company's estimated gold price considered analysts' consensus pricing for the estimated duration of the AGM LOM plan. The gold price assumptions were as follows: Gold price assumption 2020 2021 2022 to 2024 Long-term Weighted Average Gold price (per ounce) $1,500 $1,425 $1,400 $1,350 $1,373 During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company determined that an impairment of $289.6 million was required at the AGM based on its estimate of the recoverable amount of the AGM. Management's estimate of the fair value of the AGM was classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. As at December 31, 2020, the Company did not identify any further indicators of impairment of the AGM CGU based on information available to management at the time of preparing these audited consolidated financial statements, nor had the indicators of impairment identified in 2019, which gave rise to the above-mentioned impairment, reversed suggesting a possible reversal of previously recorded impairments. (xii) The following is a summary of finance expense incurred by the JV during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019: December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 $ $ Realized and unrealized losses on hedging instruments (366 ) (4,440 ) Interest on lease liabilities (note viii) (732 ) (1,817 ) Fees and expenses associated with RCF (note vii) (1,198 ) (1,670 ) Accretion charges on asset retirement provisions (note ix) (550 ) (903 ) Other (319 ) (75 ) Total finance expense (3,165 ) (8,905 ) (xiii) December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 $ $ Cash provided by (used in): Operating cash flow before working capital changes 183,065 109,785 Operating activities 152,322 120,375 Investing activities (69,108 ) (62,672 ) Financing activities (62,590 ) (35,272 ) Impact of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents (128 ) (321 ) Increase in cash and cash equivalents during the year 20,496 22,110 Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of year 43,758 21,648 Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of year 64,254 43,758

Right-of-use asset and lease li

Right-of-use asset and lease liability	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Presentation Of Leases For Lessee Abstract
Right-of-use asset and lease liability	9. Right-of-use asset and lease liability During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company entered into a lease agreement for corporate office space with an effective date of September 1, 2019. Upon obtaining the contractual right to use the new office space, the Company recognized a right-of-use asset and corresponding lease liability for the office space lease agreement in accordance with IFRS 16, amounting to $0.6 million. The following table shows the movement in the right-of-use asset related to a corporate office space lease agreement for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 $ $ Balance, beginning of year 589 — Recognition of office space lease agreement entered into during the year — 624 Depreciation expense for the year (104 ) (35 ) Balance, end of year 485 589 The following table shows the movement in the lease liability related to a corporate office space lease agreement for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019: December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 $ $ Balance, beginning of year 597 — Recognition of office space lease agreement entered into during the year — 624 Lease payments made during the year (117 ) (39 ) Interest expense 35 12 Total lease liability 515 597 Less: current lease liability (94 ) (83 ) Total non-current lease liability 421 514

Share capital

Share capital	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of classes of share capital [abstract]
Share capital [Text Block]	10. Share capital (a) Authorized: Unlimited common shares without par value or restrictions. The Company was previously authorized to issue unlimited preferred shares without par value or restrictions. At the Company's Annual General and Special Meeting of Shareholders held on April 30, 2020, the Company's Notice of Articles was updated to remove preferred shares from the Company's capital structure. (b) Issued and outstanding common shares Number of shares Amount $ Balance, December 31, 2018 225,804,614 578,853 Issued pursuant to exercise of share-based options (note 11(a)) 403,116 490 Shares repurchased and cancelled under normal course issuer (1,108,920 ) (958 ) Balance, December 31, 2019 225,098,810 578,385 Issued pursuant to exercise of share-based options (note 11(a)) 1,912,775 2,661 Shares repurchased and cancelled under normal course issuer (2,758,063 ) (2,296 ) Balance, December 31, 2020 224,253,522 578,750 (c) The Company received approval from the TSX to commence a normal course issuer bid ("NCIB") on November 15, 2019 to purchase up to 11,310,386 common shares, representing 5% of the Company's issued and outstanding common shares. Purchases pursuant to the NCIB are made on the open market through the facilities of the TSX and NYSE American. All common shares purchased by the Company under the NCIB were purchased at the market price at the time of acquisition in accordance with the rules and policies of the TSX and NYSE American and applicable securities laws. All common shares acquired by the Company under the NCIB were cancelled and purchases were funded out of the Company's working capital. The NCIB had a term of one-year and was terminated on November 14, 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company repurchased for cancellation a total of 2,758,063 common shares under the NCIB program for $2.3 million (year ended December 31, 2019 - repurchased and cancelled 1,108,920 common shares for $1.0 million). For the year ended December 31, 2020, the weighted average acquisition price was $0.83 per share (year ended December 31, 2019 - $0.86 per share). Over the term of the NCIB, the Company repurchased and cancelled a total of 3,866,983 common shares for $3.3 million, at a weighted average price of $0.84 per share. (d) ("ATM") On June 25, 2020, the Company entered into an ATM agreement with H.C. Wainwright & Co. and Cormark Securities (the "Agents"). Under the ATM agreement, the Company may, at its discretion and from time-to-time during the term of the ATM agreement, sell through the Agents common shares of the Company for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of up to $50.0 million (the "Offering"). The Company expects to use any net proceeds of the Offering for general corporate and working capital requirements, including, but not limited to, funding ongoing exploration and operations at the Asanko Gold Mine, funding the Company's working capital requirements, repaying indebtedness outstanding from time to time, completing future acquisitions and/or for other corporate purposes. Sales of common shares will be made through "at-the-market distributions" as defined in the Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 44-102 - Shelf Distributions, including sales made directly on the NYSE American, or any other recognized marketplace upon which the Company's common shares are listed or quoted or where the common shares are traded in the United States. No offers or sales of common shares will be made in Canada on the Toronto Stock Exchange or other trading markets in Canada. The Company will pay the Agents a commission of 3.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds from each sale of common shares. The Company will determine, in its sole discretion, the date, price and number of common shares to be sold under the Offering, if any. Any common shares sold in the Offering will be distributed at market prices or prices related to prevailing market prices from time to time. The Company is not required to sell any common shares under the Offering at any time. The Offering was made by way of a prospectus supplement dated June 25, 2020 (the "Prospectus Supplement") to the Company's existing U.S. registration statement on Form F-10 (the "Registration Statement") and Canadian short form base shelf prospectus (the "Base Shelf Prospectus") each dated June 11, 2020. The Prospectus Supplement relating to the Offering has been filed with the securities commissions in each of the provinces and territories of Canada (other than Québec) and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The Prospectus Supplement and the Registration Statement are available on the SEC's website and the Prospectus Supplement (together with the related Base Shelf Prospectus) is available on the SEDAR website maintained by the Canadian Securities Administrators. In addition, in connection with Gold Fields existing pre-emptive right to maintain its 9.9% pro rata ownership interest in the Company, the Company has agreed to sell to Gold Fields, from time to time during the term of the Offering at Gold Fields' election, on a private basis, such number of common shares as represent 9.9% of the common shares issued under the Offering, if any. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company did not issue any common shares under the Offering.

Equity reserves

Equity reserves	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of reserves within equity [abstract]
Equity reserves [Text Block]	11. Equity reserves At the Company's Annual General and Special Meeting of shareholders on April 30, 2020, the shareholders approved the Company's amended and restated Share Unit Plan dated April 30, 2020 (the "Share Unit Plan"). Under the Share Unit Plan, the Company is able to issue a combination of equity-settled RSUs, performance share units ("PSUs") and deferred share units ("DSUs") up to 5% of the outstanding common shares of the Company, provided that the total number of stock options and equity-settled RSUs, PSUs and DSUs do not exceed 9% of the Company's outstanding common shares. The Company's Board (at its sole discretion) may designate future grants of RSUs, PSUs and DSUs to be settled in either cash, equity or a combination thereof. Prior to the approval of the amended and restated Share Unit Plan, the Company had an approved Restricted and Performance Share Unit Cash Plan (the "RSU Plan"). Under the RSU Plan, the Company granted share units from time to time to its directors, officers and employees. RSUs are awards for service which upon vesting and settlement entitled the recipient to receive a cash payment equal to the fair market value of a common share at the vesting date. The Board, at its sole discretion, determined any and all vesting conditions of granted RSUs. All RSUs granted in 2020 were under this RSU Plan. (a) Stock options The Company maintains a rolling stock option plan providing for the issuance of stock options to its directors, officers, employees and other service providers. Options granted vest 33% every twelve months following the grant date for a total vesting period of three years. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recognized share-based payments expense relating to stock options of $0.7 million (year ended December 31, 2019 - share-based payments expense relating to stock options of $1.0 million). Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2020, 1,912,775 stock options with a weighted average exercise price of C$1.33 were exercised by directors, officers and/or employees of the Company for total aggregate proceeds of $1.9 million (year ended December 31, 2019 - 403,116 stock options exercised with a weighted average exercise price of C$1.09 for total aggregate proceeds of $0.3 million) The following table is a reconciliation of the movement in share-based options for the year: Number of Options Weighted average exercise price C$ Balance, December 31, 2018 13,482,427 2.22 Granted 3,803,700 0.99 Exercised (403,116 ) 1.09 Cancelled/Expired (4,314,649 ) 2.07 Balance, December 31, 2019 12,568,362 1.93 Granted 4,676,000 1.39 Exercised (1,912,775 ) 1.33 Cancelled/Expired/Forfeited (7,000,767 ) 1.88 Balance, December 31, 2020 8,330,820 1.81 The fair value of the share-based options granted is determined using the Black Scholes pricing model. For all grants during the year ended December 31, 2020, the weighted average expected life, dividend yield and forfeiture rate were 3.86 years, nil nil Other conditions and assumptions used in the Black Scholes models were as follows: Number of options granted Weighted average exercise price Weighted average risk-free interest rate Weighted average volatility Weighted average Black-Scholes value assigned C$ C$ Year ended December 31, 2019 3,803,700 0.99 2.38% 66.93% 0.50 Year ended December 31, 2020 4,676,000 1.39 0.72% 62.92% 0.59 The following table summarizes the share-based options outstanding and exercisable as at December 31, 2020: Total options outstanding Total options exercisable Range of exercise price Number Weighted average contractual life (years) Weighted average exercise price C$ Number Weighted average contractual life (years) Weighted average exercise price C$ C$0.00-C$1.00 1,629,336 3.16 0.96 435,000 3.17 0.95 C$1.01-C$2.00 4,878,484 3.41 1.38 969,632 0.91 1.65 C$2.01-C$3.00 323,000 4.33 2.27 30,000 1.36 3.00 C$3.01-C$4.00 1,430,000 1.16 3.96 1,430,000 1.16 3.96 C$4.01-C$5.00 70,000 0.86 4.77 70,000 0.86 4.77 8,330,820 2.99 1.81 2,934,632 1.37 2.76 (b) The following table is a reconciliation of the movement in RSUs for the years presented: Number of RSUs December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Balance, beginning of year 2,243,255 1,455,180 Granted 2,371,700 2,024,553 Settled in cash (844,361 ) (481,622 ) Cancelled/Forfeited (1,349,394 ) (754,856 ) Balance, end of year 2,421,200 2,243,255 For all RSUs granted during the year ended December 31, 2020, the awards vest in three equal tranches over a service period of three years and had an estimated forfeiture rate of 4.22% (December 31, 2019 - 2.56%). The RSUs granted are cash-settled awards and, therefore, represent a financial liability which is required to be marked-to-market at each reporting period-end with changes in fair value recognized in the Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recognized share-based compensation expense in relation to RSUs of $1.5 million (year ended December 31, 2019 - $0.8 million). As at December 31, 2020, the Company recognized a financial liability for cash-settled RSUs of $1.7 million (December 31, 2019 - $1.0 million). The financial liability associated with the cash-settled awards is recorded in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, for amounts expected to be settled within one year, and a separate non-current liability for amounts to be settled in excess of one year. The following table is a reconciliation of the movement in the RSU liability for the years presented: December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 $ $ Balance, beginning of year 1,001 541 Awards vested during the year, net of cancelled/forfeited awards 1,460 819 Settled in cash during the year (803 ) (359 ) Total RSU liability, end of year 1,658 1,001 Less: current portion of RSU liability (1,046 ) (585 ) Total non-current RSU liability, end of year 612 416 (c) On November 6, 2020, the Company granted 1,000,000 cash-settled phantom share units to the Chair of the Board. The units will vest three years from the grant date, but will only become payable upon the Chair's departure from the Board or upon a change of control of the Company, in a cash settlement amount equal to the value of 1,000,000 common shares as at the Chair's departure date or date of change of control. Similar to the Company's RSUs, the phantom share units represent a financial liability, as they will be settled in cash, and will be marked-to-market at each reporting period end and presented in the Statement of Financial Position as a long-term incentive plan liability. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recognized share-based compensation expense of $0.1 million (year ended December 31, 2019 - nil) in relation to the phantom share units and a corresponding liability is included in the long-term incentive plan liability as at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019 - nil).

Commitments and contingencies

Commitments and contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Statements [Line Items]
Commitments and contingencies [text block]	12. Commitments and contingencies As at December 31, 2020, the Company had contractual obligations totaling $4.8 million (December 31, 2019 - $3.5 million). The following table reflects the Company's contractual obligations as they fall due, excluding commitments and liabilities of the JV, as at December 31, 2020 and 2019: Less than 1 year 1 - 5 years Over 5 years At December 31, 2020 At December 31, 2019 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 2,478 — — 2,478 1,649 Long-term incentive plan (cash-settled awards) 1,046 668 — 1,714 1,001 Corporate office leases 126 501 — 627 823 Total 3,650 1,169 — 4,819 3,473 In addition to the above commitments, the Company has provided various parent company guarantees related to the unfunded portion of the AGM's reclamation bond in the amount of $5.9 million. Contingencies Due to the nature of its business, the Company may be subject to regulatory investigations, claims, lawsuits and other proceedings in the ordinary course of its business. While the Company cannot reasonably predict the ultimate outcome of these actions, and inherent uncertainties exist in predicting such outcomes, the Company believes that the ultimate resolution of these actions is not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or future results of operations.

General and administrative expe

General and administrative expenses	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Selling, general and administrative expense [abstract]
General and administrative expenses [Text Block]	13 General and administrative expenses The following is a summary of general and administrative expenses incurred by the Company during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. The general and administrative expenses for the period presented include, but are not limited to, those expenses incurred in order to earn the service fee as operators of the JV (note 6). Year ended December 31, 2020 2019 $ $ Wages, benefits and consulting (9,200 ) (7,723 ) Office, rent and administration (907 ) (800 ) Professional and legal (1,001 ) (452 ) Share-based payments (2,168 ) (1,789 ) Travel, marketing, investor relations and regulatory (1,317 ) (966 ) Other (164 ) (98 ) Total (14,757 ) (11,828 )

Finance income

Finance income	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure Of Finance Income [Abstract]
Disclosure of finance income [text block]	14. Finance income The following is a summary of finance income earned by the Company during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. Year ended December 31, 2020 2019 $ $ Fair value adjustment on redeemable preference shares (note 7(a)) 7,774 — Accretion income on redeemable preference shares (note 7(b)) — 516 Interest income and other 551 355 Total finance income 8,325 871

Finance expense

Finance expense	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]
Finance expense [Text Block]	15. Finance expense The following is a summary of finance expenses incurred by the Company during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. Year ended December 31, 2020 2019 $ $ Fair value adjustment on redeemable preference shares (note 7(a)) — (35,626 ) Interest on lease liability (note 9) (35 ) (12 ) Other (10 ) (12 ) Total finance expense (45 ) (35,650 )

Income tax

Income tax	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Income Tax [Abstract]
Income tax [Text Block]	16. Income tax a) Income tax expense differs from the amount that would result from applying the Canadian federal and provincial income tax rates to earnings from continuing operations before taxes. These differences result from the following items: Year ended December 31, 2020 2019 $ $ Average statutory tax rate 27% 27% Income (loss) before income taxes 57,376 (167,928 ) Expected income tax expense (recovery) 15,492 (45,341 ) Increase in income tax expense (recovery) resulting from: Permanent differences: Share of net (income) loss related to joint venture (15,974 ) 34,091 Fair value adjustment and accretion on redeemable preferences shares (2,099 ) 9,480 Share-based payments 176 483 Withholding taxes — 292 Other 145 (46 ) True-up prior year balances 261 — Effect of differences in tax rate in foreign jurisdictions 8 8 Change in unrecognized tax assets 1,984 1,033 Foreign exchange and other 7 — Income tax expense — — b) The significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows: Year ended December 31, 2020 2019 $ $ Lease liability 139 159 Right-of-use asset (139 ) (159 ) Total — — As at December 31, 2020, the Company has tax lo sses of $ 64.0 million (December 31, 2019 - $ 55.6 million) in Canada which expire between 2029 and 2040. Deductible temporary differences and unused tax losses for which no deferred tax assets have been recognized are attributable to the following: Year ended December 31, 2020 2019 $ $ Property, plant and equipment 48 66 Share issuance costs 18 26 Investment in associate 275 275 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 467 4 Lease liability 8 2 Capital losses 2,476 2,476 Non-capital losses carried forward 17,299 15,035 Foreign tax credits — 724 Total 20,591 18,608 The aggregate amount of deductible temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries for which deferred taxes have not been recognized as at December 31, 2020 was $242.1 million (December 31, 2019 - deductible temporary differences of $175.1 million).

Income (loss) per share

Income (loss) per share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders [Text Block]	17. Income (loss) per share For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share is based on the following data: Year ended December 31, 2020 2019 Earnings ($) Net income (loss) for the year 57,376 (167,928 ) Number of shares Weighted average number of ordinary shares - basic 223,655,880 225,867,169 Effect of dilutive share options 1,263,594 — Weighted average number of ordinary shares - diluted 224,919,474 225,867,169 For the year ended December 31, 2020, excluded from the calculation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding were 5,978,748 share-based options that were determined to be anti-dilutive. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the effect of all potentially dilutive securities was anti-dilutive, given that the Company reported a net loss for the year.

Supplemental cash flow informat

Supplemental cash flow information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Statements [Line Items]
Supplemental cash flow information [Text Block]	18. Supplemental cash flow information The following table summarizes the changes in non-cash working capital for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019: Year ended December 31, 2020 2019 $ $ Receivables and receivable due from related party 1,600 (1,864 ) Prepaid expenses and deposits (144 ) (176 ) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 69 (1,720 ) Change in non-cash working capital 1,525 (3,760 )

Segmented information

Segmented information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of operating segments [abstract]
Segmented information [Text Block]	19. Segmented information As at December 31, 2020, the Company has only one reportable operating segment being the corporate function with its head office in Canada. Total assets in Ghana include the Company's 45% interest in the Asanko Gold Mine JV. Geographic allocation of total assets and liabilities December 31, 2020 Canada Ghana Total $ $ $ Current assets 65,541 — 65,541 Property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets 591 — 591 Other non-current assets — 137,458 137,458 Total assets 66,132 137,458 203,590 Current liabilities 3,618 — 3,618 Non-current liabilities 1,089 — 1,089 Total liabilities 4,707 — 4,707 December 31, 2019 Canada Ghana Total $ $ $ Current assets 35,800 — 35,800 Property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets 679 — 679 Other non-current assets — 108,025 108,025 Total assets 36,479 108,025 144,504 Current liabilities 2,317 — 2,317 Non-current liabilities 930 — 930 Total liabilities 3,247 — 3,247 Geographic allocation of the Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (loss) For the year ended December 31, 2020: Canada Ghana Total $ $ $ Share of net earnings related to joint venture — 59,159 59,159 Service fee earned as operators of joint venture 4,917 — 4,917 General and administrative expenses (14,757 ) — (14,757 ) (Loss) income from operations and joint venture (9,840 ) 59,159 49,319 Finance income 551 7,774 8,325 Finance expense (45 ) — (45 ) Foreign exchange loss (223 ) — (223 ) Net (loss) income and comprehensive (loss) income for the year (9,557 ) 66,933 57,376 For the year ended December 31, 2019: Canada Ghana Total $ $ $ Share of net loss related to joint venture — (126,264 ) (126,264 ) Service fee earned as operators of joint venture 4,963 — 4,963 General and administrative expenses (11,828 ) — (11,828 ) Loss from operations and joint venture (6,865 ) (126,264 ) (133,129 ) Finance income 355 516 871 Finance expense (24 ) (35,626 ) (35,650 ) Foreign exchange loss (20 ) — (20 ) Net loss and comprehensive loss for the year (6,554 ) (161,374 ) (167,928 )

Capital management

Capital management	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Statements [Line Items]
Capital management [Text Block]	20. Capital management The Company's objectives in managing capital are to ensure that the Company has the financial capacity to support its operations with sufficient capability to manage unforeseen operational or industry developments, ensure the Company has the capital and capacity to support the long-term growth strategies of the JV, and to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders. The Company defines capital that it manages as total shareholders' equity, being a t otal of $ 198.9 millio The Company is not subject to externally imposed capital requirements or covenants. The Company manages its capital structure and makes adjustments to it in light of general economic conditions, the risk characteristics of the underlying assets and the Company's working capital requirements associated with ongoing operations and corporate development plans. In order to maintain or adjust its capital structure, the Company entered into an ATM agreement (note 10(d)) under which the Company may, at its discretion and from time-to-time during the term of the ATM agreement, sell through the Agents common shares of the Company for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of up to $50.0 million. As of December 31, 2020, no common shares have been issued under the Offering. The Company does not currently pay out dividends, however an NCIB program was initiated in November 2019 (see note 10(c)) and was terminated in November 2020. The Board of Directors reviews and approves any material transactions out of the ordinary course of business, including proposals on acquisitions or other major investments or divestitures, as well as capital and operating budgets. The Company's investment policy is to invest its cash in highly liquid short-term interest-bearing investments with maturities of 180 days or less from the original date of acquisition. The Company has not made any changes to its policies and processes for managing capital during the year.

Financial instruments

Financial instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [abstract]
Financial instruments [Text Block]	21. Financial instruments As at December 31, 2020, the Company's financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, receivable due from related party, preferred shares in the JV, accounts payable and accrued liabilities and long-term incentive plan liabilities. The Company classifies cash and cash equivalents and the related party receivable as financial assets measured at amortized cost, while accounts payable and accrued liabilities are classified as other financial liabilities and measured at amortized cost. The long-term incentive plan liabilities are a financial liability measured at fair value through profit or loss and falls within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as discussed below. Refer to note 7 for the classification and measurement of the preferred share financial assets. The fair value hierarchy comprises: Level 1 – fair values based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2 – fair values based on inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and Level 3 – fair values based on inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data. The Company's policy for determining when a transfer occurs between levels in the fair value hierarchy is to assess the impact at the date of the event or the change in circumstances that could result in a transfer. There were no transfers between the levels during the years ended December 31, 2020 or 2019. T he fair values of all financial assets and liabilities measured at amortized cost approximate their carrying values given their short-term to maturity. The risk exposure arising from these financial instruments is summarized as follows: (a) Credit risk is the risk of an unexpected loss if a customer or the issuer of a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations. The Company is subject to credit risk on the cash and cash equivalent balances held at banks in Canada, South Africa, and Barbados. The risk of loss associated with cash investments is considered to be low as the Company's cash and cash equivalents are held with highly rated banking institutions. As at December 31, 2020, the Company had a receivable due from the JV of $2.7 million (December 31, 2019 - $4.2 million) and interest receivable of $0.2 million (December 31, 2019 - $0.1 million). Credit risk associated with the related party receivable is considered to be low based on the liquidity of available funds of the JV. Additionally, credit risk associated with the interest receivable is also low given the amount is due from a highly rated banking institution in Canada. The Company expects to receive GST refunds on a regular basis from the Canada Revenue Agency and makes monthly GST filings (as required by law). The Company does not consider there to be a significant credit risk related to the GST receivable balance as at December 31, 2020. In addition, the Company is exposed to credit risk on its preferred share investments in the JV (note 7). With respect to the 137.4 million preference shares, credit risk is mitigated by monitoring the financial condition of the JV on a regular basis. The Company's maximum exposure to credit risk in relation to the preferred shares at the reporting date is the carrying value of the financial asset totali ng $ 78.3 million. (b) Liquidity risk Liquidity risk encompasses the risk that the Company cannot meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Company manages liquidity risk through a rigorous planning and budgeting process, which is reviewed and updated on a regular basis, to help determine the funding requirements to support current operations, expansion and development plans, and by managing the Company's capital structure (note 20). By managing liquidity risk, the Company aims to ensure that it will have sufficient liquidity to settle obligations and liabilities as they fall due. Subsequent to the JV Transaction, the Company has no current direct sources of revenue and any free cash flows generated by AGM are no longer within the Company's exclusive control as the disposition of cash from the JV is governed by the JVA (note 8). However, through a combination of the Company's cash balance, cash flows from its investment in the JV, and the ongoing management fee receipts from the JV (note 6), the Company believes it is in a position to meet all working capital requirements, contractual obligations and commitments as they fall due. The Company's cash flows, however, and its ability to meet working capital requirements and contractual obligations are significantly influenced by the price of gold and the performance of the AGM. The Company aims to manage its liquidity by ensuring that, even in a low gold price environment, it can manage spending and provide adequate cash flow to meet all commitments. As at December 31, 2020, the Company had a cash and cash equivalents balance of $62.2 million (December 31, 2019 - $31.1 million) allowing it to settle current liabilities of $3.6 million (December 31, 2019 - $2.3 million) as they become due. (c) (i) Interest rate risk Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates. As disclosed in note 7, the Company holds preferred shares in the JV which are carried at fair value through profit or loss with fair value determined by reference to a discounted cash flow model. Changes in interest rates would impact the discount rate applied to forecast future cash flows and accordingly the fair value of the preferred shares; however, changes in interest rates would not impact the amount or timing of forecast future cash flows. With other variables, unchanged, a 1% decrease (increase) in the annualized interest rate would have resulted in a $ 3.6 million increase and $ 3.4 million The Company's cash and cash equivalents earn interest income at variable rates and accordingly future interest income is subject to fluctuations in short-term interest rates. A +/-1% change in short-term interest rates would have resulted in a $0.6 million increase or decrease on the Company's interest income for the year ended December 31, 2020 (year ended December 31, 2019 - immaterial change to interest income earned). (ii) Foreign currency risk As at December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company's exposure to foreign currency risk was limited to the following balances: December 31, 2020 Foreign currency amount USD Equivalent C$ (000s) ZAR (000s) $ Cash and cash equivalents 280 6,954 696 Receivables 37 43 32 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (1,769 ) (436 ) (1,417 ) Long-term incentive plan liabilities (2,187 ) — (1,715 ) Lease liability (657 ) — (515 ) Net exposure to foreign currency (4,296 ) 6,561 (2,919 ) December 31, 2019 Foreign currency amount USD Equivalent C$ (000s) ZAR (000s) $ Cash and cash equivalents 195 2,588 330 Receivables 31 34 26 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (1,511 ) (826 ) (1,209 ) Long-term incentive plan liabilities (1,315 ) — (1,001 ) Lease liability (784 ) — (597 ) Net exposure to foreign currency (3,384 ) 1,796 (2,451 ) A +/-10% change in the prevailing exchange rates as at December 31, 2020, with all other variables held constant, would have resulted in a $0.3 million decrease (increase) to the Company's after-tax net income for the year ended December 31, 2020 (year ended December 31, 2019 - $0.2 million decrease (increase) to after-tax net loss). (iii) Price risk is the risk that the future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market prices, other than those arising from currency risk or interest rate risk. Future cash flows from the JV are expected to be received as redemptions of the Company’s preference shares in the JV (note 7). During the year, the JV entered into hedging programs to manage the AGM’s exposure to gold price risk with an objective of margin protection. The fair value of the preference shares would not be materially impacted by a 10% increase (decrease) in the gold price as there would be no change to the estimated timing of distributions made to the JV partners.

Related party transactions

Related party transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Statements [Line Items]
Related party transactions [Text Block]	22. Related party transactions In addition to the service fee earned as operator of the JV (note 6), the Company's related party transactions included compensation paid to key management personnel (being directors and executive officers of the Company), which was as follows for the years presented: Year ended December 31, 2020 2019 $ $ Salaries and benefits 3,291 3,251 Share-based payments 1,096 1,041 Total compensation 4,387 4,292 Key management personnel consist of directors and officers of the Company.

Subsequent event

Subsequent event	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure Of Nonadjusting Events After Reporting Period Abstract
Subsequent event [Text Block]	23. Subsequent event On March 10, 2021, the Board of Directors approved for granting to directors, officers and employees of the Company a total of 4.5 million stock options, 0.9 million PSUs, 0.8 million DSUs and 0.2 million RSUs.

Significant accounting polici_2

Significant accounting policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Business combinations [Policy Text Block]	(a) Acquisitions of subsidiaries and businesses are accounted for using the acquisition method. The cost of the business combination is measured as the aggregate of the fair value at the date of acquisition of the consideration transferred in exchange for the interest in the acquiree. The acquiree's identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities that meet the conditions for recognition under IFRS 3 are recognized at their fair values at the acquisition date. The acquisition date is the date the Company obtains control over the acquiree, which is generally the date that consideration is transferred and the Company acquires the assets and assumes the liabilities of the acquiree. The Company considers all relevant facts and circumstances in determining the acquisition date. Acquisition-related costs, other than costs to issue equity securities of the acquirer, including investment banking fees, legal fees, accounting fees, valuation fees and other professional or consulting fees are expensed as incurred. The costs to issue equity securities of the Company as consideration for the acquisition are deducted from share capital as share issue costs. Goodwill arising on acquisition is recognized as an asset and initially measured at cost, being the excess of the cost of the business combination over the Company's interest in the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities recognized. If, after reassessment, the Company's interest in the net fair value of the acquiree's identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities exceeds the cost of the business combination, the excess is recognized immediately in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
Investments in joint arrangements [text block]	(b) The Company conducts a portion of its business through joint arrangements where the parties are bound by contractual arrangements establishing joint control and decisions about the activities that significantly affect the returns of the investee require unanimous consent. A joint arrangement is classified as either a joint operation or a joint venture, subject to the terms that govern each investor's rights and obligations in the arrangement. In a joint operation, the investor has rights and obligations to the separate assets and liabilities of the investee and in a joint venture, the investors have rights to the net assets of the joint arrangement. For a joint operation, the Company recognizes its share of the assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses of the joint arrangement, while for a joint venture, the Company accounts for its investment in the joint arrangement using the equity method. Under the equity method, the Company's investment in a joint venture is initially recognized at cost and subsequently increased or decreased to recognize the Company's share of net earnings or losses of the joint venture, after any adjustments necessary for impairment losses after the initial recognition date. The total carrying amount of the Company's investment in a joint venture also includes any long-term debt interests which in substance form part of the Company's net investment. The Company's share of a joint venture's losses that are in excess of its investment are recognized only to the extent that the Company has incurred legal or constructive obligations or made payments on behalf of the joint venture. The Company's share of net earnings or losses of a joint venture are recognized in net earnings during the period. Dividends and repayment of capital received from a joint venture are accounted for as a reduction in the carrying amount of the Company's investment. Intercompany balances between the Company and its joint ventures are not eliminated. At the end of each reporting period, the Company assesses whether there is any objective evidence that an investment in a joint venture is impaired. Objective evidence includes observable data indicating there is a measurable decrease in the estimated future cash flows of the joint venture's operations. When there is objective evidence that an investment is impaired, the carrying amount of such investment is compared to its recoverable amount, being the higher of its fair value less costs of disposal and value-in-use. If the recoverable amount of an investment is less than the carrying amount, the carrying amount is reduced to its recoverable amount and a corresponding impairment loss is recognized in the period in which the relevant circumstances are identified. When an impairment loss reverses in a subsequent period, the carrying amount of the investment is increased to the revised estimate of the recoverable amount to the extent that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had an impairment loss not been previously recognized. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognized in net earnings in the period in which the reversal occurs. Similar to the assessment of impairment for subsidiaries, the Company reviews the mining properties and plant and equipment for a joint arrangement at the cash-generating unit level to determine whether there is any indication that these assets are impaired.
Foreign currency translation [Policy Text Block]	(c) Transactions in foreign currencies are initially recorded at the functional currency rate of exchange at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the functional currency rate of exchange at the date of the statement of financial position. Foreign exchange gains (losses) are recorded in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the year. Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rates as at the dates of the initial transactions. Non-monetary items measured at fair value in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rates at the date when the fair value is determined.
Cash and cash equivalents [Policy Text Block]	(d) Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and short-term investments with original maturity dates of less than ninety days or that are fully redeemable without penalty or loss of interest.
Inventories [Policy Text Block]	(e) Gold on hand, gold in process and stockpiled ore inventories are recorded at the lower of weighted average production cost and net realizable value. Production costs include the cost of raw materials, direct labour, mine-site overhead expenses and applicable depreciation and depletion. Net realizable value is calculated as the estimated price at the time of sale based on prevailing and long-term metal prices less estimated future costs to convert the inventories from their respective states into saleable form less estimated costs to sell. Production costs are included in work-in-process inventory based on current costs incurred up to the point of dore production. The costs of finished goods represent the costs of work-in-process inventories plus applicable treatment costs. The costs of inventories sold during the period are presented as production costs in the statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the period. Additions to the cost of ore stockpiles are based on the related current cost of production for the period, while reductions in the cost of ore stockpiles are based on the weighted-average cost per tonne of ore in the stockpile. Stockpiles are segregated between current and non-current inventories in the consolidated statement of financial position based on the planned period of usage. Supplies and spare parts are valued at the lower of weighted-average cost and net realizable value. Replacement costs of materials and spare parts are generally used as the best estimate of net realizable value. Provisions are recorded to reduce the carrying amount of materials and spare parts inventory to net realizable value to reflect current intentions for the use of redundant or slow-moving items. Provisions for redundant and slow-moving items are made by reference to specific items of inventory. The Company reverses write-downs where there is a subsequent increase in net realizable value and where the inventory is still on hand.
Mineral properties, plant and equipment [Policy Text Block]	(f) (i) Recognition Capitalized costs of mining properties include the following: — — — — — — — Stripping costs In open pit mining operations, it is necessary to incur costs to remove overburden and other mine waste materials in order to access the ore from which minerals can be extracted economically. Stripping costs incurred in order to provide initial access to the ore body (referred to as pre-production stripping) are capitalized as incurred. Stripping costs incurred during the production stage of an open pit mine are accounted for as production costs in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) during the period that the stripping costs were incurred, unless these costs provide a future economic benefit. Production phase stripping costs are considered to generate a future economic benefit when (i) it is probable that future economic benefit associated with the stripping activity will flow to the entity; (ii) the entity can identify the component of the ore body for which access has been improved; and (iii) the costs relating to the stripping activity associated with that component can be measured reliably. These costs are capitalized as mine development costs. Production costs are allocated between inventory produced and the stripping asset based on the volume of waste extracted compared with the expected volume, for a given volume of ore production. Stripping costs incurred and capitalized during the production phase are depleted using the units-of-production method over the proven and probable reserves of the component of the ore body to which access has been improved as a result of the specific stripping activity. Management reviews the estimates of the waste and ore in each identified component of operating open pit mines at the end of each financial year, and when events and circumstances indicate that such a review should be made. Deferred stripping assets are written-down to their recoverable amount when their carrying value is not considered supportable. Changes to the estimated identification of components and the associated waste and ore within each component are accounted for prospectively. Exploration and evaluation expenditures Exploration and evaluation expenditures include the costs of acquiring rights to explore, exploratory drilling and related exploration costs incurred on sites without an existing mine and on areas outside the boundary of a known mineral deposit which contain proven and probable reserves. Exploration and evaluation expenditures incurred on a mineral deposit, with the exception of acquisition costs and costs arising from the recognition of an asset retirement obligation, are expensed as incurred up to the date of establishing that costs incurred on a mineral deposit are technically feasible and commercially viable. Expenditures incurred on a mineral deposit subsequent to the establishment of its technical feasibility and commercial viability are capitalized and included in the carrying amount of the related mining property. The technical feasibility and commercial viability of a mineral deposit is assessed based on a combination of factors, such as, but not limited to: — — — — Borrowing costs Borrowing costs directly relating to the financing of qualifying assets are added to the capitalized cost of those related assets until such time as the assets are substantially ready for their intended use or sale which, in the case of mining properties, is when they are capable of commercial production. Where funds have been borrowed specifically to finance a project, the amount capitalized represents the actual borrowing costs incurred. Where the funds used to finance a project form part of general borrowings, the amount capitalized is calculated using a weighted average of rates applicable to relevant general borrowings of the Company during the period. Capitalized borrowing costs are depreciated over the life of the related asset. All other borrowing costs are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) in the year in which they are incurred. Borrowing costs are included as part of interest paid in the statement of cash flows. Depletion Mining properties in production are depleted on a mine-by-mine basis using the units-of-production method over the mine's estimated proven and probable reserves, with the exception of deferred stripping which is depleted using the unit-of-production method over the reserves that directly benefit from the specific stripping activity, and will commence when the mine is capable of operating in the manner intended by management. The Company uses a number of criteria to assess whether the mine is in the condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in a manner intended by management. These criteria include, but are not limited to: — — — — — Mining properties in development are not depleted. (ii) Recognition The cost of plant and equipment consists of the purchase price, costs directly attributable to the delivery of the asset to the location and the condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management, including the cost of testing whether these assets are operating in the manner intended by management. Subsequent costs are included in the asset's carrying amount or recognized as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Company and the cost can be measured reliably. Where significant components of an asset have differing useful lives, depreciation is calculated on each separate component. Depreciation Depreciation of an asset begins when it is available for use, i.e. when it is in the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management. The carrying amounts of plant and equipment are depreciated using either the straight-line or units-of-production method over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the life of mine. The significant classes of depreciable plant and equipment and their estimated useful lives are as follows: Asset Class Estimated Useful Life Fixed plant & related components and infrastructure Units of production over life of mine Mobile and other mine equipment components 3 to 12 years Computer equipment and software 3 years Right-of-use assets Straight-line over lease term Management reviews the estimated useful lives, residual values and depreciation methods of the Company's plant and equipment at the end of each financial year, and when events and circumstances indicate that such a review should be made. Changes to estimated useful lives, residual values or depreciation methods resulting from such review are accounted for prospectively. Major maintenance and repairs Expenditure on major maintenance and repairs includes the cost of replacement parts of assets and overhaul costs. Where an asset or part of an asset is replaced and it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will be available to the Company, that expenditure is capitalized and the carrying amount of the item replaced derecognized. Similarly, overhaul costs associated with major maintenance are capitalized when it is probable that future economic benefits will be available and any remaining carrying amounts of the cost of previous overhauls are derecognized. All other maintenance and repair costs are expensed as incurred. (iii) The carrying amounts of assets included in mining interests are reviewed for impairment when events and changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amounts may not be recoverable. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the relevant cash-generating unit ("CGU") is estimated in order to determine the extent of impairment. A CGU is the smallest identifiable group of assets that generates cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets. The carrying amounts of the CGUs are compared to their recoverable amounts where the recoverable amount is the higher of value-in-use ("VIU") and fair value less costs to sell ("FVLCS"). VIU is estimated as the present value of the future cash flows expected to be derived from an asset or CGU. For mining assets, when a binding sale agreement and observable market prices are not readily available, FVLCS is estimated using a discounted cash flow approach for each of the Company's cash generating units (CGUs) to which the individual assets are allocated. The assumptions used in determining the FVLCS for the CGU's include long-term mining plans, long-term commodity prices, discount rates and foreign exchange rates. If the recoverable amount of an asset (or CGU) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment is recognized immediately in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (CGU) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount (however, the increased carrying amount shall not exceed the net carrying amount that would have been recognized should no impairment loss have been previously recognized for the asset (or CGU) in prior years). (iv) Upon disposal or abandonment, the carrying amounts of mining properties and plant and equipment are derecognized and any associated gains or losses are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
Leases [Policy text block]	(g) At inception of a contract, the Company assesses whether a contract is, or contains, a lease. A contract is, or contains, a lease if the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. To assess whether a contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset, the Company assesses whether it has the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from and to direct the use of the identified asset. At commencement or on modification of a contract that contains a lease component, the Company allocates the consideration in the contract to each lease component on the basis of its relative stand-alone prices. The Company recognizes a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at the lease commencement date. The right-of-use asset is initially measured at cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments made at or before the commencement date, plus any initial direct costs incurred and an estimate of costs to dismantle and remove the underlying asset or to restore the underlying asset, or the site on which it is located, less any lease incentives received. The right-of-use asset is subsequently depreciated using the straight-line method from the commencement date to the end of the lease term, unless the lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset to the Company by the end of the lease term or the cost of the right-of-use asset reflects that the Company will exercise a purchase option. In that case, the right-of-use asset will be depreciated over the useful life of the underlying asset, which is determined on the same basis as those of property and equipment. In addition, the right-of-use asset is periodically reduced by impairment losses, if any, and adjusted for certain remeasurements of the lease liability. The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the commencement date, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, the Company's incremental borrowing rate. Generally, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate. The Company determines its incremental borrowing rate by obtaining interest rates from various external financing sources and makes certain adjustments to reflect the terms of the lease and type of the asset leased. Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability comprise the following: fixed payments, including in-substance fixed payments; variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, initially measured using the index or rate as at the commencement date; amounts expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee; and the exercise price under a purchase option that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise, lease payments in an optional renewal period if the Company is reasonably certain to exercise an extension option, and penalties for early termination of a lease unless the Company is reasonably certain not to terminate early. The lease liability is measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. It is remeasured when there is a change in future lease payments arising from a change in an index or rate, if there is a change in the Company's estimate of the amount expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee, if the Company changes its assessment of whether it will exercise a purchase, extension or termination option, or if there is a revised in-substance fixed lease payment. When the lease liability is remeasured in this way, a corresponding adjustment is made to the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset, or is recorded in the Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) if the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset has been reduced to zero. Short-term leases and leases of low-value assets The Company has elected not to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for leases of low-value assets and short-term leases, including office equipment. The Company recognizes the lease payments associated with these leases as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Provisions [Policy Text Block]	(h) General Provisions are recognized when the Company has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. Where the Company expects some or all of a provision to be reimbursed, for example under an insurance contract, the reimbursement is recognized as a separate asset, but only when the reimbursement is virtually certain. The expense relating to any provision is presented in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) net of any reimbursement. If the effect of the time value of money is material, provisions are discounted using a current pre-tax rate that reflects where appropriate, the risks specific to the liability. Where discounting is used, the increase in the provision due to the passage of time is recognized as finance expense in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Asset retirement provisions An obligation to incur restoration, rehabilitation and environmental costs arises when environmental disturbance is caused by the exploration, development or ongoing production of a mineral property interest. The Company records the estimated present value of future cash flows associated with site reclamation as a liability when the liability is incurred with a corresponding increase in the carrying value of the related assets. Discount rates using a pre-tax, risk-free rate that reflect the time value of money are used to calculate the net present value. The liability is accreted over time to reflect the unwinding of the discount with the accretion expense included in finance costs in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Changes in estimates or circumstances include changes in legal or regulatory requirements, increased obligations arising from additional mining and exploration activities, changes to cost estimates, changes to the discount rate and changes to the risk-free interest rates.
Revenue from contracts with customers [Text Block]	(i) Revenue is derived from the sale of gold and by-products. Revenue is recognized for contracts with customers when there is persuasive evidence that all of the following criteria are met: — — — — — Revenue from gold and any by-product metals is generally recorded at the time of physical delivery of the refined gold, which is also the date when control of the gold passes to the customer. Revenue from saleable gold produced during the testing phase of production activities is deducted from capitalized mine development costs.
Royalties and mining taxes [Policy Text Block]	(j) Payments to governments that are based on a measure of income less expense are accounted for in accordance with the Company's income tax accounting policy. Payments to governments which are based on gross amounts such as revenue are classified in accordance with the substance of the transaction. For royalties calculated based on production costs, the royalty is presented as an increase in cost of sales.
Financial instruments [Policy Text Block]	(k) (i) Recognition and measurement The Company recognizes a financial asset in its statement of financial position when the Company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. All financial assets are initially recorded at fair value plus directly attributable transaction costs and classified as either (i) financial assets subsequently measured at amortized cost, (ii) financial assets subsequently measured at fair value through other comprehensive income or (iii) financial assets subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss. The basis of classification takes into consideration both the Company's business model for managing and the contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial assets. A financial asset is measured at amortized cost if the financial asset is held within a business model whose objective is to hold financial assets in order to collect contractual cash flows and the contractual terms of the financial asset give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding. A financial asset is measured at fair value through other comprehensive income if the financial asset is held within a business model whose objective is achieved by both collecting contractual cash flows and selling financial assets and the contractual terms of the financial asset give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding. A financial asset is measured at fair value through profit or loss unless it is measured at amortised cost or at fair value through other comprehensive income. Fair value changes in financial assets classified as fair value through profit or loss, if any, are recognized in the consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). Derecognition A financial asset (or, where applicable, a part of a financial asset or part of a group of similar financial assets) is derecognized when: — — (ii) Recognition and measurement All financial liabilities are initially recorded at fair value less transaction costs. All financial liabilities are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method, except for: — — — — — Business combinations An entity may, at initial recognition, irrevocably designate a financial liability as measured at fair value through profit or loss when a contract contains one or more embedded derivatives, or when doing so results in more relevant information, because either (a) it eliminates or significantly reduces a measurement or recognition inconsistency (i.e. an accounting mismatch); or (b) a group of financial liabilities or financial assets and financial liabilities is managed and its performance is evaluated on a fair value basis. Fair value changes of financial liabilities classified as fair value through profit or loss, if any, are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
Share-based compensation [Policy Text Block]	(l) The Company has a share option plan and share unit plan which are described in note 11. For share options, the fair value of share-based compensation awards is determined at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Company records all share-based compensation for options using the fair value method with graded vesting. Under the fair value method, share-based payments are measured at the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the equity instruments issued or liabilities incurred, whichever is more reliably measurable, and are charged over the vesting period to the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The offset is credited to Equity reserves (within equity in the consolidated statement of financial position) ratably over the vesting period, after adjusting for the number of awards that are expected to vest. Expenses recognized for forfeited awards are reversed. For awards that are cancelled, any expense not yet recognized is recognized immediately in the statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Where the terms of an equity-settled award are modified, as a minimum an expense is recognized as if the terms had not been modified over the original vesting period. In addition, an expense is recognized for any modification which increases the total fair value of the share-based payment arrangement as measured at the date of modification, over the remainder of the vesting period. For cash-settled share-based payments, including restricted share units ("RSU"), the Company measures the goods or services acquired and the liability incurred at the fair value of the liability. The corresponding share-based compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period of the award. As these awards will be settled in cash, the liability is remeasured at fair value at each reporting period and at the date of settlement, with changes in fair value recognized in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) in the period incurred.
Income taxes [Policy Text Block]	(m) Income tax on the profit or loss for the periods presented comprises current and deferred income tax. Income tax is recognized in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) except to the extent that it relates to items recognized directly in equity, in which case it is recognized in equity. Current income tax expense is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at period end, adjusted for amendments to tax payable with regards to previous years. Deferred income tax is recognized in respect of unused tax losses, tax credits and temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. Deferred tax is measured at the tax rates that are expected to be applied to temporary differences when they reverse, based on the tax rates that have been substantively enacted at the reporting date. A deferred income tax asset is recognized only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the asset can be utilized. To the extent that the Company does not consider it probable that a future income tax asset will be recovered, it does not recognize the asset. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities and when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Company intends to settle its tax assets and liabilities on a net basis. The Company records foreign exchange gains and losses representing the impacts of movements in foreign exchange rates on the tax bases of non-monetary assets and liabilities which are denominated in foreign currencies. Foreign exchange gains and losses relating to the translation of the deferred income tax balance from local statutory accounts to functional currency accounts are included in deferred income tax expense or recovery in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
Income (loss) per share [Policy Text Block]	(n) Basic income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The computation of diluted income (loss) per share assumes the conversion, exercise or contingent issuance of securities only when such conversion, exercise or issuance would have a dilutive effect on income (loss) per share. For this purpose, the treasury stock method is used for the assumed proceeds upon the exercise of stock options that are used to purchase common shares at the average market price during the period.

Basis of presentation (Tables)

Basis of presentation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]
Disclosure of subsidiaries [Table Text Block]	Affiliate name Location Interest Classification and accounting method Galiano Gold South Africa (PTY) Ltd. 2 South Africa 100% Consolidated Galiano International (Barbados) Inc. 2 3 Barbados 100% Consolidated Galiano Gold (Barbados) Inc. 2 3 Barbados 100% Consolidated Asanko Gold Ghana Limited Ghana 45% Joint venture; equity method Adansi Gold Company (GH) Limited Ghana 50% Joint venture; equity method Shika Group Finance Limited Isle of Man 50% Joint venture; equity method 2 3

Significant accounting polici_3

Significant accounting policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Disclosure of detailed information about estimated useful life or depreciation rate [Table Text Block]	Asset Class Estimated Useful Life Fixed plant & related components and infrastructure Units of production over life of mine Mobile and other mine equipment components 3 to 12 years Computer equipment and software 3 years Right-of-use assets Straight-line over lease term

Financial assets (Tables)

Financial assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of financial assets [abstract]
Disclosure of redeemable preference shares with no fixed redemption date	December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 $ $ Balance, beginning of year 108,025 153,651 Fair value adjustment for the year 7,774 (35,626 ) Redemption of preferred shares during the year (37,500 ) (10,000 ) Balance, end of year 78,299 108,025

Investment in Joint Venture (Ta

Investment in Joint Venture (Tables) - Asanko Gold Mine (AGM) [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of joint ventures [line items]
Disclosure of investment in joint venture using equity method [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 $ $ Balance, beginning of year — 126,264 Company's share of net income (loss) of the JV for the year 59,159 (126,264 ) Balance, end of year 59,159 —
Disclosure of operating and financial results of the JV [Table Text Block]	Statement of Income for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 Note 2020 $ 2019 $ Revenues (i) 418,130 340,969 Production costs (ii) (198,347 ) (199,234 ) Depreciation and depletion (vi) (50,934 ) (95,418 ) Royalties (ii) (20,907 ) (17,159 ) Income from mine operations 147,942 29,158 Exploration and evaluation expenditures (9,681 ) (6,092 ) General and administrative expenses (7,434 ) (6,549 ) Income from operations 130,827 16,517 Impairment (xi) — (289,589 ) Finance expense (xii) (3,165 ) (8,905 ) Finance income 285 283 Foreign exchange gain 3,572 1,171 Net income (loss) after tax for the year 131,519 (280,523 ) Company's share of net income (loss) of the JV for the year 59,159 (126,264 ) The assets and liabilities of the Asanko Gold Mine JV, on a 100% basis, as at December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows: December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Note $ $ Assets Current assets Cash and cash equivalents (xiii) 64,254 40,758 Restricted cash — 3,000 Receivables 10,820 9,516 Inventories (iii) 81,675 49,968 Prepaid expenses and deposits 4,841 2,031 Financial assets 68 — VAT receivable 8,911 10,556 170,569 115,829 Non-current assets (iii),(iv),(v),(vi) 280,769 238,781 Total assets 451,338 354,610 Liabilties Current liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 73,102 62,153 Revolving credit facility (vii) 30,000 — Lease liability (viii) 5,608 18,142 Asset retirement provisions (ix) 1,025 — 109,735 80,295 Non-current liabilities Lease liability (viii) 113 5,063 Long-term incentive plan liability 596 402 Asset retirement provisions (ix) 71,668 56,148 72,377 61,613 Total liabilities 182,112 141,908 Equity (x) 269,226 212,702 Total liabilities and equity 451,338 354,610
Disclosure of production costs of joint venture [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2020 $ December 31, 2019 $ Raw materials and consumables (54,588 ) (49,560 ) Salary and employee benefits (35,204 ) (33,015 ) Contractors (net of deferred stripping costs) (119,337 ) (97,443 ) Change in stockpile, gold-in-process and gold dore inventories 28,970 (3,056 ) Insurance, government fees, permits and other (17,161 ) (15,749 ) Share-based payments (1,027 ) (411 ) Total production costs (198,347 ) (199,234 )
Disclosure of summary of inventories held by the AGM of joint venture	December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 $ $ Gold dore on hand 8,197 2,804 Gold-in-process 1,814 1,726 Ore stockpiles 54,701 29,410 Materials and spare parts 22,152 18,679 Total inventories 86,864 52,619 Less non-current inventories: Ore stockpiles (5,189 ) (2,651 ) Total current inventories 81,675 49,968
Disclosure of right of use assets of joint venture [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 $ $ Balance, beginning of year 9,429 — Initial recognition of right-of-use assets upon adoption of IFRS 16 — 36,616 Recognition of mining contractor services agreements entered into during the year 5,604 10,502 Depreciation expense (9,407 ) (17,255 ) Derecognition associated with termination of contractor services agreement (2,753 ) (10,343 ) Allocation of impairment — (10,091 ) Balance, end of year 2,873 9,429
Disclosure of lease liability of joint venture [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 $ $ Balance, beginning of year 23,205 — Initial recognition of lease liability upon adoption of IFRS 16 — 36,616 Recognition of lease agreements entered into during the year 5,604 10,502 Lease payments made during the year (17,160 ) (15,386 ) Interest expense 732 1,817 Derecognition associated with termination of contractor services agreement (6,660 ) (10,344 ) Total lease liability, end of year 5,721 23,205 Less: current lease liability (5,608 ) (18,142 ) Total non-current lease liability, end of year 113 5,063
Disclosure of movement in asset retirement obligation [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 $ $ Balance, beginning of year 56,148 34,036 Accretion expense 550 903 Change in estimate 16,149 21,309 Reclamation undertaken during the year (154 ) (100 ) Total asset retirement provisions, end of year 72,693 56,148 Less: current portion of asset retirement provisions (1,025 ) — Total non-current portion of asset retirement provisions 71,668 56,148
Disclosure of movement inpreferred share investments [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 $ $ Balance, beginning of year 349,880 369,880 Investment in JV by Gold Fields — 20,000 Distributions to partners during the year (75,000 ) (40,000 ) Balance, end of year 274,880 349,880
Disclosure of pricing assumption [Table Text Block]	Gold price assumption 2020 2021 2022 to 2024 Long-term Weighted Average Gold price (per ounce) $1,500 $1,425 $1,400 $1,350 $1,373
Disclosure of finance expenses incurred by the joint ventures [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 $ $ Realized and unrealized losses on hedging instruments (366 ) (4,440 ) Interest on lease liabilities (note viii) (732 ) (1,817 ) Fees and expenses associated with RCF (note vii) (1,198 ) (1,670 ) Accretion charges on asset retirement provisions (note ix) (550 ) (903 ) Other (319 ) (75 ) Total finance expense (3,165 ) (8,905 )
Disclosure of cash flows of joint venture [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 $ $ Cash provided by (used in): Operating cash flow before working capital changes 183,065 109,785 Operating activities 152,322 120,375 Investing activities (69,108 ) (62,672 ) Financing activities (62,590 ) (35,272 ) Impact of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents (128 ) (321 ) Increase in cash and cash equivalents during the year 20,496 22,110 Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of year 43,758 21,648 Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of year 64,254 43,758

Right-of-use asset and lease _2

Right-of-use asset and lease liability (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Presentation Of Leases For Lessee Abstract
Disclosure of movement in the right-of-use asset related to corporate office space lease agreement [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 $ $ Balance, beginning of year 589 — Recognition of office space lease agreement entered into during the year — 624 Depreciation expense for the year (104 ) (35 ) Balance, end of year 485 589
Disclosure of movement in the lease liability related to corporate office space lease agreement [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 $ $ Balance, beginning of year 597 — Recognition of office space lease agreement entered into during the year — 624 Lease payments made during the year (117 ) (39 ) Interest expense 35 12 Total lease liability 515 597 Less: current lease liability (94 ) (83 ) Total non-current lease liability 421 514

Share capital (Tables)

Share capital (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of classes of share capital [abstract]
Disclosure of classes of share capital [Table Text Block]	Number of shares Amount $ Balance, December 31, 2018 225,804,614 578,853 Issued pursuant to exercise of share-based options (note 11(a)) 403,116 490 Shares repurchased and cancelled under normal course issuer (1,108,920 ) (958 ) Balance, December 31, 2019 225,098,810 578,385 Issued pursuant to exercise of share-based options (note 11(a)) 1,912,775 2,661 Shares repurchased and cancelled under normal course issuer (2,758,063 ) (2,296 ) Balance, December 31, 2020 224,253,522 578,750

Equity reserves (Tables)

Equity reserves (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of reserves within equity [abstract]
Disclosure of number and weighted average exercise prices of other equity instruments [Table Text Block]	Number of Options Weighted average exercise price C$ Balance, December 31, 2018 13,482,427 2.22 Granted 3,803,700 0.99 Exercised (403,116 ) 1.09 Cancelled/Expired (4,314,649 ) 2.07 Balance, December 31, 2019 12,568,362 1.93 Granted 4,676,000 1.39 Exercised (1,912,775 ) 1.33 Cancelled/Expired/Forfeited (7,000,767 ) 1.88 Balance, December 31, 2020 8,330,820 1.81
Disclosure of detailed information about options, valuation assumptions [Table Text Block]	Number of options granted Weighted average exercise price Weighted average risk-free interest rate Weighted average volatility Weighted average Black-Scholes value assigned C$ C$ Year ended December 31, 2019 3,803,700 0.99 2.38% 66.93% 0.50 Year ended December 31, 2020 4,676,000 1.39 0.72% 62.92% 0.59
Disclosure of range of exercise prices of outstanding share options [Table Text Block]	Total options outstanding Total options exercisable Range of exercise price Number Weighted average contractual life (years) Weighted average exercise price C$ Number Weighted average contractual life (years) Weighted average exercise price C$ C$0.00-C$1.00 1,629,336 3.16 0.96 435,000 3.17 0.95 C$1.01-C$2.00 4,878,484 3.41 1.38 969,632 0.91 1.65 C$2.01-C$3.00 323,000 4.33 2.27 30,000 1.36 3.00 C$3.01-C$4.00 1,430,000 1.16 3.96 1,430,000 1.16 3.96 C$4.01-C$5.00 70,000 0.86 4.77 70,000 0.86 4.77 8,330,820 2.99 1.81 2,934,632 1.37 2.76
Disclosure of number and weighted average exercise prices of share options [Table Text Block]	Number of RSUs December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Balance, beginning of year 2,243,255 1,455,180 Granted 2,371,700 2,024,553 Settled in cash (844,361 ) (481,622 ) Cancelled/Forfeited (1,349,394 ) (754,856 ) Balance, end of year 2,421,200 2,243,255
Disclosure of RSU liability [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 $ $ Balance, beginning of year 1,001 541 Awards vested during the year, net of cancelled/forfeited awards 1,460 819 Settled in cash during the year (803 ) (359 ) Total RSU liability, end of year 1,658 1,001 Less: current portion of RSU liability (1,046 ) (585 ) Total non-current RSU liability, end of year 612 416

Commitments and contingencies (

Commitments and contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Statements [Line Items]
Disclosure of detailed information about commitments [Table Text Block]	Less than 1 year 1 - 5 years Over 5 years At December 31, 2020 At December 31, 2019 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 2,478 — — 2,478 1,649 Long-term incentive plan (cash-settled awards) 1,046 668 — 1,714 1,001 Corporate office leases 126 501 — 627 823 Total 3,650 1,169 — 4,819 3,473

General and administrative ex_2

General and administrative expenses (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Selling, general and administrative expense [abstract]
Disclosure of detailed information about general and administrative expense [Table Text Block]	Year ended December 31, 2020 2019 $ $ Wages, benefits and consulting (9,200 ) (7,723 ) Office, rent and administration (907 ) (800 ) Professional and legal (1,001 ) (452 ) Share-based payments (2,168 ) (1,789 ) Travel, marketing, investor relations and regulatory (1,317 ) (966 ) Other (164 ) (98 ) Total (14,757 ) (11,828 )

Finance income (Tables)

Finance income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure Of Finance Income [Abstract]
Disclosure of detailed information about finance income [Table Text Block]	Year ended December 31, 2020 2019 $ $ Fair value adjustment on redeemable preference shares (note 7(a)) 7,774 — Accretion income on redeemable preference shares (note 7(b)) — 516 Interest income and other 551 355 Total finance income 8,325 871

Finance expense (Tables)

Finance expense (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Statements [Line Items]
Disclosure of detailed information about finance expense [Table Text Block]	Year ended December 31, 2020 2019 $ $ Fair value adjustment on redeemable preference shares (note 7(a)) — (35,626 ) Interest on lease liability (note 9) (35 ) (12 ) Other (10 ) (12 ) Total finance expense (45 ) (35,650 )

Income tax (Tables)

Income tax (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Income Tax [Abstract]
Disclosure of detailed information about effective income tax expense recovery [Table Text Block]	Year ended December 31, 2020 2019 $ $ Average statutory tax rate 27% 27% Income (loss) before income taxes 57,376 (167,928 ) Expected income tax expense (recovery) 15,492 (45,341 ) Increase in income tax expense (recovery) resulting from: Permanent differences: Share of net (income) loss related to joint venture (15,974 ) 34,091 Fair value adjustment and accretion on redeemable preferences shares (2,099 ) 9,480 Share-based payments 176 483 Withholding taxes — 292 Other 145 (46 ) True-up prior year balances 261 — Effect of differences in tax rate in foreign jurisdictions 8 8 Change in unrecognized tax assets 1,984 1,033 Foreign exchange and other 7 — Income tax expense — —
Disclosure of deferred taxes [Table Text Block]	Year ended December 31, 2020 2019 $ $ Lease liability 139 159 Right-of-use asset (139 ) (159 ) Total — —
Disclosure of temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [Table Text Block]	Year ended December 31, 2020 2019 $ $ Property, plant and equipment 48 66 Share issuance costs 18 26 Investment in associate 275 275 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 467 4 Lease liability 8 2 Capital losses 2,476 2,476 Non-capital losses carried forward 17,299 15,035 Foreign tax credits — 724 Total 20,591 18,608

Supplemental cash flow inform_2

Supplemental cash flow information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Statements [Line Items]
Disclosure of changes in noncash working capital [Table Text Block]	Year ended December 31, 2020 2019 $ $ Receivables and receivable due from related party 1,600 (1,864 ) Prepaid expenses and deposits (144 ) (176 ) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 69 (1,720 ) Change in non-cash working capital 1,525 (3,760 )

Segmented information (Tables)

Segmented information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Disclosure of operating segments [abstract]
Disclosure of geographic allocation of total assets and liabilities [Table Text Block]	Geographic allocation of total assets and liabilities December 31, 2020 Canada Ghana Total $ $ $ Current assets 65,541 — 65,541 Property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets 591 — 591 Other non-current assets — 137,458 137,458 Total assets 66,132 137,458 203,590 Current liabilities 3,618 — 3,618 Non-current liabilities 1,089 — 1,089 Total liabilities 4,707 — 4,707 December 31, 2019 Canada Ghana Total $ $ $ Current assets 35,800 — 35,800 Property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets 679 — 679 Other non-current assets — 108,025 108,025 Total assets 36,479 108,025 144,504 Current liabilities 2,317 — 2,317 Non-current liabilities 930 — 930 Total liabilities 3,247 — 3,247
Disclosure of geographic allocation of the statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) [Table Text Block]	Geographic allocation of the Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (loss) For the year ended December 31, 2020: Canada Ghana Total $ $ $ Share of net earnings related to joint venture — 59,159 59,159 Service fee earned as operators of joint venture 4,917 — 4,917 General and administrative expenses (14,757 ) — (14,757 ) (Loss) income from operations and joint venture (9,840 ) 59,159 49,319 Finance income 551 7,774 8,325 Finance expense (45 ) — (45 ) Foreign exchange loss (223 ) — (223 ) Net (loss) income and comprehensive (loss) income for the year (9,557 ) 66,933 57,376 For the year ended December 31, 2019: Canada Ghana Total $ $ $ Share of net loss related to joint venture — (126,264 ) (126,264 ) Service fee earned as operators of joint venture 4,963 — 4,963 General and administrative expenses (11,828 ) — (11,828 ) Loss from operations and joint venture (6,865 ) (126,264 ) (133,129 ) Finance income 355 516 871 Finance expense (24 ) (35,626 ) (35,650 ) Foreign exchange loss (20 ) — (20 ) Net loss and comprehensive loss for the year (6,554 ) (161,374 ) (167,928 )

Financial instruments (Tables)

Financial instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Foreign currency risk [Member]
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2020 Foreign currency amount USD Equivalent C$ (000s) ZAR (000s) $ Cash and cash equivalents 280 6,954 696 Receivables 37 43 32 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (1,769 ) (436 ) (1,417 ) Long-term incentive plan liabilities (2,187 ) — (1,715 ) Lease liability (657 ) — (515 ) Net exposure to foreign currency (4,296 ) 6,561 (2,919 ) December 31, 2019 Foreign currency amount USD Equivalent C$ (000s) ZAR (000s) $ Cash and cash equivalents 195 2,588 330 Receivables 31 34 26 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (1,511 ) (826 ) (1,209 ) Long-term incentive plan liabilities (1,315 ) — (1,001 ) Lease liability (784 ) — (597 ) Net exposure to foreign currency (3,384 ) 1,796 (2,451 )

Related party transactions (Tab

Related party transactions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Statements [Line Items]
Disclosure of information about key management personnel [Table Text Block]	Year ended December 31, 2020 2019 $ $ Salaries and benefits 3,291 3,251 Share-based payments 1,096 1,041 Total compensation 4,387 4,292

Income (loss) per share (Tables

Income (loss) per share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Statements [Line Items]
Earnings per share [Table Text Block]	Year ended December 31, 2020 2019 Earnings ($) Net income (loss) for the year 57,376 (167,928 ) Number of shares Weighted average number of ordinary shares - basic 223,655,880 225,867,169 Effect of dilutive share options 1,263,594 — Weighted average number of ordinary shares - diluted 224,919,474 225,867,169

Nature of operations (Narrative

Nature of operations (Narrative) (Details) - Definitive Agreements [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Statements [Line Items]
Agreement description	50:50 joint venture arrangement
Asanko Gold Mine [Member]
Statements [Line Items]
Percentage of economic interest	45.00%
Percentage of free-carried interest	10.00%
Percentage of economic interest in exploration assets	50.00%

Basis of presentation - Disclos

Basis of presentation - Disclosure of subsidiaries (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Galiano Gold South Africa (Pty) Ltd. [Member]
Statements [Line Items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary	100.00%
Galiano International (Barbados) Inc. [Member]
Statements [Line Items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary	100.00%
Galiano Gold (Barbados) Inc. [Member]
Statements [Line Items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary	100.00%
Asanko Gold Ghana Limited [Member]
Statements [Line Items]
Proportion of ownership interest in joint venture	45.00%
Adansi Gold Company (GH) Limited [Member]
Statements [Line Items]
Proportion of ownership interest in joint venture	50.00%
Shika Group Finance Limited [Member]
Statements [Line Items]
Proportion of ownership interest in joint venture	50.00%

Significant accounting polici_4

Significant accounting policies - Disclosure of detailed information about estimated useful life or depreciation rate (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Fixed plant and related components and infrastructure [Member]
Statements [Line Items]
Useful lives or depreciation rates, property, plant and equipment	Units of production over life of mine
Mobile and other mine equipment components [Member]
Statements [Line Items]
Useful lives or depreciation rates, property, plant and equipment	3 to 12 years
Computer equipment and software [Member]
Statements [Line Items]
Useful lives or depreciation rates, property, plant and equipment	3 years
Right-of-use assets [Member]
Statements [Line Items]
Useful lives or depreciation rates, property, plant and equipment	Straight-line over lease term

Receivable due from related p_2

Receivable due from related party (Narrative) (Details) - Services Agreement [Member] - Joint ventures [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of transactions between related parties [line items]
Fee and commission income	$ 6.2
Fee and commission income, before adjustments for inflation	6
Service fee earned as operators of joint venture	4.9	$ 5
Service fee income, gross	6.1	6
Withholding taxes incurred	1.2	1
Amounts receivable, related party transactions	$ 2.7	$ 4.2

Financial assets (Narrative) (D

Financial assets (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands, shares in Millions	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
J V Finco [Member]
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Face value of preference shares subscribed	$ 204,900
Preference shares redeemable share subscribed	204.9
Preference shares redeemable share price per share	$ 1
J V Finco [Member] | Redeemable Preference Share With Determinable Redemption Date [Member]
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Face value of preference shares subscribed	$ 20,000
J V Finco [Member] | Redeemable Preference Shares With No Fixed Redemption Date [Member]
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Face value of preference shares subscribed	$ 184,900
Redemption of preferred shares during the year		$ (37,500)	$ (10,000)
Preference shares redeemable share subscribed		137.4	174.9
Fair value of preference shares subscribed		$ 78,300
Forecasted future cash flows at discount rate		11.60%
Fair value adjustment for the year		$ 7,774	$ (35,626)
Gold Fields Limited [Member] | Redeemable Preference Share With Determinable Redemption Date [Member]
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Preference Shares Settled			20,000
Accretion income for the year			$ 500

Financial assets - Disclosure o

Financial assets - Disclosure of detailed information about redeemable preference shares with no fixed redemption date (Details) - Redeemable Preference Shares With No Fixed Redemption Date [Member] - J V Finco [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Balance, beginning of year	$ 108,025	$ 153,651
Fair value adjustment for the year	7,774	(35,626)
Redemption of preferred shares during the year	(37,500)	(10,000)
Balance, end of year	$ 78,299	$ 108,025

Investment in joint venture (Na

Investment in joint venture (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Oct. 30, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 20, 2017	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)oz	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)oz
Disclosure of joint ventures [line items]
Annually services rendered fee in JV			$ 6,200
Annually services rendered fee excluding inflation In JV			6,000
Share of profit (loss) of joint ventures accounted for using equity method			$ 59,159	$ (126,264)
Asanko Gold Mine (AGM) [Member]
Disclosure of joint ventures [line items]
Percentage of interest accounted for using equity method			45.00%
Share of profit (loss) of joint ventures accounted for using equity method			$ 59,159	(126,264)
Share of impairment loss in joint ventures				130,300
Impairment			0	289,589
Adjustment to carrying value of stockpile inventory			16,600	(19,100)
Production cost of stockpile inventory			(7,700)	7,900
Depreciation expense			$ (8,900)	11,200
Percent of gross revenue royalty payable			5.00%
Additional percentage of net smelter return royalty payable			2.00%
Additional percentage of net smelter return royalty payable to committee			0.50%
Allocation of impairment to stockpiled inventory				29,200
Initial security reclamation deposit			$ 8,500
Reclamation deposit			1,700
Bank guarantee			6,800
Reclamation deposit including accrued interest			1,900	1,900
Initial security reclamation deposit for Esaase deposit			1,100
Long term deposits for Esaase deposit			200
Reclamation deposit bank guarantee for Esaase deposit			900
Cash reclamation deposit			200
Initial security reclamation deposit for Obotan deposit			15,600
Long term deposits for Obotan deposit			4,700
Reclamation deposit bank guarantee for Obotan deposit			10,900
Additional cash reclamation deposit			2,800
Additions to mineral properties, plant and equipment			54,100	25,000
Capitalized property acquisition costs and exploration costs			8,900	3,300
Deferred stripping costs to depletable mineral interests			18,700	34,000
Depletion expense charged on deferred stripping assets and recorded as depreciation and depletion expense			19,600	39,000
Depreciation and depletion expense			52,700	100,600
Depreciation and depletion expense allocated to cost of inventories			1,800	5,200
Realized loss on hedging instruments			$ 366	$ 4,440
Long-term risk free discount rate for reclamation cost			1.00%	2.00%
Remaining mine life		between 14 and 21 years	8-10 years
Production of Gold		108,000 ounces to 497,000 ounces	225,000 to 250,000 ounces per year
Estimated fair value less cost of disposal			$ 211,800
Discount rate applied to cash flow projections			8.40%
Asanko Gold Mine (AGM) [Member] | Rand Merchant Bank [Member]
Disclosure of joint ventures [line items]
Revolving Credit Facility	$ 30,000		$ 30,000
Revolving Credit Facility, Interest Description	bears interest on a sliding scale of between LIBOR plus a margin of 4% and LIBOR plus a margin of 3.8%,
Commitment Fees, Undrawn Portion Scale	between 1.33% and 1.40%
Interest Expense And Other Fees For Revolving Credit Facility			$ 1,200	$ 1,700
Asanko Gold Mine (AGM) [Member] | Offtake agreement [Member] | RK Mine Finance Trust I ("Red Kite") [Member]
Disclosure of joint ventures [line items]
Percentage of sale of future gold production			100.00%
Maximum amount of sale of future gold production | oz			2,200,000
Percentage of payment for value of gold			100.00%
Provisional payment percent of estimated value			90.00%
Amount of gold sold in period | oz			243,807	248,862
Amount of gold delivered under agreement | oz			1,083,180
Revenue from sale of silver			$ 900	$ 800
Additional sale of gold related to pre-production activities				$ 2,200
Adansi Gold Company Ghana Limited [Member]
Disclosure of joint ventures [line items]
Percentage of interest accounted for using equity method			50.00%
Shika Group Finance Limited [Member]
Disclosure of joint ventures [line items]
Percentage of interest accounted for using equity method			50.00%

Investment in joint venture -

Investment in joint venture - Disclosure of Investment in joint venture using equity method (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of transactions between related parties [line items]
Balance, beginning of year	$ 0
Company's share of net income (loss) of the JV for the year	59,159	$ (126,264)
Balance, end of year	59,159	0
Asanko Gold Mine (AGM) [Member]
Disclosure of transactions between related parties [line items]
Balance, beginning of year	0	126,264
Company's share of net income (loss) of the JV for the year	59,159	(126,264)
Balance, end of year	$ 59,159	$ 0

Investment in joint venture -_2

Investment in joint venture - Disclosure of Statement of operations of Joint Venture (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of transactions between related parties [line items]
General and administrative expenses	$ (14,757)	$ (11,828)
Income from operations	49,319	(133,129)
Finance expense	(45)	(35,650)
Finance income	8,325	871
Net loss before taxes	57,376	(167,928)
Net income (loss) for the year	57,376	(167,928)
Asanko Gold Mine (AGM) [Member]
Disclosure of transactions between related parties [line items]
Revenues	418,130	340,969
Production costs	(198,347)	(199,234)
Depreciation and depletion	(50,934)	(95,418)
Royalties	(20,907)	(17,159)
Income from mine operations	147,942	29,158
Exploration and evaluation expenditures	(9,681)	(6,092)
General and administrative expenses	(7,434)	(6,549)
Income from operations	130,827	16,517
Impairment	0	(289,589)
Finance expense	(3,165)	(8,905)
Finance income	285	283
Foreign exchange gain	3,572	1,171
Net income (loss) for the year	131,519	(280,523)
Company's share of net income (loss) of the JV for the year	$ 59,159	$ (126,264)

Investment in joint venture -_3

Investment in joint venture - Disclosure of Assets and liabilities of joint venture (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 62,151	$ 31,109	$ 10,358
Receivables	186	161
Prepaid expenses and deposits	529	347
Total current assets	65,541	35,800
Non-current assets	138,049	108,704
Total assets	203,590	144,504
Current liabilities [abstract]
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	3,524	2,234
Lease liability	94	83
Current liabilities	3,618	2,317
Non-current liabilities [abstract]
Lease liability	421	514
Long-term incentive plan liability	668	416
Non-current liabilities	1,089	930
Total liabilities	4,707	3,247
Equity	198,883	141,257	$ 308,842
Total liabilities and equity	203,590	144,504
Asanko Gold Mine (AGM) [Member]
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	64,254	40,758
Restricted cash	0	3,000
Receivables	10,820	9,516
Inventories	81,675	49,968
Prepaid expenses and deposits	4,841	2,031
Financial assets	68	0
VAT receivable	8,911	10,556
Total current assets	170,569	115,829
Non-current assets	280,769	238,781
Total assets	451,338	354,610
Current liabilities [abstract]
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	73,102	62,153
Revolving credit facility	30,000	0
Lease liability	5,608	18,142
Asset retirement provisions	1,025	0
Current liabilities	109,735	80,295
Non-current liabilities [abstract]
Lease liability	113	5,063
Long-term incentive plan liability	596	402
Asset retirement provisions	71,668	56,148
Non-current liabilities	72,377	61,613
Total liabilities	182,112	141,908
Equity	269,226	212,702
Total liabilities and equity	$ 451,338	$ 354,610

Investment in joint venture -_4

Investment in joint venture - Disclosure of Production costs of joint venture (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of transactions between related parties [line items]
Share-based payments	$ (2,168)	$ (1,789)
Asanko Gold Mine (AGM) [Member]
Disclosure of transactions between related parties [line items]
Raw materials and consumables	(54,588)	(49,560)
Salary and employee benefits	(35,204)	(33,015)
Contractors (net of deferred stripping costs)	(119,337)	(97,443)
Change in stockpile, gold-in-process and gold dore inventories	28,970	(3,056)
Insurance, government fees, permits and other	(17,161)	(15,749)
Share-based payments	(1,027)	(411)
Total production costs	$ (198,347)	$ (199,234)

Investment in joint venture - S

Investment in joint venture - Summary of inventories held by AGM of joint venture (Details) - Asanko Gold Mine (AGM) [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of transactions between related parties [line items]
Gold dore on hand	$ 8,197	$ 2,804
Gold-in-process	1,814	1,726
Ore stockpiles	54,701	29,410
Materials and spare parts	22,152	18,679
Total Inventories	86,864	52,619
Less non-current inventories: Ore stockpiles	(5,189)	(2,651)
Total current inventories	$ 81,675	$ 49,968

Investment in joint venture -_5

Investment in joint venture - Summary of movement in right-of-use asset related to mining contractor services agreements of AGM (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of transactions between related parties [line items]
Balance, beginning of year	$ 589	$ 0
Depreciation expense for the year	(104)	(35)
Balance, end of year	485	589
Asanko Gold Mine [Member]
Disclosure of transactions between related parties [line items]
Balance, beginning of year	9,429	0
Initial recognition of right-of-use assets upon adoption of IFRS 16	0	36,616
Recognition of mining contractor services agreements entered into during the year	5,604	10,502
Depreciation expense for the year	(9,407)	(17,255)
Derecognition associated with termination of contractor services agreement	(2,753)	(10,343)
Allocation of impairment	0	(10,091)
Balance, end of year	$ 2,873	$ 9,429

Investment in joint venture -_6

Investment in joint venture - Summary of movement in lease liability related to mining contractor services agreements of AGM (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of transactions between related parties [line items]
Balance, beginning of year	$ 597	$ 0
Lease payments made during the year	(117)	(39)
Interest expense	35	12
Total lease liability	515	597
Less: current lease liability	(94)	(83)
Total non-current lease liability	421	514
Asanko Gold Mine [Member]
Disclosure of transactions between related parties [line items]
Balance, beginning of year	23,205	0
Initial recognition of lease liability upon adoption of IFRS 16	0	36,616
Recognition of lease agreements entered into during the year	5,604	10,502
Lease payments made during the year	(17,160)	(15,386)
Interest expense	732	1,817
Derecognition associated with termination of contractor services agreement	(6,660)	(10,344)
Total lease liability	5,721	23,205
Less: current lease liability	(5,608)	(18,142)
Total non-current lease liability	$ 113	$ 5,063

Investment in joint venture -_7

Investment in joint venture - Summary of movement in asset retirement obligation (Details) - Asanko Gold Mine (AGM) [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of transactions between related parties [line items]
Balance, beginning of year	$ 56,148	$ 34,036
Accretion expense	550	903
Change in obligation	16,149	21,309
Reclamation undertaken during the year	(154)	(100)
Total asset retirement provisions, end of year	72,693	56,148
Total non-current portion of asset retirement provisions	(1,025)	0
Total non-current portion of asset retirement provisions	$ 71,668	$ 56,148

Investment in joint venture -_8

Investment in joint venture - Summary of movement in preferred shares (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Investment In Joint Venture [Abstract]
Balance, beginning of year	$ 349,880	$ 369,880
Investment in JV by Gold Fields	0	20,000
Distributions to partners during the year	(75,000)	(40,000)
Balance, end of year	$ 274,880	$ 349,880

Investment in joint venture -_9

Investment in joint venture - Disclosure of Gold price assumptions (Details) - Asanko Gold Mine (AGM) [Member] $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Investment In Joint Venture [Line Items]
Gold price (per ounce) assumption, 2020	$ 1,500
Gold price (per ounce) assumption, 2021	1,425
Gold price (per ounce) assumption, 2022 to 2024	1,400
Gold price (per ounce) assumption, Long-term	1,350
Gold price (per ounce) assumption, Weighted Average	$ 1,373

Investment in joint venture - D

Investment in joint venture - Disclosure of detailed information about summary of finance expenses incurred by JV (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of transactions between related parties [line items]
Interest on lease liabilities	$ (35)	$ (12)
Other	(10)	(12)
Total finance expense	(45)	(35,650)
Asanko Gold Mine [Member]
Disclosure of transactions between related parties [line items]
Realized loss on hedging instruments	(366)	(4,440)
Interest on lease liabilities	(732)	(1,817)
Fees and expenses associated with revolving credit facility	(1,198)	(1,670)
Accretion charges on asset retirement provisions	(550)	(903)
Other	(319)	(75)
Total finance expense	$ (3,165)	$ (8,905)

Investment in joint venture _10

Investment in joint venture - Disclosure of detailed information about cash flows of AGM of joint venture (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of transactions between related parties [line items]
Operating cash flow before working capital changes	$ (1,525)	$ 3,760
Operating activities	(6,404)	(8,748)
Investing activities	37,930	30,171
Financing activities	(520)	(665)
Impact of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents	36	(7)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents during the year	31,042	20,751
Asanko Gold Mine (AGM) [Member]
Disclosure of transactions between related parties [line items]
Operating cash flow before working capital changes	183,065	109,785
Operating activities	152,322	120,375
Investing activities	(69,108)	(62,672)
Financing activities	(62,590)	(35,272)
Impact of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents	(128)	(321)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents during the year	20,496	22,110
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of year	43,758	21,648
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of year	$ 64,254	$ 43,758

Right-of-use asset and lease _3

Right-of-use asset and lease liability (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Presentation Of Leases For Lessee Abstract
Recognized right-of-use asset and ease liability for office space lease agreement in accordance with IFRS 16	$ 0.6

Right-of-use asset and lease _4

Right-of-use asset and lease liability - Disclosure of movement in right-of-use asset related to corporate office space lease agreement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Presentation Of Leases For Lessee Abstract
Balance, beginning of year	$ 589	$ 0
Recognition of office space lease agreement entered into during the year	0	624
Depreciation expense for the year	(104)	(35)
Balance, end of year	$ 485	$ 589

Right-of-use asset and lease _5

Right-of-use asset and lease liability - Disclosure of movement in lease liability related to corporate office space lease agreement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Presentation Of Leases For Lessee Abstract
Balance, beginning of year	$ 597	$ 0
Recognition of office space lease agreement entered into during the year	0	624
Lease payments made during the year	(117)	(39)
Interest expense	35	12
Total lease liability	515	597
Less: current lease liability	(94)	(83)
Total non-current lease liability	$ 421	$ 514

Share capital (Narrative) (Deta

Share capital (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 25, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Nov. 15, 2019
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Number of shares approved under normal course issuer bid				11,310,386
Shares approved under normal course issuer bid as a percentage of issued and outstanding common shares				5.00%
Shares repurchased and cancelled under normal course issuer bid (shares)		2,758,063	1,108,920
Shares repurchased and cancelled under normal course issuer bid		$ 2,296	$ 958
Average acquisition price per share		$ 0.83	$ 0.86
Shares repurchased and cancelled under NCIB since inception (shares)		3,866,983
Value of shares repurchased and cancelled since inception		$ 3,300
Weighted average price since inception		$ 0.84
Value of shares approved under ATM offering	$ 50,000
Percentage of commission payable under ATM offering	3.00%
Gold Fields Limited [Member]
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Percentage of interest in common share	9.90%

Share Capital - Disclosure of

Share Capital - Disclosure of Issued and outstanding common shares (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Beginning Balance (shares)	225,098,810	225,804,614
Beginning Balance	$ 141,257	$ 308,842
Issued pursuant to exercise of share-based options (shares)	1,912,775	403,116
Issued pursuant to exercise of share-based options	$ 1,893	$ 332
Shares repurchased and cancelled under normal course issuer bid (shares)	(2,758,063)	(1,108,920)
Shares repurchased and cancelled under normal course issuer bid	$ (2,296)	$ (958)
Ending Balance (shares)	224,253,522	225,098,810
Ending Balance	$ 198,883	$ 141,257
Share capital [Member]
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Beginning Balance	578,385	578,853
Issued pursuant to exercise of share-based options	2,661	490
Shares repurchased and cancelled under normal course issuer bid	(2,296)	(958)
Ending Balance	$ 578,750	$ 578,385

Equity reserves (Narrative) (De

Equity reserves (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	Nov. 06, 2020shares	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)$ / shares	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)Shareyr	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)$ / shares	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)Shareyr
Disclosure of reserves within equity [line items]
Description of vesting requirements for Stock options arrangement			Options granted vest 33% every twelve months following the grant date for a total vesting period of three years.
Share-based payments			$ 653		$ 969
Number of share options exercised in share-based payment arrangement | Share			1,912,775		403,116
Weighted average exercise price of share options exercised in share-based payment arrangement | $ / shares		$ 1.33		$ 1.09
Proceeds from exercise of options			$ 1,893		$ 332
Option life, share options granted (years) | yr			3.86		3.79
Forfeiture rate, share options granted			10.68%		3.10%
Expected dividend, share options granted
Restricted Share Units [Member]
Disclosure of reserves within equity [line items]
Forefeiture rate, restricted share units granted			4.22%		2.56%
Share-based payments			$ 1,500		$ 800
Recognized financial liability for cash-settled RSUs		$ 1,700	1,700	$ 1,000	$ 1,000
Phantom Share Units [Member]
Disclosure of reserves within equity [line items]
Share-based payments			$ 100
Number of shares unit granted for cash settlement | shares	1,000,000

Equity reserves - Disclosure of

Equity reserves - Disclosure of number and weighted average exercise prices of share options (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020Share$ / shares	Dec. 31, 2019Share$ / shares
Disclosure of reserves within equity [abstract]
Number of share options outstanding in share-based payment arrangement at beginning of period | Share	12,568,362	13,482,427
Weighted average exercise price of share options outstanding in share-based payment arrangement at beginning of period | $ / shares	$ 1.93	$ 2.22
Number of share options granted in share-based payment arrangement | Share	4,676,000	3,803,700
Weighted average exercise price of share options granted in share-based payment arrangement | $ / shares	$ 1.39	$ 0.99
Number of share options exercised in share-based payment arrangement | Share	(1,912,775)	(403,116)
Weighted average exercise price of share options exercised in share-based payment arrangement | $ / shares	$ 1.33	$ 1.09
Number of share options cancelled/expired in share-based payment arrangement | Share	(7,000,767)	(4,314,649)
Weighted average exercise price of share options cancelled/expired in share-based payment arrangement | $ / shares	$ 1.88	$ 2.07
Number of share options outstanding in share-based payment arrangement at end of period | Share	8,330,820	12,568,362
Weighted average exercise price of share options outstanding in share-based payment arrangement at end of period | $ / shares	$ 1.81	$ 1.93

Equity reserves - Disclosure _2

Equity reserves - Disclosure of detailed information about options, valuation assumptions (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020CAD ($)Share$ / shares	Dec. 31, 2019CAD ($)Share$ / shares
Disclosure of reserves within equity [abstract]
Number of options | Share	4,676,000	3,803,700
Weighted average exercise price | $ / shares	$ 1.39	$ 0.99
Weighted average risk-free interest rate	0.72%	2.38%
Weighted average volatility	62.92%	66.93%
Weighted average Black-Scholes value assigned | $	$ 0.59	$ 0.50

Equity reserves - Disclosure _3

Equity reserves - Disclosure of range of exercise prices of outstanding share options (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020Shareyr$ / shares	Dec. 31, 2019Share$ / shares	Dec. 31, 2018Share$ / shares
Disclosure of reserves within equity [line items]
Number of share options outstanding in share-based payment arrangement | Share	8,330,820	12,568,362	13,482,427
Weighted average remaining contractual life of outstanding share options	2 years 11 months 26 days
Weighted average exercise price of share options outstanding in share-based payment arrangement	$ 1.81	$ 1.93	$ 2.22
Number of share options exercisable in share-based payment arrangement | Share	2,934,632
Weighted average remaining contractual life of exercisable share options | yr	1.37
Weighted average exercise price of share options exercisable in share-based payment arrangement	$ 2.76
C$0.00-C$1.00 [Member]
Disclosure of reserves within equity [line items]
Number of share options outstanding in share-based payment arrangement | Share	1,629,336
Weighted average remaining contractual life of outstanding share options	3 years 1 month 28 days
Weighted average exercise price of share options outstanding in share-based payment arrangement	$ 0.96
Number of share options exercisable in share-based payment arrangement | Share	435,000
Weighted average remaining contractual life of exercisable share options | yr	3.17
Weighted average exercise price of share options exercisable in share-based payment arrangement	$ 0.95
C$0.00-C$1.00 [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Disclosure of reserves within equity [line items]
Exercise price of outstanding share options	0
C$0.00-C$1.00 [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Disclosure of reserves within equity [line items]
Exercise price of outstanding share options	$ 1
C$1.01 - C$ 2.00 [Member]
Disclosure of reserves within equity [line items]
Number of share options outstanding in share-based payment arrangement | Share	4,878,484
Weighted average remaining contractual life of outstanding share options	3 years 4 months 28 days
Weighted average exercise price of share options outstanding in share-based payment arrangement	$ 1.38
Number of share options exercisable in share-based payment arrangement | Share	969,632
Weighted average remaining contractual life of exercisable share options | yr	0.91
Weighted average exercise price of share options exercisable in share-based payment arrangement	$ 1.65
C$1.01 - C$ 2.00 [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Disclosure of reserves within equity [line items]
Exercise price of outstanding share options	1.01
C$1.01 - C$ 2.00 [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Disclosure of reserves within equity [line items]
Exercise price of outstanding share options	$ 2
C$2.01 - C$3.00 [Member]
Disclosure of reserves within equity [line items]
Number of share options outstanding in share-based payment arrangement | Share	323,000
Weighted average remaining contractual life of outstanding share options	4 years 3 months 29 days
Weighted average exercise price of share options outstanding in share-based payment arrangement	$ 2.27
Number of share options exercisable in share-based payment arrangement | Share	30,000
Weighted average remaining contractual life of exercisable share options | yr	1.36
Weighted average exercise price of share options exercisable in share-based payment arrangement	$ 3
C$2.01 - C$3.00 [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Disclosure of reserves within equity [line items]
Exercise price of outstanding share options	2.01
C$2.01 - C$3.00 [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Disclosure of reserves within equity [line items]
Exercise price of outstanding share options	$ 3
C$3.01 - C$4.00 [Member]
Disclosure of reserves within equity [line items]
Number of share options outstanding in share-based payment arrangement | Share	1,430,000
Weighted average remaining contractual life of outstanding share options	1 year 1 month 28 days
Weighted average exercise price of share options outstanding in share-based payment arrangement	$ 3.96
Number of share options exercisable in share-based payment arrangement | Share	1,430,000
Weighted average remaining contractual life of exercisable share options | yr	1.16
Weighted average exercise price of share options exercisable in share-based payment arrangement	$ 3.96
C$3.01 - C$4.00 [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Disclosure of reserves within equity [line items]
Exercise price of outstanding share options	3.01
C$3.01 - C$4.00 [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Disclosure of reserves within equity [line items]
Exercise price of outstanding share options	$ 4
C$4.01 - C$5.00 [Member]
Disclosure of reserves within equity [line items]
Number of share options outstanding in share-based payment arrangement | Share	70,000
Weighted average remaining contractual life of outstanding share options	10 months 9 days
Weighted average exercise price of share options outstanding in share-based payment arrangement	$ 4.77
Number of share options exercisable in share-based payment arrangement | Share	70,000
Weighted average remaining contractual life of exercisable share options | yr	0.86
Weighted average exercise price of share options exercisable in share-based payment arrangement	$ 4.77
C$4.01 - C$5.00 [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Disclosure of reserves within equity [line items]
Exercise price of outstanding share options	4.01
C$4.01 - C$5.00 [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Disclosure of reserves within equity [line items]
Exercise price of outstanding share options	$ 5

Equity reserves - Disclosure _4

Equity reserves - Disclosure of number RSUs (Details) - Restricted Share Units [Member] - Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of reserves within equity [line items]
Balance, beginning of year	2,243,255	1,455,180
Granted	2,371,700	2,024,553
Settled in cash	(844,361)	(481,622)
Cancelled/Forfeited	(1,349,394)	(754,856)
Balance, end of year	2,421,200	2,243,255

Equity reserves - Disclosure _5

Equity reserves - Disclosure of movement in RSU liability (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of reserves within equity [abstract]
Balance, beginning of year	$ 1,001	$ 541
Awards vested during the year, net of cancelled/expired awards	1,460	819
Settled in cash during the year	(803)	(359)
Total RSU liability, end of year	1,658	1,001
Less: current portion of RSU liability	(1,046)	(585)
Total non-current RSU liability, end of year	$ 612	$ 416

Commitments and contingencies_2

Commitments and contingencies (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Statements [Line Items]
Contractual obligations relating to long-term debt	$ 4,819	$ 3,473
Asanko Gold Ghana Limited [Member]
Statements [Line Items]
Amount of reclamation bond on the unfunded portion	$ 5,900

Commitments and contingencies -

Commitments and contingencies - Disclosure of detailed information about commitments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of contingent liabilities [line items]
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$ 2,478	$ 1,649
Long-term incentive plan (cash-settled awards)	1,714	1,001
Corporate office leases	627	823
Total	4,819	$ 3,473
Within 1 year [Member]
Disclosure of contingent liabilities [line items]
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	2,478
Long-term incentive plan (cash-settled awards)	1,046
Corporate office leases	126
Total	3,650
1-5 years [Member]
Disclosure of contingent liabilities [line items]
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	0
Long-term incentive plan (cash-settled awards)	668
Corporate office leases	501
Total	1,169
Over 5 years [Member]
Disclosure of contingent liabilities [line items]
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	0
Long-term incentive plan (cash-settled awards)	0
Corporate office leases	0
Total	$ 0

General and administrative ex_3

General and administrative expenses - Disclosure of detailed information about general and administrative expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Selling, general and administrative expense [abstract]
Wages, benefits and consulting	$ (9,200)	$ (7,723)
Office, rent and administration	(907)	(800)
Professional and legal	(1,001)	(452)
Share-based payments	(2,168)	(1,789)
Travel, marketing, investor relations and regulatory	(1,317)	(966)
Other	(164)	(98)
Total	$ (14,757)	$ (11,828)

Finance income - Disclosure of

Finance income - Disclosure of detailed information about finance income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure Of Finance Income [Abstract]
Fair value adjustment on redeemable preference shares	$ 7,774	$ 0
Accretion income on redeemable preference shares	0	516
Interest income and other	551	355
Total finance income	$ 8,325	$ 871

Finance expense - Disclosure of

Finance expense - Disclosure of detailed information about finance expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Finance Expense [Abstract]
Fair value adjustment on redeemable preference shares	$ 0	$ (35,626)
Interest on lease liability	(35)	(12)
Other	(10)	(12)
Total finance expense	$ (45)	$ (35,650)

Income tax (Narrative) (Details

Income tax (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure Of Income Tax [Line Items]
Taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries for which deferred taxes have not been recognized	$ 242.1	$ 175.1
CANADA
Disclosure Of Income Tax [Line Items]
Tax losses	$ 64	$ 55.6

Income tax - Disclosure of deta

Income tax - Disclosure of detailed information about effective income tax expense recovery (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Income Tax [Abstract]
Average statutory tax rate	27.00%	27.00%
Income (loss) before income taxes	$ 57,376	$ (167,928)
Expected income tax expense (recovery)	15,492	(45,341)
Increase in income tax expense (recovery) resulting from:
Share of net (income) loss related to joint venture	(15,974)	34,091
Fair value adjustment and accretion on redeemable preferences shares	(2,099)	9,480
Share-based payments	176	483
Withholding taxes	0	292
Other	145	(46)
True-up prior year balances	261	0
Effect of differences in tax rate in foreign jurisdictions	8	8
Change in unrecognized tax assets	1,984	1,033
Foreign exchange and other	7	0
Income tax expense	$ 0	$ 0

Income tax - Disclosure of defe

Income tax - Disclosure of deferred taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure Of Income Tax [Line Items]
Net deferred tax assets	$ 0	$ 0
Lease Liability [Member]
Disclosure Of Income Tax [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets	139	159
Right-of-use asset [Member]
Disclosure Of Income Tax [Line Items]
Deferred tax liabilities	$ (139)	$ (159)

Income tax - Disclosure of temp

Income tax - Disclosure of temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure Of Income Tax [Line Items]
Deductible temporary differences for which no deferred tax asset is recognised	$ 20,591	$ 18,608
Property, plant and equipment[Member]
Disclosure Of Income Tax [Line Items]
Deductible temporary differences for which no deferred tax asset is recognised	48	66
Share issuance costs [Member]
Disclosure Of Income Tax [Line Items]
Deductible temporary differences for which no deferred tax asset is recognised	18	26
Investment in associate [Member]
Disclosure Of Income Tax [Line Items]
Deductible temporary differences for which no deferred tax asset is recognised	275	275
Accounts Payables And Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Disclosure Of Income Tax [Line Items]
Deductible temporary differences for which no deferred tax asset is recognised	467	4
Lease Liability [Member]
Disclosure Of Income Tax [Line Items]
Deductible temporary differences for which no deferred tax asset is recognised	8	2
Capital losses [Member]
Disclosure Of Income Tax [Line Items]
Deductible temporary differences for which no deferred tax asset is recognised	2,476	2,476
Non-capital losses carried forward [Member]
Disclosure Of Income Tax [Line Items]
Deductible temporary differences for which no deferred tax asset is recognised	17,299	15,035
Foreign tax credits [Member]
Disclosure Of Income Tax [Line Items]
Deductible temporary differences for which no deferred tax asset is recognised	$ 0	$ 724

Income (loss) per share (Narrat

Income (loss) per share (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Statements [Line Items]
Description of instruments with potential future dilutive effect not included in calculation of diluted earnings per share	For the year ended December 31, 2020, excluded from the calculation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding were 5,978,748 share-based options that were determined to be anti-dilutive.

Income (loss) per share - Disc

Income (loss) per share - Disclosure of Earnings per share (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Earnings Per Shares [Abstract]
Net income (loss) for the year	$ 57,376	$ (167,928)
Weighted average number of ordinary shares - basic	223,655,880	225,867,169
Effect of dilutive share options	1,263,594	0
Weighted average number of ordinary shares - diluted	224,919,474	225,867,169

Supplemental cash flow inform_3

Supplemental cash flow information - Disclosure of changes in noncash working capital (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Supplemental Cash Flows Information [Abstract]
Receivables and receivable due from related party	$ 1,600	$ (1,864)
Prepaid expenses and deposits	(144)	(176)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	69	(1,720)
Change in non-cash working capital	$ 1,525	$ (3,760)

Segmented information (Narrativ

Segmented information (Narrative) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2020
Asanko Gold Mine (AGM) [Member]
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Percentage of interest acquired	45.00%

Segmented information - Disclos

Segmented information - Disclosure of geographic allocation of total assets and liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Current assets	$ 65,541	$ 35,800
Property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets	591	679
Other non-current assets	137,458	108,025
Total assets	203,590	144,504
Current liabilities	3,618	2,317
Non-current liabilities	1,089	930
Total liabilities	4,707	3,247
CANADA
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Current assets	65,541	35,800
Property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets	591	679
Other non-current assets	0	0
Total assets	66,132	36,479
Current liabilities	3,618	2,317
Non-current liabilities	1,089	930
Total liabilities	4,707	3,247
GHANA
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Current assets	0	0
Property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets	0	0
Other non-current assets	137,458	108,025
Total assets	137,458	108,025
Current liabilities	0	0
Non-current liabilities	0	0
Total liabilities	$ 0	$ 0

Segmented information - Discl_2

Segmented information - Disclosure of geographic allocation of the statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Share of net earnings related to joint venture	$ 59,159	$ (126,264)
Service fee earned as operators of joint venture	4,917	4,963
General and administrative expenses	(14,757)	(11,828)
(Loss) income from operations and joint venture	49,319	(133,129)
Finance income	8,325	871
Finance expense	(45)	(35,650)
Foreign exchange loss	(223)	(20)
Net (loss) income and comprehensive (loss) income for the year	57,376	(167,928)
CANADA
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Share of net earnings related to joint venture	0	0
Service fee earned as operators of joint venture	4,917	4,963
General and administrative expenses	(14,757)	(11,828)
(Loss) income from operations and joint venture	(9,840)	(6,865)
Finance income	551	355
Finance expense	(45)	(24)
Foreign exchange loss	(223)	(20)
Net (loss) income and comprehensive (loss) income for the year	(9,557)	(6,554)
GHANA
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Share of net earnings related to joint venture	59,159	(126,264)
Service fee earned as operators of joint venture	0	0
General and administrative expenses	0	0
(Loss) income from operations and joint venture	59,159	(126,264)
Finance income	7,774	516
Finance expense	0	(35,626)
Foreign exchange loss	0	0
Net (loss) income and comprehensive (loss) income for the year	$ 66,933	$ (161,374)

Capital management (Narrative)

Capital management (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 25, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Capital Management [Line Items]
Total common shareholders' equity		$ 198.9	$ 141.3
Value of shares approved under ATM offering	$ 50
At The Market Offering [Member] | H.C. Wainwright & Co. and Cormark Securities (the "Agents") [Member]
Capital Management [Line Items]
Value of shares approved under ATM offering		$ 50

Financial instruments (Narrativ

Financial instruments (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands, shares in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 62,151	$ 31,109	$ 10,358
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	3,524	2,234
Credit risk [Member]
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]
Receivable due from the JV	2,700	4,200
Interest receivable	$ 200	100
Credit risk [Member] | Joint ventures [Member] | Preference shares [Member]
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]
Preference shares redeemable share subscribed	137.4
Maximum exposure to credit risk in relation to the preferred shares	$ 78,300
Interest rate risk [Member]
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]
Increase in after tax net loss due to change in annualized interest rate	3,600	3,900
Decrease in after tax net loss due to change in annualized interest rate	(3,400)	(3,600)
Value at risk	600
Foreign currency risk [Member]
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]
Value at risk	$ 300	$ 200

Financial instruments - Disclos

Financial instruments - Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 62,151	$ 31,109	$ 10,358
Receivables	186	161
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(3,524)	(2,234)
RSU liability	(1,658)	(1,001)	(541)
Lease liabilities	(515)	(597)	$ 0
Foreign currency risk [Member]
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]
Net exposure to foreign currency	300	200
C$ [Member] | Foreign currency risk [Member]
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]
Cash and cash equivalents	280	195
Receivables	37	31
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(1,769)	(1,511)
Long-term incentive plan liabilities	(2,187)	(1,315)
Lease liabilities	(657)	(784)
Net exposure to foreign currency	(4,296)	(3,384)
ZAR [Member] | Foreign currency risk [Member]
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]
Cash and cash equivalents	6,954	2,588
Receivables	43	34
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(436)	(826)
Long-term incentive plan liabilities	0	0
Lease liabilities	0	0
Net exposure to foreign currency	6,561	1,796
USD Equivalent [Member] | Foreign currency risk [Member]
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]
Cash and cash equivalents	696	330
Receivables	32	26
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(1,417)	(1,209)
Long-term incentive plan liabilities	(1,715)	(1,001)
Lease liabilities	(515)	(597)
Net exposure to foreign currency	$ (2,919)	$ (2,451)

Related party transactions - Di

Related party transactions - Disclosure of information about key management personnel (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Related party transactions [abstract]
Salaries and benefits	$ 3,291	$ 3,251
Share-based payments	1,096	1,041
Total compensation	$ 4,387	$ 4,292

Subsequent event (Narrative) (D

Subsequent event (Narrative) (Details) - Subsequent Events [Member] shares in Millions	Mar. 10, 2021shares
Disclosure of non-adjusting events after reporting period [line items]
Number of stock options approved for granting	4.5
Number of PSUs approved for granting	0.9
Number of DSUs approved for granting	0.8
Number of RSUs approved for granting	0.2