Results of Operations
Summary
For the three-and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2022, we experienced net losses of $1,705 ($0.01 per share) and $6,527 ($0.03 per share), respectively, compared with net losses of $1,234 ($0.01 per share) and $3,548 ($0.02 per share) for the three-and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2021, respectively. See our discussion below for the primary drivers of these changes.
Exploration and evaluation
Our exploration and evaluation costs increased by $387 over the comparative three-month period, rising from $383 for the three months ended September 30, 2021 to $770 for the three months ended September 30, 2022, and by $960 over the comparative nine-month period, rising from $1,307 for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 to $2,267 for nine months ended September 30, 2022. These increases were largely attributable to the activities associated with our Bear Lodge REE Project and the Demonstration Plant as work progressed under the Cost Share Agreement. See Note 4 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a more complete discussion of this Cost Share Agreement.
Corporate administration
Our corporate administrative costs increased by $96 over the comparative three-month period rising from $829 for the three months ended September 30, 2021 to $925 for the three months ended September 30, 2022, and by $1,895 over the comparative nine-month period rising from $2,177 for nine months ended September 30, 2021 to $4,072 for nine months ended September 30, 2022. This increase over the nine-month comparative period was largely driven by an increase in our stock-based compensation of $1,420 and our accrual for Mr. Scott’s severance payment of $242 during the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
Interest Income
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company generated interest income of $78 and $100, respectively, from investments of the remaining net proceeds from its December 2021 rights offering. During the comparative three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, there were no such proceeds available for investment.
Accretion expense
The Company’s accretion expense increased by $51 over the comparative three-month period, rising from $20 for the three months ended September 30, 2021 to $71 for the three months ended September 30, 2022, and by $153 over the comparative nine-month period, rising from $60 for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 to $213 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. This accretion expense is related to the Company’s option to repurchase approximately 640 acres of non-core real property in Wyoming for not less than $1,200 or greater than $1,850 in the form of cash, common shares of the Company, or a combination of cash and common shares of the Company. Accretion expense is recorded each reporting period to increase the repurchase option liability to the maximum exercise price of $1,850, less any annual option payments of $25. See Note 7 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a more complete discussion of the repurchase option.
Cash Flows, Financial Position, Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities was $6,142 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, compared with $2,269 for the same period in 2021. This increase of $3,873 was mostly driven by an increase in prepaid expenses of $1,565 related to the Company’s prepayment of funds to General Atomics under the Cost Share Agreement, a decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $865 largely stemming from the payment of a $712 amount owing to General Atomics, a related party, and an overall increase in the Company’s expenses paid for work on the Demonstration Plant.