Exhibit 99.1
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___________________________________________________
PURE NICKEL INC.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
February 28, 2011
(Unaudited)
___________________________________________________
NOTICE OF NO AUDITOR REVIEW OF INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements of the Company have been prepared by, and are the responsibility of, the Company’s management. The Company’s independent auditor has not performed a review of the these financial statements in accordance with standards established by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants for a review of interim financial statements by an auditor.
1
PURE NICKEL INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
| | February 28, | | | November 30, | |
| | 2011 | | | 2010 | |
ASSETS | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Current assets: | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,266,538 | | $ | 1,713,784 | |
Restricted cash and cash equivalents (Note 4) | | 83,999 | | | 85,931 | |
Short-term investments (Note 5) | | 1,759,185 | | | 2,305,189 | |
Amounts receivable | | 41,864 | | | 43,373 | |
Prepaid expenses and deposits | | 80,527 | | | 47,711 | |
Due from related party (Note 14) | | 130,279 | | | 85,776 | |
| | 3,362,392 | | | 4,281,764 | |
Fixed assets (Note 6) | | 11,482 | | | 12,409 | |
Mineral properties (Note 7) | | 38,852,479 | | | 38,555,291 | |
Investments | | 66,875 | | | 49,750 | |
| $ | 42,293,228 | | $ | 42,899,214 | |
| | | | | | |
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | | | | |
Accounts payable | $ | 146,474 | | $ | 309,545 | |
Accrued liabilities | | 26,883 | | | 128,912 | |
| | 173,357 | | | 438,457 | |
| | | | | | |
Shareholders’ equity: | | | | | | |
Share capital (Note 8) | | 44,441,620 | | | 44,441,620 | |
Contributed surplus (Note 9) | | 12,054,737 | | | 12,035,229 | |
Deficit | | (14,376,486 | ) | | (14,016,092 | ) |
| | 42,119,871 | | | 42,460,757 | |
| $ | 42,293,228 | | $ | 42,899,214 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Approved on behalf of the board of directors:
“David RMcPherson” | “Harry Blum” |
David R. McPherson, Director | Harry Blum, Director |
2
PURE NICKEL INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS, COMPREHENSIVE LOSS AND DEFICIT
(Unaudited)
| | Three months | | | Three months | |
| | ended | | | ended | |
| | February 28, | | | February 28, | |
| | 2011 | | | 2010 | |
Revenues | $ | – | | $ | – | |
Expenses: | | | | | | |
Administration and general | | 358,086 | | | 396,689 | |
Loss before other income (expenses) | | (358,086 | ) | | (396,689 | ) |
Other income (expenses): | | | | | | |
Foreign exchange gain (loss) | | (28,327 | ) | | (3,454 | ) |
Interest income | | 8,894 | | | 10,282 | |
Impairment of mineral properties (Note 7) | | – | | | (15,454 | ) |
Change in fair value of investments | | 17,125 | | | 11,375 | |
| | (2,308 | ) | | 2,749 | |
Net loss and comprehensive loss for the period | | (360,394 | ) | | (393,940 | ) |
Deficit, beginning of period | | (14,016,092 | ) | | (11,707,326 | ) |
Deficit, end of period | $ | (14,376,486 | ) | $ | (12,101,266 | ) |
Loss per share – basic and diluted | $ | (0.005 | ) | $ | (0.006 | ) |
Weighted average number of shares | | 67,832,226 | | | 67,765,559 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
3
PURE NICKEL INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
| | Three months | | | Three months | |
| | ended | | | ended | |
| | February 28, | | | February 28, | |
| | 2011 | | | 2010 | |
Operating activities: | | | | | | |
Net loss for the period | $ | (360,394 | ) | $ | (393,940 | ) |
Items not affecting cash: | | | | | | |
Depreciation | | 927 | | | 1,371 | |
Impairment of mineral properties | | — | | | 15,454 | |
Change in fair value of investments | | (17,125 | ) | | (11,375 | ) |
Stock-based compensation | | 19,508 | | | 5,298 | |
| | (357,084 | ) | | (383,192 | ) |
Changes in non-cash working capital items: | | | | | | |
Amounts receivable | | 1,509 | | | 65,818 | |
Prepaid expenses and deposits | | (32,816 | ) | | (10,829 | ) |
Due from related party | | (44,503 | ) | | — | |
Accounts payable | | (163,071 | ) | | (6,333 | ) |
Accrued liabilities | | (102,029 | ) | | (116,483 | ) |
Total cash flows used in operating activities | | (697,994 | ) | | (451,019 | ) |
Investing activities: | | | | | | |
Capitalized mineral property expenditures, net of recoveries | | (297,188 | ) | | (161,767 | ) |
Redemption (purchase) of short-term investments | | 546,004 | | | (10,919 | ) |
Changes in restricted cash and cash equivalents | | 1,932 | | | 108 | |
Acquisition of fixed assets | | — | | | (1,404 | ) |
Total cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities | | 250,748 | | | (173,982 | ) |
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents during the period | | (447,246 | ) | | (625,001 | ) |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | | 1,713,784 | | | 1,898,197 | |
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 1,266,538 | | $ | 1,273,196 | |
Cash and cash equivalents consist of: | | | | | | |
Cash | $ | 1,266,538 | | $ | 1,273,196 | |
Term deposits | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | |
| $ | 1,266,538 | | $ | 1,273,196 | |
Supplementary cash flow information (Note 13)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
4
PURE NICKEL INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1. | NATURE OF OPERATIONS |
| |
| Pure Nickel Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated under the laws of British Columbia, Canada, and subsequently continued under the CanadaBusiness Corporations Act. |
| |
| The Company is in the business of acquiring, exploring and developing mineral properties in Canada and the United States, primarily those containing nickel, platinum group elements (PGEs), copper, gold, silver and associated base and precious metals. The Company has not yet determined whether its mineral properties contain economically recoverable reserves. The recoverability of the amounts shown for mineral properties is dependent upon the confirmation of economically recoverable reserves, the ability of the Company to enter into joint ventures or obtain financing to successfully complete their development, and upon future profitable production. |
| |
2. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
| (a) | Basis of presentation |
| | |
| | These interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles, in accordance with disclosure requirements for the presentation of interim financial information, consequently do not contain all of the disclosures included in the annual financial statements, and accordingly should be read in conjunction with the most recent annual financial statements. These interim financial statements follow the same accounting policies and methods of application as in those annual financial statements, and are expressed in Canadian dollars. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation. The Company proportionately consolidates its 70% undivided interest in the MAN Alaska property. |
| | |
| (b) | Use of estimates |
| | |
| | The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in Canada requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant areas requiring the use of estimates relate to the estimated useful lives of fixed assets, the recoverability or valuation of receivables and mineral properties, the utilization of future income tax assets and the valuation of asset retirement obligations and stock-based compensation. Actual results could differ from these estimates. |
| | |
| (c) | Cash and cash equivalents |
| | |
| | Cash and cash equivalents include cash on account, demand deposits and money market investments with maturities from the date of acquisition of three months or less that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and are subject to insignificant changes in value. Funds that are not available for use by the Company are noted as restricted. |
| | |
| (d) | Short-term investments |
| | |
| | Short-term investments consist of highly liquid short-term interest-bearing securities with a term to maturity of greater than three months on the date of purchase, and less than one year from the fiscal year-end. Short-term investments are recorded at the lower of cost or fair value. |
5
PURE NICKEL INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
2. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) |
Fixed assets are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided for based on the estimated useful lives of the assets using the declining balance basis at the following annual rates:
| Office equipment | 20% |
| Computer hardware | 30% |
| Computer software | 100% |
| (f) | Mineral properties |
| | |
| | Mineral property acquisition and exploration costs are recorded at cost. All direct and indirect costs related to the acquisition of the interests are capitalized until the properties to which they relate are placed into production, sold, or management determines that there is an impairment in value. The recorded cost of mineral properties consists of cash paid, the value of shares or warrants issued, and exploration and development costs incurred. These costs will be amortized on the basis of units of production produced in relation to the proven reserves available on the related property following commencement of production. Mineral properties that are sold before a property reaches the production stage have proceeds from the sale of the property credited against the cost of the property, and any excess recognized as income. |
| | |
| (g) | Investments |
| | |
| | Investments consist of warrants received as part of option agreements negotiated with venture partners. A fair value is ascribed to the warrants at the transaction date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, and that amount is offset against capitalized mineral property expenditures. At each subsequent balance sheet date, the fair value is recalculated and any gain or loss is reported in the consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss and deficit. |
| | |
| (h) | Impairment of long-lived assets |
| | |
| | The recoverability of long-lived assets, which include fixed assets, investments, and mineral properties, is assessed when an event occurs that indicates impairment. Recoverability is based upon factors such as future asset utilization and the future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use or sale of the related assets. An impairment loss is recognized in the period when it is determined that the carrying amount of the asset will not be recoverable and exceeds its fair value. At that time the carrying amount is written down to fair value. |
| | |
| (i) | Foreign currency translation |
| | |
| | The consolidated financial statements are stated in Canadian dollars, which is the Company’s functional currency. Transactions and account balances in foreign currencies and the accounts of integrated foreign subsidiaries have been translated into Canadian dollars using the temporal method. Under the temporal method, monetary assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet dates. Non-monetary assets and liabilities are translated at historic exchange rates. Revenue and expenses are translated at the exchange rates in effect on the transaction dates, except for depreciation, which is translated on the same basis as the related asset. The resulting exchange gains and losses are recognized in income. |
6
PURE NICKEL INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
2. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) |
| (j) | Loss per share |
| | |
| | Basic loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Outstanding stock options and warrants have not been considered in the computation of diluted loss per share as the result would be anti-dilutive. |
| | |
| (k) | Stock-based compensation |
| | |
| | The Company has a plan for granting stock options to management, directors, employees and consultants. The Company recognizes compensation expense for this plan at fair value. Under this method, the fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of the grant and amortized over the vesting period, with the resulting amortization credited to contributed surplus. The fair value of each grant is determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Consideration paid upon the exercise of stock options is recorded as share capital. |
| | |
| (l) | Asset retirement obligations |
| | |
| | The Company recognizes liabilities for statutory, contractual or legal obligations associated with the reclamation of mineral properties. Initially, a liability for an asset retirement obligation is recognized at its fair value in the period in which it is incurred and the corresponding asset retirement cost is added to the carrying amount of the related asset. The cost is amortized over the economic life of the asset using either the unit-of-production method or the straight-line method, as appropriate. Following the initial recognition of the asset retirement obligation, the carrying amount of the liability is adjusted for changes to the amount or timing of the underlying cash flows needed to settle the obligation. As at February 28, 2011 and 2010, the Company had not incurred any asset retirement obligations related to the exploration of its mineral properties. |
| | |
| (m) | Income taxes |
| | |
| | Future income taxes are recorded using the asset and liability method whereby future income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Future tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted or substantively enacted tax rates expected to apply when the asset is realized or the liability settled. The effect on future tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that substantive enactment or enactment occurs. To the extent that the Company does not consider it more likely than not that a future tax asset will be recovered, it provides a valuation allowance against the excess. |
| | |
| (n) | Financial instruments |
| | |
| | Cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and investments are designated as held-for- trading and are measured at fair value. Amounts receivable are designated as loans and receivables and are measured at amortized cost. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities are designated as other financial liabilities and are measured at amortized cost. Changes in fair value of held-for-trading financial instruments are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss and deficit and included in deficit on the consolidated balance sheets. |
7
PURE NICKEL INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
3. | ADOPTION OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS |
| (a) | Business Combinations |
| | |
| | In January 2009, the CICA issued Handbook Sections 1582 –Business Combinations, 1601 – |
| | |
| | Consolidated Financial Statementsand 1602 –Non-Controlling Interestswhich replace CICA Handbook Sections 1581 –Business Combinationsand 1600 –Consolidated Financial Statements. Section 1582 establishes standards for the accounting for business combinations that is equivalent to the business combination accounting standard under International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). Section 1601 together with Section 1602 establishes standards for the preparation of consolidated financial statements. The Company adopted these sections effective December 1, 2010, which had no effect on its consolidated financial statements. |
| | |
| (b) | International Financial Reporting Standards |
| | |
| | The Canadian Accounting Standards Board has confirmed fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2011 as the date that IFRS will replace Canadian GAAP for publicly accountable enterprises. As a result, the Company will report under IFRS for interim and annual periods beginning December 1, 2011 with comparative information for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2011 restated under IFRS. Adoption of IFRS as Canadian GAAP will require the Company to make certain accounting policy choices and could materially affect its reported financial position and results of operations. |
4. | RESTRICTED CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS |
| |
| Restricted cash and cash equivalents include funds invested in guaranteed investment certificates with maturities of less than three months as security for corporate credit cards. The funds securing the corporate credit cards are restricted and cannot be withdrawn while the credit cards are outstanding. |
| |
5. | SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS |
| |
| Short-term investments represent funds invested in guaranteed investment certificates placed with a Schedule I Canadian bank. |
8
PURE NICKEL INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | Accumulated | | | Net book | |
| February 28, 2011 | | Cost | | | depreciation | | | value | |
| Office equipment | $ | 3,866 | | $ | 1,800 | | $ | 2,066 | |
| Computer hardware | | 18,319 | | | 9,120 | | | 9,199 | |
| Computer software | | 14,776 | | | 14,559 | | | 217 | |
| | $ | 36,961 | | $ | 25,479 | | $ | 11,482 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | Accumulated | | | Net book | |
| November 30, 2010 | | Cost | | | depreciation | | | value | |
| Office equipment | $ | 3,866 | | $ | 1,691 | | $ | 2,175 | |
| Computer hardware | | 18,319 | | | 8,375 | | | 9,944 | |
| Computer software | | 14,776 | | | 14,486 | | | 290 | |
| | $ | 36,961 | | $ | 24,552 | | $ | 12,409 | |
| | | | | | Expenditures | | | | | | Value | | | | |
| | | Balance, | | | capitalized, | | | | | | ascribed to | | | Balance, | |
| Three months ended | | beginning | | | net of | | | Impair- | | | warrants | | | end | |
| February 28, 2011 | | of period | | | recoveries | | | ment | | | received | | | of period | |
| Copper King Milford (a) | $ | 4,558,253 | | $ | 124,372 | | $ | – | | $ | – | | $ | 4,682,625 | |
| MAN Project (b) | | 8,369,949 | | | – | | | – | | | – | | | 8,369,949 | |
| Salt Chuck (c) | | 246,358 | | | 380 | | | – | | | – | | | 246,738 | |
| Fond du Lac (d) | | 4,337,955 | | | 14,819 | | | – | | | – | | | 4,352,774 | |
| William Lake (e(i)) | | 20,535,053 | | | 142,735 | | | – | | | – | | | 20,677,788 | |
| Tower (e(ii)) | | 37,220 | | | 75 | | | – | | | – | | | 37,295 | |
| Forgues and HPM (e(iii)) | | (94,917 | ) | | 2,000 | | | – | | | – | | | (92,917 | ) |
| Manibridge (e(iv)) | | 431,667 | | | 1,000 | | | – | | | – | | | 432,667 | |
| Raglan (e(v)) | | (3,930 | ) | | 4,488 | | | – | | | – | | | 558 | |
| Rainbow (e(vi)) | | 137,683 | | | 7,319 | | | – | | | – | | | 145,002 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 38,555,291 | | $ | 297,188 | | $ | – | | $ | – | | $ | 38,852,479 | |
9
PURE NICKEL INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
7. | MINERAL PROPERTIES (continued) |
| | |
| (a) | Copper King, Milford, Utah, United States |
| | |
| | The Copper King, Milford properties had been operated by Copper King Mining Corporation (including its subsidiary, Western Utah Copper Company – “WUCC”). The Company has a net smelter royalty (NSR) agreement with WUCC to receive 1% of the net proceeds from the first 10 million pounds of copper produced, 1.5% of net proceeds on all copper produced thereafter and 2% of net smelter proceeds on all other minerals produced. Total royalties are capped at US$10 million ($9.7 million) and may be subject to a net profits interest on copper production from certain claims (held by a group of private investors that include a current director of the Company – see Note 14) which will not exceed US$1.2 million ($1.2 million) in the aggregate. In addition there may be a 2% net smelter return royalty on certain claims, held by another party. See also Note 18 – Contingencies. |
| | |
| (b) | MAN Property, Alaska, United States |
| | |
| | The 40,380 hectare MAN Property is located 265 kilometres southeast of Fairbanks, Alaska. During 2008, the Company entered into an agreement with Itochu Corporation under which, in consideration for being granted an option for a participating interest in the property, Itochu agreed to reimburse exploration expenses incurred at MAN to a maximum of US$6.5 million ($7.6 million) for 2008 and 2009. |
| | |
| | In March, 2010 Itochu exercised its option by paying US$500,000 ($507,800). In consideration for accelerating the exploration program in 2010 by 90% from the previously agreed amount, and for accelerating other payments going forward, Itochu’s participating interest granted under the option was increased to 30% from the 20% originally agreed. Itochu agreed to fund an exploration budget of US$7.5 million ($7.7 million) in 2010, and it has the right to earn up to a 75% interest in the MAN property by investing an aggregate of US$40 million (approximately $41 million) and meeting certain other conditions, by 2013. |
| | |
| | Effective April 1, 2010, pursuant to the agreement with Itochu, this property has been owned by MAN Alaska LLC, a joint venture in which the Company has a 70% membership interest. |
| | |
| (c) | Salt Chuck, Alaska, United States |
| | |
| | The Salt Chuck property consists of mining claims covering approximately 1,082 hectares near the historic Salt Chuck mine on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska. |
| | |
| (d) | Fond du Lac Project (formerly known as Axis Lake Project), Saskatchewan, Canada |
| | |
| | Fond du Lac is located in northern Saskatchewan and comprises six contiguous claims covering 19,713 hectares on the northern edge of the Athabaska Basin. |
10
PURE NICKEL INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
7. | MINERAL PROPERTIES (continued) |
| | |
| (e) | Former Xstrata properties |
In 2007, the Company purchased the property rights for the properties listed below from Xstrata Nickel, a division of Falconbridge Limited, subject to a 2% net smelter return royalty. In addition, Xstrata has a one-time right to repurchase a 50% working interest in any one of the properties if certain conditions are met. Xstrata also has the right to purchase 100% of the ore produced at market prices.
(i) William Lake, Manitoba, Canada
The William Lake property is located in central Manitoba. There is no joint venture partner on this property at present.
(ii) Tower property, Manitoba, Canada
The Tower property is located immediately north of the William Lake property. During 2008, the Company entered into an option agreement with Rockcliff Resources Inc. under which Rockcliff may earn up to a 70% interest in the Tower property located within the William Lake property area. As at date of writing, Rockcliff has not vested any interest in these claims but work is proceeding under the agreement.
(iii) Forgues and HPM, Quebec, Canada
In 2007, the Company granted Manicouagan Minerals Inc. an option to earn up to a 70% interest in 39 mining claims comprising the Forgues and HPM property in Quebec. In November 2009 Manicouagan had made the required option payments and exploration expenditures to earn a 50% interest in the property. This is a related party transaction as a director of the Company is the founder and a significant shareholder of Manicouagan (Note 14).
(iv) Manibridge, Manitoba, Canada
The Manibridge property is located in Manitoba, 128 km southwest of Thompson. The Company has a 50-50 joint venture agreement with Crowflight Minerals Inc. to explore for deposits. Each party must contribute properties as well as $3 million each, over a four year period to fund preliminary exploration activities. The Company also has an option to earn a 50% interest from Crowflight in an area surrounding the joint venture area subject to meeting certain expenditure requirements.
(v) Raglan, Quebec, Canada
Raglan property located in northern Quebec and comprises two properties: SR1 and Nuvilik. During the fourth quarter of 2010 the Company made the decision to not renew the mining claims on the SR1 portion of the Raglan property.
(vi) Rainbow, Nunavut, Canada
The Rainbow property is located in a remote region of Nunavut and consists of mining claims covering approximately 20,000 hectares.
11
PURE NICKEL INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
| (a) | Share capital |
| | |
| | Share capital consists of unlimited authorized common shares without par value. There are 67,832,226 common shares issued and outstanding at February 28, 2011 (November 30, 2010 – 67,765,559). |
| | | | | | | | | | | | Total share- | |
| | | | | | Contributed | | | | | | holders’ | |
| | | Capital stock | | | surplus | | | Deficit | | | equity | |
| As at November 30, 2010 | $ | 44,441,620 | | $ | 12,035,229 | | $ | (14,016,092 | ) | $ | 42,460,757 | |
| Stock-based compensation | | – | | | 19,508 | | | – | | | 19,508 | |
| Net loss | | – | | | – | | | (360,394 | ) | | (360,394 | ) |
| As at February 28, 2011 | $ | 44,441,620 | | $ | 12,054,737 | | $ | (14,376,486 | ) | $ | 42,119,871 | |
| (b) | Stock options |
| | |
| | On May 13, 2008, the shareholders approved a stock option plan that permits the Company to issue share options up to a cumulative amount that may not exceed 10% of shares outstanding. This limit includes options issued under the Company’s previous option plan. The exercise price for each option granted under the Plan is based upon the five-day weighted average market price at the date of the grant, and the term may not exceed ten years from the date of the grant of the option. The specific terms including vesting period and term of the option are set by the board of directors. |
12
PURE NICKEL INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
8. | SHARE CAPITAL (continued) |
| |
| Stock option activity since November 30, 2008 is presented below: |
| | | | | | Weighted | |
| | | | | | average | |
| | | Number of | | | exercise | |
| | | shares | | | price $ | |
| Outstanding, November 30, 2008 | | 4,175,000 | | | 0.83 | |
| Granted | | 1,485,000 | | | 0.09 | |
| Expired | | (1,200,000 | ) | | 0.88 | |
| Outstanding, November 30, 2009 | | 4,460,000 | | | 0.56 | |
| Granted | | 2,630,000 | | | 0.22 | |
| Exercised | | (66,667 | ) | | 0.065 | |
| Cancelled | | (33,333 | ) | | 0.065 | |
| Expired | | (1,900,000 | ) | | 1.11 | |
| Outstanding, November 30, 2010 | | 5,090,000 | | | 0.19 | |
| Expired | | (100,000 | ) | | 0.31 | |
| Outstanding, February 28, 2011 | | 4,990,000 | | | 0.19 | |
The following stock options are outstanding and exercisable at February 28, 2011:
| Options outstanding | Options exercisable |
| | | Weighted | | | |
| | | average | | | Weighted |
| Exercise | | remaining | Exercise | | average |
| price | Number of | contractual life | price | Number of | exercise |
| $ | shares | in years | $ | shares | price $ |
| 0.06 | 785,000 | 0.8 | 0.06 | 785,000 | 0.06 |
| 0.065 | 400,000 | 1.1 | 0.065 | 400,000 | 0.065 |
| 0.20 | 2,230,000 | 2.2 | 0.20 | 1,480,000 | 0.20 |
| 0.26 | 975,000 | 0.1 | 0.26 | 975,000 | 0.26 |
| 0.265 | 200,000 | 1.3 | 0.265 | 200,000 | 0.265 |
| 0.30 | 400,000 | 2.4 | 0.30 | 400,000 | 0.30 |
| | 4,990,000 | 1.5 | 0.19 | 4,240,000 | 0.19 |
Stock options outstanding at February 28, 2011 expire from April 21, 2011 to July 7, 2013.
13
PURE NICKEL INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
| | | Three months | | | | |
| | | ended | | | Year ended | |
| | | February 28, | | | November 30, | |
| | | 2011 | | | 2010 | |
| Balance, beginning of period | $ | 12,035,229 | | $ | 11,720,793 | |
| Stock-based compensation expense | | 19,508 | | | 320,936 | |
| Exercise of stock option | | – | | | (6,500 | ) |
| Balance, end of period | $ | 12,054,737 | | $ | 12,035,229 | |
10. | STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION |
| |
| During the three months ended February 28, 2011, the Company did not grant any stock options to directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company (February 28, 2010 – nil). |
| |
| During the three months ended February 28, 2011, the Company recognized $19,508 of stock based compensation expense as a result of the vesting of options previously granted (2010 - $5,298), which has been recorded in the consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss and deficit. |
| |
11. | INCOME TAXES |
| |
| In assessing the realization of the Company’s future income tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the future income tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of future tax assets is dependent upon the generation of taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of future income tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. The amount of future income tax assets considered realizable could change materially in the near term based on future taxable income generated during the carry-forward period. |
| |
12. | LOSS PER SHARE |
| |
| The weighted average number of shares outstanding used in the computation of loss per share for the three months ended February 28, 2011 was 67,832,226 (2010 - 67,765,559). Outstanding stock options, warrants, agent share warrants and agent unit warrants have not been considered in the computation of diluted loss per share as the result is anti-dilutive. |
14
PURE NICKEL INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
13. | SUPPLEMENTARY CASH FLOW INFORMATION |
| | | February 28, | | | February 28, | |
| | | 2011 | | | 2010 | |
| Non-cash investing and financing activities: | | | | | | |
| Warrants received for options on mineral property | $ | − | | $ | 193,000 | |
| | | | | | | |
| Cash paid for: | | | | | | |
| Interest | $ | 3 | | $ | 14 | |
14. | RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS |
| |
| During the three months ended February 28, 2011, the Company incurred legal expenses, which are included within administration and general expenses, with a firm of which a director of the Company was a principal, of $1,692 (2010 - $1,679), and paid directors of the Company, and companies controlled by directors of the Company, $nil (2010 - $nil) for consulting services. These transactions were in the normal course of operations and have been recorded at the exchange amounts which the parties believe to be fair value. |
| |
| As described in Notes 7(a) and 7(e)(ii) respectively, a director of the Company is part of a group of investors that may have a net profit interest in copper production of the Copper King property, and a director is the founder and a significant shareholder of Manicouagan Minerals which holds an option in one of the Company’s properties. |
| |
15. | FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS |
| (a) | Fair value |
| | |
| | The Company has various financial instruments comprising of cash and cash equivalents, short- term investments, amounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities. The carrying values of these financial instruments approximate their fair value due to their short-term maturities. |
| | |
| | Investments consist of warrants to purchase common shares of other entities. These are accounted for as derivatives, and thus recorded at their fair value, which at February 28, 2011 was $66,875. The valuate was calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model which takes into account various factors including the strike price of the warrants, the current market prices of the underlying securities and the expected volatility of the prices of the underlying securities. The latter two factors may fluctuate significantly during the term that the warrant is held. In addition, the value of the warrants is reduced as time goes by and the time remaining until expiry is reduced. For these reasons, the fair value of the investments may fluctuate significantly, with the maximum loss restricted to the fair value of the investments noted above. |
| | |
| (b) | Credit risk |
| | |
| | The following assets are exposed to credit risk: cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments. The Company maintains all of its cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments invested in demand deposits and short-term instruments at a major Canadian financial institution. Most of these amounts are not insured but depend upon the general creditworthiness of the institution. The Company believes that exposure to credit risk is low. |
15
PURE NICKEL INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
| (c) | Liquidity risk |
| | |
| | The Company has no debt and almost all of its financial assets are liquid, therefore has very limited exposure to liquidity risk. |
| | |
| (d) | Interest rate risk |
| | |
| | The Company is not exposed to significant interest rate risk due to the short-term maturity of its monetary assets and liabilities. |
| | |
| (e) | Currency risk |
| | |
| | As the Company operates in the United States, some of the Company’s financial instruments and transactions are denominated in United States funds. Fluctuation in the exchange rates between the United States dollar and the Canadian dollar could have a material effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. |
| | |
| | At February 28, 2011, the Company had net monetary assets denominated in United States funds of $567,663 (US$584,352). Based upon the year-end balance, an increase of 15% in the Canada to U.S. dollar exchange would result in an increase in the net loss and comprehensive loss of $74,000, and a reduction of 15% would result in a reduction in the net loss and comprehensive loss of $97,000. Management believes that it is not likely but it is possible that the exchange rate could fluctuate by more than 15% within the next 12 months. |
16. | JOINT VENTURE |
| |
| The Company’s investment in the MAN Alaska property is owned by MAN Alaska LLC, a joint venture in which the Company has a 70% membership interest. The joint venture was established effective April 1, 2010. |
| |
| As at February 28, 2011, the Company’s interest in that joint venture consists of the following asset: |
| Mineral property | $8,111,041 |
| During the three months ended February 28, 2011, the Company’s interest in revenues, expenses and cash flows in the joint venture were nil. |
| |
17. | CAPITAL DISCLOSURES |
| |
| The Company considers all of the components of shareholders’ equity to be capital. The Company’s objectives in managing capital are to safeguard its ability to operate as a going concern and to generate a superior return to shareholders. The Company has no debt and does not expect to enter into debt financing. It expects to finance exploration activity through joint ventures, sales of property interests, and by raising additional share capital when market conditions are suitable. Neither the Company nor its subsidiaries are subject to externally imposed capital requirements. There were no changes to the Company’s approach to capital management during the year. |
16
PURE NICKEL INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
18. | CONTINGENCIES |
| |
| In 2009 the Company (through a subsidiary) filed an action for declaratory relief against Western Utah Copper Company (WUCC) in the United States District Court, Utah, requesting interpretation of and the status and rights under an agreement. WUCC filed an answer and counterclaim, and, the Company filed a response to the counterclaim. In May 2010, WUCC and its parent company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and appointed a new chief executive officer. WUCC has significant secured and unsecured debts and its assets appear to be less than its outstanding loans. The Company’s litigation was automatically stayed due to the Chapter 11 filing, and it has requested that the court lift the stay in connection with the litigation as it believes that resolution of its claims is a critical element in the bankruptcy. On August 27, 2010, a new action was launched against the Company by WUCC which is very similar to the counterclaims made in response to the Company’s original lawsuit. |
| |
| Management is of the opinion the court actions and related claims by WUCC are without merit and that the most likely outcome is that management of the property, upon which the operation’s concentrate mill is located, will revert back to the Company. Failing that, the Company believes that the actions taken by it will ensure that the agreement under which it filed the claim for declaratory relief remains in place and will be confirmed by the court. However, the outcome of litigation is always uncertain. |
| |
19. | SEGMENT DISCLOSURES |
| |
| The Company’s fixed assets and mineral properties by geographic distribution are as follows: |
| February 28, 2011 | | Canada | | | United States | | | Total | |
| Fixed assets | $ | 11,482 | | $ | – | | $ | 11,482 | |
| Mineral properties | | 25,553,167 | | | 13,299,312 | | | 38,852,479 | |
| | $ | 25,564,649 | | $ | 13,299,312 | | | 38,863,961 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| November 30, 2010 | | Canada | | | United States | | | Total | |
| Fixed assets | $ | 12,409 | | $ | – | | $ | 12,409 | |
| Mineral properties | | 25,380,731 | | | 13,174,560 | | | 38,555,291 | |
| | $ | 25,393,140 | | $ | 13,174,560 | | $ | 38,567,700 | |
20. | COMPARATIVE FIGURES |
| |
| Certain comparative figures have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. |
17
PURE NICKEL INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
21. | DIFFERENCES BETWEEN GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES IN CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES |
| |
| These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (“Canadian GAAP”), which differ in certain respects from those generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). Under Canadian GAAP, the Company capitalizes all costs related to the acquisition, exploration and development of non- producing mineral properties. Under U.S. GAAP, acquisition costs of mineral rights are capitalized, but exploration and development costs are expensed as incurred, until the establishment of commercially mineable reserves is complete, at which time any further exploration costs are capitalized. Under Canadian GAAP, enterprises in the development stage are encouraged to disclose cumulative information from the inception of the development stage. Under U.S. GAAP, this disclosure is required. Cumulative net losses since inception aggregate $14,376,486. |
| |
| Under Canadian GAAP, the Company is required to account for the MAN Alaska LLC joint venture following proportionate consolidation. Under U.S. GAAP, the joint venture would be accounted for on the equity basis. |
| |
| For Canadian GAAP, cash flows relating to mineral property exploration are reported as investing activities. For U.S. GAAP, these costs would be characterized as operating activities. |
| |
| In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS 168 –The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles – a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162. SFAS 168 provides for the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) to become the single official source of authoritative, nongovernmental U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The ASC did not change GAAP but reorganizes the literature. SFAS 168 was effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. The adoption of this statement has not had any effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. |
| |
| In February 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-09, “Subsequent Events (Topic 855); Amendments to Certain Recognition and Disclosure Requirements” (“ASU 2010-9”). The standard amends Subtopic 855-10, “Subsequent Events” to remove the requirement for a SEC filer to disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated. ASU 2010-9 is effective upon issuance of the final update. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2010-09 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. |
18
PURE NICKEL INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
21. | DIFFERENCES BETWEEN GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES IN CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES (continued) |
| |
| The differences in accounting for mineral properties under Canadian and U.S. GAAP had the following effects on the Company’s financial statements. |
| (i) Net Loss and Loss per Share | | | | | | |
| | | Three months | | | Three months | |
| | | ended | | | ended | |
| | | February 28, | | | February 28, | |
| | | 2011 | | | 2010 | |
| Net loss under Canadian GAAP | $ | (360,394 | ) | $ | (393,940 | ) |
| Capitalized expenditures on unproven mineral properties | | (78,990 | ) | | 48,986 | |
| Net loss under U.S. GAAP | $ | (439,384 | ) | $ | (344,954 | ) |
| Loss per share under U.S. GAAP – basic and diluted | $ | (0.006 | ) | $ | (0.005 | ) |
| | | | | | | |
| (ii) Mineral Properties | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | February 28, | | | November 30, | |
| | | 2011 | | | 2010 | |
| Mineral properties under Canadian GAAP | $ | 38,852,479 | | $ | 38,555,291 | |
| Capitalized expenditures on unproven mineral properties | | (18,880,881 | ) | | (18,801,891 | ) |
| Reclassification to investment in joint venture | | (69,024 | ) | | (69,024 | ) |
| Mineral properties under U.S. GAAP | $ | 19,902,574 | | $ | 19,684,376 | |
| | | | | | | |
| (iii) Investment in Joint Venture | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | February 28, | | | November 30, | |
| | | 2011 | | | 2010 | |
| Investment in joint venture under Canadian GAAP | $ | – | | $ | – | |
| Reclassification from mineral properties | | 69,024 | | | 69,024 | |
| Investment in joint venture under U.S. GAAP | $ | 69,024 | | $ | 69,024 | |
| | | | | | | |
| (iv) Deficit | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | February 28, | | | November 30, | |
| | | 2011 | | | 2010 | |
| Deficit under Canadian GAAP | $ | (14,376,486 | ) | $ | (14,016,092 | ) |
| Capitalized expenditures on unproven mineral properties | | (18,880,881 | ) | | (18,801,891 | ) |
| Deficit under U.S. GAAP | $ | (33,257,367 | ) | $ | (32,817,983 | ) |
19