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INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD - Quarter Report: 2020 June (Form 10-Q)

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

 

x   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
     
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2020
 
OR
 
    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from to

 

  Commission file number: 001-33638  

INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

British Columbia, Canada N/A
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
   
2300-1177 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6E 2K3
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
V6E 2K3
(Zip code)
   
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (604) 683-6332
   

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class:  Trading Symbol:  Name of each exchange on which registered:
Common Shares, no par value  THM  NYSE American

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

Yes   x      No   ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

 

Yes   x      No   ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer       ¨ Accelerated filer                      ¨
Non-accelerated filer         x Smaller reporting company     x
  Emerging growth company     ¨

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.    ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨  No x

 

As of July 31, 2020, the registrant had 187,573,671 common shares outstanding.

 

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

    Page
Part I FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
Item 1 Financial Statements 4
Item 2 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 16
Item 3 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 20
Item 4 Controls and Procedures 20
     
Part II OTHER INFORMATION  
Item 1 Legal Proceedings 21
Item 1A Risk Factors 21
Item 2 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 21
Item 3 Defaults Upon Senior Securities 21
Item 4 Mine Safety Disclosures 21
Item 5 Other Information 21
Item 6 Exhibits 22
     
SIGNATURES   23

 

 

 

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE TO U.S. INVESTORS REGARDING ESTIMATES OF MEASURED, INDICATED AND
INFERRED RESOURCES AND PROVEN AND PROBABLE RESERVES

 

International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. (“we”, “us”, “our,” “ITH” or the “Company”) is a mineral exploration company engaged in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties. As used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the terms “mineral reserve”, “proven mineral reserve” and “probable mineral reserve” are Canadian mining terms as defined in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the “CIM”) - CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council, as amended. These definitions differ from the definitions in the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Industry Guide 7 (“SEC Industry Guide 7”). Under SEC Industry Guide 7 standards, a “final” or “bankable” feasibility study is required to report reserves, the three-year historical average price is used in any reserve or cash flow analysis to designate reserves, and the primary environmental analysis or report must be filed with the appropriate governmental authority. In addition, the terms “mineral resource”, “measured mineral resource”, “indicated mineral resource” and “inferred mineral resource” are defined in and required to be disclosed by NI 43-101; however, these terms are not defined terms under SEC Industry Guide 7 and are normally not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of a mineral deposit in these categories will ever be converted into reserves.

 

“Inferred mineral resources” have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian disclosure rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists or is economically or legally mineable.

 

Disclosure of “contained ounces” in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations if such disclosure includes the grade or quality and the quantity for each category of mineral resource and mineral reserve; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute “reserves” by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. Accordingly, information contained in this report and the documents incorporated by reference herein contain descriptions of our mineral deposits that may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

The term “mineralized material” as used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, although permissible under SEC Industry Guide 7, does not indicate “reserves” by SEC Industry Guide 7 standards. We cannot be certain that any part of the mineralized material will ever be confirmed or converted into SEC Industry Guide 7 compliant “reserves”. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of the mineralized material will ever be confirmed or converted into reserves or that mineralized material can be economically or legally extracted.

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE TO ALL INVESTORS CONCERNING ECONOMIC ASSESSMENTS THAT INCLUDE INFERRED RESOURCES

 

The Company currently holds or has the right to acquire interests in an advanced stage exploration project in Alaska referred to as the Livengood Gold Project (the “Livengood Gold Project” or the “Project”). Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves have no demonstrated economic viability. The preliminary assessments on the Project are preliminary in nature and include “inferred mineral resources” that have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian disclosure rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies. There is no certainty that such inferred mineral resources at the Project will ever be realized. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists or is economically or legally mineable.

 

 

 

 

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements or information within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning anticipated results and developments in the operations of the Company in future periods, planned exploration activities, the adequacy of the Company’s financial resources and other events or conditions that may occur in the future. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “potential,” “possible,” “plans” and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions or results “will,” “may,” “could” or “should” (or the negative and grammatical variations of any of these terms) occur or be achieved. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements concerning:

 

·the Company’s future cash requirements, the Company’s ability to meet its financial obligations as they come due, and the Company’s ability to be able to raise the necessary funds to continue operations on acceptable terms, if at all;

 

·the preparation, timing, costs, and any anticipated contents of an updated pre-feasibility study for the Livengood Gold Project;

 

·the potential for opportunities to improve recovery or further reduce costs at the Livengood Gold Project;

 

·the Company’s strategies and objectives, both generally and specifically in respect of the Livengood Gold Project;

 

·the Company’s belief that there are no known environmental issues that are anticipated to materially impact the Company’s ability to conduct mining operations at the Project;

 

·the potential for the expansion of the estimated resources at the Livengood Gold Project;

 

·the potential for a production decision concerning, and any production at, the Livengood Gold Project;

 

·the sequence of decisions regarding the timing and costs of development programs with respect to, and the issuance of the necessary permits and authorizations required for, the Livengood Gold Project;

 

·the Company’s estimates of the quality and quantity of the resources at the Livengood Gold Project;

 

·the timing and cost of any future exploration programs at the Livengood Gold Project, and the timing of the receipt of results therefrom; and

 

·future general business and economic conditions, including changes in the price of gold and the overall sentiment of the markets for public equity.

 

Such forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, among others:

 

·the demand for, and level and volatility of the price of gold;

 

·conditions in the financial markets generally, the overall sentiment of the markets for public equity, interest rates and currency rates;

 

·general business and economic conditions, including the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on such conditions;

 

·government regulation and proposed legislation (and changes thereto or interpretations thereof);

 

·defects in title to claims, or the ability to obtain surface rights, either of which could affect the Company’s property rights and claims;

 

·the Company’s ability to secure the necessary services and supplies on favorable terms in connection with its programs at the Livengood Gold Project and other activities;

 

·the Company’s ability to attract and retain key staff, particularly in connection with the permitting and development of any mine at the Livengood Gold Project;

 

·the accuracy of the Company’s resource estimates (including with respect to size and grade) and the geological, operational and price assumptions on which these are based;

 

·the timing of the ability to commence and complete planned work programs at the Livengood Gold Project;

 

·the timing of the receipt of and the terms of the consents, permits and authorizations necessary to carry out exploration and development programs at the Livengood Gold Project and the Company’s ability to comply with such terms on a safe and cost-effective basis;

 

·the ongoing relations of the Company with the lessors of its property interests and applicable regulatory agencies;

 

·the metallurgy and recovery characteristics of samples from certain of the Company’s mineral properties and whether such characteristics are reflective of the deposit as a whole; and

 

 

 

 

·the continued development of and potential construction of any mine at the Livengood Gold Project property not requiring consents, approvals, authorizations or permits that are materially different from those identified by the Company.

 

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company’s forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and actual achievements of the Company or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including without limitation those discussed in Part II, Item 1A, Risk Factors of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, which are incorporated herein by reference, as well as other factors described elsewhere in this report and the Company’s other reports filed with the SEC.

 

The Company’s forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management as of the date of this report. The Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management’s beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, except as required by law. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not attribute undue certainty to or place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

 

 

 

 

PART 1

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM BALANCE SHEETS

As at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019

(Expressed in US Dollars - Unaudited)

 

   Note   June 30, 2020  

December 31,
2019

 
ASSETS               
                
Current               
Cash and cash equivalents       $5,490,127   $6,937,621 
Prepaid expenses and other        201,601    238,554 
Total current assets        5,691,728    7,176,175 
                
Property and equipment        14,550    15,434 
Capitalized acquisition costs   4    55,375,124    55,375,124 
                
Total assets       $61,081,402   $62,566,733 
                
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY               
                
Current liabilities               
Accounts payable       $8,511   $18,433 
Accrued liabilities   5    237,724    317,324 
                
Total liabilities        246,235    335,757 
                
Shareholders’ equity               
Share capital, no par value; authorized 500,000,000 shares; 187,573,671 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2020   6    278,213,801    278,213,801 
Contributed surplus        35,417,526    35,069,274 
Accumulated other comprehensive income        1,251,329    1,574,011 
Deficit        (254,047,489)   (252,626,110)
                
Total shareholders’ equity        60,835,167    62,230,976 
                
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity       $61,081,402   $62,566,733 

 

General Information and Nature of Operations (Note 1)

Commitments (Note 8)

Subsequent Event (Note 9)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

4

 

 

INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

For the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

(Expressed in US Dollars - Unaudited)

 

       Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended 
   Note   June 30, 2020   June 30, 2019   June 30, 2020   June 30, 2019 
Operating expenses                         
Consulting fees   6   $340,576   $43,637   $380,995   $87,508 
Depreciation        442    579    885    1,158 
Insurance        35,662    30,791    66,886    60,629 
Investor relations   6    31,558    20,284    42,048    34,200 
Mineral property exploration   4    536,603    911,947    652,023    1,162,538 
Office        6,107    6,221    13,727    11,033 
Other        5,190    4,532    9,082    7,581 
Professional fees        37,040    44,656    89,160    92,117 
Regulatory        19,083    21,620    80,256    84,433 
Rent        33,939    33,931    67,872    67,864 
Travel        3,599    5,138    5,761    8,095 
Wages and benefits   6    230,203    176,777    384,733    332,528 
Total operating expenses        (1,280,002)   (1,300,113)   (1,793,428)   (1,949,684)
                          
Other income (expenses)                         
(Loss)/gain on foreign exchange        (225,095)   (159,708)   316,091    (363,246)
Interest income        13,341    49,036    50,666    81,233 
Other income        5,292    23,731    5,292    23,731 
Total other income (expenses)        (206,462)   (86,941)   372,049    (258,282)
                          
Net loss for the period        (1,486,464)   (1,387,054)   (1,421,379)   (2,207,966)
                          
Other comprehensive income (loss)                         
Exchange difference on translating foreign operations        230,652    160,694    (322,682)   366,719 
Total other comprehensive income (loss) for the period        230,652    160,694    (322,682)   366,719 
Comprehensive loss for the period       $(1,255,812)  $(1,226,360)  $(1,744,061)  $(1,841,247)
                          
Basic and diluted loss per share       $(0.01)  $(0.01)  $(0.01)  $(0.01)
                          
Weighted average number of shares outstanding – basic and diluted        187,573,671    187,238,729    187,573,671    187,142,553 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

5

 

 

INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

(Expressed in US Dollars - Unaudited)

 

   Six-Month Period Ended June 30, 2020 
   Number of
shares
   Share
capital
   Contributed
surplus
   Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income
   Deficit   Total 
Balance, December 31, 2019   187,573,671   $278,213,801   $35,069,274   $1,574,011   $(252,626,110)  $62,230,976 
 Stock-based compensation-options   -    -    53,635    -    -    53,635 
 Stock-based compensation-DSUs   -    -    294,617    -    -    294,617 
 Exchange difference on translating foreign operations   -    -    -    (322,682)   -    (322,682)
 Net loss   -    -    -    -    (1,421,379)   (1,421,379)
Balance, June 30, 2020   187,573,671   $278,213,801   $35,417,526   $1,251,329   $(254,047,489)  $60,835,167 

 

   Three-Month Period Ended June 30, 2020 
   Number of
shares
   Share
capital
   Contributed
surplus
   Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income
   Deficit   Total 
Balance, March 31, 2020   187,573,671   $278,213,801   $35,069,274   $1,020,677   $(252,561,025)  $61,742,727 
Stock-based compensation-options   -    -    53,635    -    -    53,635 
Stock-based compensation-DSUs   -    -    294,617    -    -    294,617 
Exchange difference on translating foreign operations   -    -    -    230,652    -    230,652 
Net loss   -    -    -    -    (1,486,464)   (1,486,464)
Balance, June 30, 2020   187,573,671   $278,213,801   $35,417,526   $1,251,329   $(254,047,489)  $60,835,167 

 

   Six-Month Period Ended June 30, 2019 
   Number of
shares
   Share
capital
   Contributed
surplus
   Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income
   Deficit   Total 
Balance, December 31, 2018   186,990,683   $277,852,672   $34,960,292   $1,162,900   $(248,799,703)  $65,176,161 
Stock-based compensation-options   -    -    1,686    -    -    1,686 
Exchange difference on translating foreign operations   -    -    -    366,719    -    366,719 
Share issuance   461,814    245,592    (245,592)   -    -    - 
Exercise of options   121,174    64,254    -    -    -    64,254 
Reallocation from contributed surplus   -    51,283    (51,283)   -    -    - 
Net loss   -    -    -    -    (2,207,966)   (2,207,966)
Balance, June 30, 2019   187,573,671   $278,213,801   $34,665,103   $1,529,619   $(251,007,669)  $63,400,854 

 

   Three-Month Period Ended June 30, 2019 
   Number of
shares
   Share
capital
   Contributed
surplus
   Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income
   Deficit   Total 
Balance, March 31, 2019   187,111,857   $277,968,209   $34,910,695   $1,368,925   $(249,620,615)  $64,627,214 
Exchange difference on translating foreign operations   -    -    -    160,694    -    160,694 
Share issuance   461,814    245,592    (245,592)   -    -    - 
Net loss   -    -    -    -    (1,387,054)   (1,387,054)
Balance, June 30, 2019   187,573,671   $278,213,801   $34,665,103   $1,529,619   $(251,007,669)  $63,400,854 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

6

 

 

INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

(Expressed in US Dollars - Unaudited)

 

   Six Months Ended 
   June 30, 2020   June 30, 2019 
Operating Activities          
Loss for the period  $(1,421,379)  $(2,207,966)
Add items not affecting cash:          
Depreciation   885    1,158 
Stock-based compensation-option   53,635    1,686 
Stock-based compensation-DSU   294,617    - 
Changes in non-cash items:          
Accounts receivable   103,194    48,874 
Prepaid expenses and other   (75,260)   (58,476)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   (87,358)   (106,678)
Cash used in operating activities   (1,131,666)   (2,321,402)
           
Financing Activities          
Issuance of common shares   -    64,254 
Cash provided by financing activities   -    64,254 
Investing Activities          
Capitalized acquisition costs   -    (31,819)
Cash used in investing financing activities   -    (31,819)
Effect of foreign exchange on cash   (315,828)   362,182 
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents   (1,447,494)   (1,926,785)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period   6,937,621    10,228,964 
           
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period  $5,490,127   $8,302,179 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

7

 

 

INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

(Expressed in US dollars – Unaudited)

 

1.GENERAL INFORMATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS

 

International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. (“ITH” or the “Company”) is incorporated under the laws of British Columbia, Canada. The Company’s head office address is 2300-1177 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

 

International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. consists of ITH and its wholly-owned subsidiaries Tower Hill Mines, Inc. (“TH Alaska”) (an Alaska corporation), Tower Hill Mines (US) LLC (“TH US”) (a Colorado limited liability company), and Livengood Placers, Inc. (“LPI”) (a Nevada corporation). The Company is in the business of acquiring, exploring and evaluating mineral properties, and either joint venturing or developing these properties further or disposing of them when the evaluation is completed. At June 30, 2020, the Company has a 100% interest in its Livengood Gold Project, an exploration-stage project in Alaska, U.S.A.

 

These unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared on a going-concern basis, which presumes the realization of assets and discharge of liabilities in the normal course of business for the foreseeable future.

 

As at June 30, 2020, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $5,490,127 compared to $6,937,621 at December 31, 2019. The Company has no revenue generating operations from which it can internally generate funds.

 

The Company will require significant additional financing to continue its operations (including general and administrative expenses) in connection with advancing activities at the Livengood Gold Project and the development of any mine that may be determined to be built at the Livengood Gold Project. There is no assurance that the Company will make a decision to build a mine at the Livengood Gold Project and, if so, that it will be able to obtain the additional financing required on acceptable terms, if at all. In addition, any significant delays in the issuance of required permits for the ongoing work at the Livengood Gold Project, or unexpected results in connection with the ongoing work, could result in the Company being required to raise additional funds to advance permitting efforts. The Company’s review of its financing options includes pursuing a future strategic alliance to assist in further development, permitting and future construction costs, although there can be no assurance that any such strategic alliance will, in fact, be realized.

 

Despite the Company’s success to date in raising significant equity financing to fund its operations, there is significant uncertainty that the Company will be able to secure any additional financing in the current or future equity markets. The amount of funds to be raised and the terms of any proposed equity financing that may be undertaken will be negotiated by management as opportunities to raise funds arise. Specific plans related to the use of proceeds will be devised once financing has been completed and management knows what funds will be available for these purposes.

 

2.BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

These unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for annual financial statements. These unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019 as filed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the opinion of the Company’s management, these financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position at June 30, 2020 and the results of its operations for the six months then ended. Operating results for the six months ended June 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2020.

 

 

8

 

 

INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

(Expressed in US dollars – Unaudited)

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. These judgments, estimates and assumptions are continuously evaluated and are based on management’s experience and knowledge of the relevant facts and circumstances. While management believes the estimates to be reasonable, actual results could differ from those estimates and could impact future results of operations and cash flows.

 

On August 7, 2020, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) approved these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

Basis of consolidation

 

These condensed consolidated interim financial statements include the accounts of ITH and its wholly-owned subsidiaries TH Alaska, TH US, and LPI. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

 

3.FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their fair values due to the short-term maturity of these financial instruments.

 

Financial instruments measured at fair value are classified into one of three levels in the fair value hierarchy according to the significance of the inputs used in making the measurement. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

 

·Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
·Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly; and
·Level 3 – Inputs that are not based on observable market data.

 

4.CAPITALIZED ACQUISITION COSTS

 

The Company had the following activity related to capitalized acquisition costs:

 

Capitalized acquisition costs  Amount 
Balance, December 31, 2019  $55,375,124 
Acquisition costs   - 
Balance, June 30, 2020  $55,375,124 

 

The following table presents costs incurred for exploration and evaluation activities for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019:

 

   June 30, 2020   June 30, 2019 
Exploration costs:          
Aircraft services  $-   $4,351 
Environmental   80,189    82,216 
Equipment rental   23,363    36,119 
Field costs   49,942    50,604 
Geological/geophysical   54,906    505,061 
Land maintenance and tenure   425,212    438,827 
Legal   12,947    39,936 
Transportation and travel   5,464    5,424 
Total expenditures for the period
  $652,023   $1,162,538 

 

9

 

 

INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

(Expressed in US dollars – Unaudited)

 

Livengood Gold Project Property

 

The Livengood property is located in the Tintina gold belt approximately 70 miles (113 kilometers) northwest of Fairbanks, Alaska. The property consists of land leased from the Alaska Mental Health Trust, a number of smaller private mineral leases, Alaska state mining claims purchased or located by the Company and patented ground held by the Company.

 

Details of the leases are as follows:

 

a)A lease of the Alaska Mental Health Trust mineral rights having a term beginning July 1, 2004 and extending 19 years until June 30, 2023, subject to further extensions beyond June 30, 2023 by either commercial production or payment of an advance minimum royalty equal to 125% of the amount paid in year 19 and diligent pursuit of development. The lease requires minimum work expenditures and advance minimum royalties (all of which minimum royalties are recoverable from production royalties) which escalate annually with inflation. A net smelter return (“NSR”) production royalty of between 2.5% and 5.0% (depending upon the price of gold) is payable to the lessor with respect to the lands subject to this lease. In addition, an NSR production royalty of l% is payable to the lessor with respect to the unpatented federal mining claims subject to the lease described in b) below and an NSR production royalty of between 0.5% and 1.0% (depending upon the price of gold) is payable to the lessor with respect to the lands acquired by the Company as a result of the purchase of Livengood Placers, Inc. in December 2011. During the six months ended June 30, 2020 and from the inception of this lease, the Company has paid $344,553 and $3,651,168, respectively.

 

b)A lease of federal unpatented lode mining claims having an initial term of ten years commencing on April 21, 2003 and continuing for so long thereafter as advance minimum royalties are paid and mining related activities, including exploration, continue on the property or on adjacent properties controlled by the Company. The lease requires an advance minimum royalty of $50,000 on or before each anniversary date for the duration of the lease (all of which minimum royalties are recoverable from production royalties). An NSR production royalty of between 2% and 3% (depending on the price of gold) is payable to the lessors. The Company may purchase 1% of the royalty for $1,000,000. During the six months ended June 30, 2020 and from the inception of this lease, the Company has paid $50,000 and $830,000, respectively.

 

c)A lease of patented lode mining claims having an initial term of ten years commencing January 18, 2007, and continuing for so long thereafter as advance minimum royalties are paid. The lease requires an advance minimum royalty of $20,000 on or before each anniversary date through January 18, 2017 and $25,000 on or before each subsequent anniversary (all of which minimum royalties are recoverable from production royalties). An NSR production royalty of 3% is payable to the lessors. The Company may purchase all interests of the lessors in the leased property (including the production royalty) for $1,000,000 (less all minimum and production royalties paid to the date of purchase), of which $500,000 is payable in cash over four years following the closing of the purchase and the balance is payable by way of the 3% NSR production royalty. The Company paid $15,000 of royalties during the six months ended June 30, 2020, for a total of $250,000 from the inception of this lease. The Company has acquired a 40% interest in the mining claims subject to the lease, providing the Company with a 40% interest in the lease.

 

10

 

 

INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

(Expressed in US dollars – Unaudited)

 

d)A lease of unpatented federal lode mining and federal unpatented placer claims having an initial term of ten years commencing on March 28, 2007, and continuing for so long thereafter as advance minimum royalties are paid and mining related activities, including exploration, continue on the property or on adjacent properties controlled by the Company. The lease requires an advance minimum royalty of $15,000 on or before each anniversary date for the duration of the lease (all of which minimum royalties are recoverable from production royalties). The Company is required to pay the lessor the additional sum of $250,000 upon making a positive production decision, of which $125,000 is payable within 120 days of the decision and $125,000 is payable within a year of the decision (all of which are recoverable from production royalties). An NSR production royalty of 2% is payable to the lessor. The Company may purchase all of the interest of the lessor in the leased property (including the production royalty) for $1,000,000. The Company paid $15,000 of royalties during the six months ended June 30, 2020, for a total of $173,000 from the inception of this lease.

 

Title to mineral properties

 

The acquisition of title to mineral properties is a detailed and time-consuming process. The Company has taken steps to verify title to mineral properties in which it has an interest. Although the Company has taken every reasonable precaution to ensure that legal title to its properties is properly recorded in the name of the Company, there can be no assurance that such title will ultimately be secured.

 

5.ACCRUED LIABILITIES

 

The following table presents the accrued liabilities balances at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

 

   June 30, 2020   December 31,
2019
 
Accrued liabilities  $204,003   $278,644 
Accrued salaries and benefits   33,721    38,680 
Total accrued liabilities  $237,724   $317,324 

 

Accrued liabilities at June 30, 2020 include accruals for general corporate costs and project costs of $37,684 and $166,319, respectively. Accrued liabilities at December 31, 2019 include accruals for general corporate costs and project costs of $57,114 and $221,530, respectively.

 

6.SHARE CAPITAL

 

Authorized

 

The Company’s authorized share capital consists of 500,000,000 common shares without par value. At December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2020, there were 187,573,671 shares issued and outstanding.

 

Share issuances

 

There were no share issuances during the six months ended June 30, 2020.

 

The Company adopted an incentive stock option plan in 2006, as amended September 19, 2012 and reapproved by the Company’s shareholders on May 28, 2015 and May 30, 2018 (the “Stock Option Plan”). The essential elements of the Stock Option Plan provide that the aggregate number of common shares of the Company that may be issued pursuant to options granted under the Stock Option Plan and any other share-based compensation arrangements may not exceed 10% of the number of issued shares of the Company at the time of the granting of the options. Options granted under the Stock Option Plan will have a maximum term of ten years. The exercise price of options granted under the Stock Option Plan shall be fixed in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) Company Manual in force at the time of grant and, in any event, shall not be less than the closing price of the Company’s common shares on the TSX on the trading day immediately preceding the day on which the option is granted, or such other price as may be agreed to by the Company and accepted by the TSX. Options granted under the Stock Option Plan vest immediately, unless otherwise determined by the directors at the date of grant.

 

A summary of the options granted under the Stock Option Plan as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 is presented below:

 

11

 

 

INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

(Expressed in US dollars – Unaudited)

 

   Six Months Ended   Year Ended 
   June 30, 2020   December 31, 2019 
   Number of
Options
   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price (C$)
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value (C$)
   Number of
Options
   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price (C$)
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value (C$)
 
Balance, beginning of the period   2,452,049   $0.94         3,655,991   $0.98      
Granted   255,000    0.92         187,232    0.85      
       Exercised   -    -         (121,174)   0.70      
       Cancelled   -    -         (1,270,000)   1.06      
Balance, end of the period   2,707,049   $0.94   $4,046,844    2,452,049   $0.94   $59,734 

 

The weighted average remaining life of options outstanding at June 30, 2020 was 3.1 years.

 

Stock options outstanding are as follows:

 

   June 30, 2020   December 31, 2019 
Expiry Date  Exercise Price
(C$)
   Number of
Options
   Exercisable   Exercise Price
(C$)
   Number of
Options
   Exercisable 
February 25, 2022  $1.11    510,000    510,000   $1.11    510,000    510,000 
February 25, 2022  $0.73    270,000    270,000   $0.73    270,000    270,000 
March 10, 2022  $1.11    120,000    120,000   $1.11    120,000    120,000 
March 16, 2023  $1.00    580,000    580,000   $1.00    580,000    580,000 
March 16, 2023  $0.50    130,000    130,000   $0.50    130,000    130,000 
June 9, 2023  $1.00    30,000    30,000   $1.00    30,000    30,000 
March 21, 2024  $0.61    374,817    374,817   $0.61    374,817    374,817 
February 1, 2025  $1.35    250,000    250,000   $1.35    250,000    250,000 
August 8, 2025  $0.85    187,232    187,232   $0.85    187,232    187,232 
May 27, 2026  $0.92    255,000    85,000    -    -    - 
         2,707,049    2,537,049         2,452,049    2,452,049 

 

A summary of the non-vested options as of June 30, 2020 and changes during the six months ended June 30, 2020 is as follows:

 

Non-vested options:  Number of
options
   Weighted
average
grant-date fair
value (C$)
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2019   -   $- 
     Granted   255,000   $0.76 
     Vested   (85,000)  $0.76 
Outstanding at June 30, 2020   170,000   $0.76 

 

At June 30, 2020, there was unrecognized compensation expense of C$120,533 related to non-vested options outstanding. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average remaining period of approximately 1.42 years.

 

12

 

 

INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

(Expressed in US dollars – Unaudited)

 

Deferred Share Unit Incentive Plan

 

On April 4, 2017, the Company adopted a Deferred Share Unit Plan (the “DSU Plan”). The DSU Plan was approved by the Company’s shareholders on May 24, 2017 and reapproved by the Company’s shareholders on May 27, 2020. The maximum aggregate number of common shares that may be issued under the DSU Plan and the Stock Option Plan is 10% of the number of issued and outstanding common shares (on a non-diluted basis).

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company granted each of the members of the Board (other than those directors nominated for election by Paulson & Co., Inc.) 90,217 deferred share units (“DSUs”) with a grant date fair value (defined as the weighted average of the prices at which the common shares traded on the exchange with the most volume for the five days immediately preceding the grant) of C$0.92 per DSU, representing C$83,000 per director or C$415,000 in the aggregate. The DSUs entitle the holders to receive common shares of the Company without the payment of any consideration. The DSUs vested immediately upon being granted but the common shares underlying the DSUs are not deliverable to the holder until the holder is no longer serving on the Board.

 

DSUs outstanding are as follows:

 

   Six Months Ended   Year Ended 
   June 30, 2020   December 31, 2019 
   Number of
Units
   Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
(C$)
   Number of
Units
   Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
(C$)
 
Balance, beginning of the period   1,383,396   $0.77    1,356,975   $0.72 
Issued   451,085   $0.92    488,235   $0.85 
    Delivered   -    -    (461,814)  $0.71 
Balance, end of the period   1,834,481   $0.81    1,383,396   $0.77 

 

Share-based payments

 

During the six-month period ended June 30, 2020, there were 255,000 stock options granted under the Stock Option Plan and 451,085 DSUs granted under the DSU Plan. Share-based payment compensation for the six months ended June 30, 2020 totaled $348,252 ($53,635 related to stock options and $294,617 related to DSUs). Of the total expense for the period ended June 30, 2020, $300,927 was included in consulting fees ($6,310 related to stock options and $294,617 related to DSUs), $3,155 was included in investor relations, and $44,170 was included in wages and benefits in the statement of operations and comprehensive loss.

 

During the six-month period ended June 30, 2019, there were no stock options granted under the Stock Option Plan and no DSUs granted under the DSU Plan. Share-based payment compensation for the six months ended June 30, 2019 totaled $1,686, which was included in wages and benefits in the statement of operations and comprehensive loss.

 

   YTD June 30, 2020 
Expected life of options   6 years 
Risk-free interest rate   0.40%
Annualized volatility   80.92%
Dividend rate   0.00%
Exercise price (C$)  $0.92 

 

13

 

 

INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

(Expressed in US dollars – Unaudited)

 

 

7.SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

 

The Company operates in a single reportable segment, being the exploration and development of mineral properties. The following tables present selected financial information by geographic location:

 

   Canada   United States   Total 
June 30, 2020               
Capitalized acquisition costs  $-   $55,375,124   $55,375,124 
Property and equipment   7,907    6,643    14,550 
Current assets   5,116,493    575,235    5,691,728 
Total assets  $5,124,400   $55,957,002   $61,081,402 
December 31, 2019               
Capitalized acquisition costs  $-   $55,375,124   $55,375,124 
Property and equipment   7,979    7,455    15,434 
Current assets   6,652,289    523,886    7,176,175 
Total assets  $6,660,268   $55,906,465   $62,566,733 

 

Three months ended  June 30, 2020   June 30, 2019 
Net loss for the period – Canada  $(701,159)  $(255,125)
Net loss for the period – United States   (785,305)   (1,131,929)
Net loss for the period  $(1,486,464)  $(1,387,054)
           
Six months ended   June 30, 2020    June 30, 2019 
Net loss for the period – Canada  $(287,621)  $(601,504)
Net loss for the period – United States   (1,133,758)   (1,606,462)
Net loss for the period  $(1,421,379)  $(2,207,966)

 

8.COMMITMENTS

 

The following table discloses the Company’s contractual obligations as of June 30, 2020, including anticipated mineral property payments. Under the terms of the Company’s mineral property purchase agreements, mineral leases and unpatented mineral claims, the Company is required to make certain scheduled acquisition payments, incur certain levels of expenditures, make lease or advance royalty payments, make payments to government authorities and incur assessment work expenditures (as summarized in the table below) in order to maintain and preserve the Company’s interests in the related mineral properties. If the Company is unable or unwilling to make any such payments or incur any such expenditure, it is likely that the Company would lose or forfeit its rights to acquire or hold the related mineral properties. The following table assumes that the Company retains the rights to all of its current mineral properties, but does not exercise any lease purchase or royalty buyout options:

 

   Payments Due by Year 
   2020   2021   2022   2023   2024   2025 and
beyond
   Total 
Mineral Property Leases(1)  $-   $428,951   $434,185   $439,498   $444,890   $450,363   $2,197,887 
Mining Claim Government Fees   132,460    132,460    132,460    132,460    132,460    132,460    794,760 
Total  $132,460   $561,411   $566,645   $571,958   $577,350   $582,823   $2,992,647 

 

1.Does not include required work expenditures, as it is assumed that the required expenditure level is significantly below the level of work that will actually be carried out by the Company. Does not include potential royalties that may be payable (other than annual minimum royalty payments). See Note 4.

 

14

 

 

INTERNATIONAL TOWER HILL MINES LTD.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

(Expressed in US dollars – Unaudited)

 

9.SUBSEQUENT EVENT

 

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus 2019 (“COVID-19”) a global pandemic. This contagious disease outbreak, which has continued to spread, and any related adverse public health developments, has adversely affected workforces, economies, and financial markets globally, potentially leading to an economic downturn. While it is not possible for the Company to predict the duration or magnitude of the adverse results of the outbreak and its ultimate effects on the Company’s business, results of operations or ability to raise funds at this time, as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the COVID-19 pandemic has not had any material adverse effects on the Company.

 

15

 

 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. All currency amounts are stated in U.S. dollars unless noted otherwise.

 

Current Business Activities

 

General

 

In response to rising gold prices and changing worldwide macroeconomic conditions that are now supportive of accelerating work on the Livengood Gold Project, on May 7, 2020, the Board directed management to prepare an updated pre-feasibility study (“PFS”) for the Project.

 

Recent Developments

 

On July 15, 2020, the Company announced that it had finalized the key contracts for completion of the previously announced PFS on the Livengood Gold Project and expected to release the details of the PFS and the associated NI 43-101 Technical Report in October 2021. The comprehensive study will incorporate work that has been done since the last NI 43-101 report was completed to further de-risk and identify the optimal project configuration. The Company has engaged BBA, Inc. in Montreal as its lead consultant and has retained Whittle Consulting, Resource Modeling, Inc., and NewFields Companies, LLC to provide specialized technical support. The estimated cost of the updated PFS through October 2021 is $3.8 million.

 

Results of Operations

 

Summary of Quarterly Results

 

Description  June 30, 2020   March 31, 2020   December 31,
2019
   September 30,
2019
 
Net income (loss)  $(1,486,464)  $65,085   $(760,035)  $(858,406)
Basic and diluted net gain (loss) per common share  $(0.01)  $0.00   $(0.00)  $(0.01)

 

   June 30, 2019   March 31, 2019   December 31,
2018
   September 30,
2018
 
Net income (loss)  $(1,387,054)  $(820,912)  $(901,767)  $(1,269,636)
Basic and diluted net gain (loss) per common share  $(0.01)  $(0.00)  $(0.01)  $(0.01)

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2019

 

The Company had a net loss of $1,486,464 for the three months ended June 30, 2020, compared to a net loss of $1,387,054 for the three months ended June 30, 2019.

 

Excluding share-based costs of $300,927, consulting costs were $39,649 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 compared to $43,637 for the three months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease of $3,988 is primarily due to two less members of the Board.

 

Insurance costs were $35,662 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 compared to $30,791 for the three months ended June 30, 2019. The increase of $4,871 is primarily due to premium increases.

 

Excluding share-based costs of $3,155, investor relations costs were $28,403 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 compared to $20,284 for the three months ended June 30, 2019. The increase of $8,119 is primarily due an investor conference ($5,500) and increased printing and mailing costs for annual shareholder meeting materials ($2,619).

 

Mineral property expenditures were $536,603 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 compared to $911,947 for the three months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease of $375,344 is primarily due to the differences in the scope of technical and baseline environmental work completed during the periods.

 

Professional fees were $37,040 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 compared to $44,656 for the three months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease of $7,616 is primarily due to a variation in timing of audit/tax services.

 

16

 

 

Excluding share-based costs of $44,170, wages and benefits were $186,033 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 compared to $176,777 for the three months ended June 30, 2019. The increase of $9,256 is primarily due to a variation in timing of employee benefits.

 

Share-based payment charges

 

Share-based payment charges for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 were allocated as follows:

 

Expense category:  June 30, 2020   June 30, 2019 
Consulting  $300,927   $- 
Investor relations   3,155    - 
Wages and benefits   44,170    - 
Total  $348,252   $- 

 

Share-based payment charges were $348,252 during the three months ended June 30, 2020 compared to $Nil during the three months ended June 30, 2019. The increase is mainly the result of the most recent options issued on May 27, 2020 being one third exercisable upon grant ($53,635) and the DSUs issued on May 27, 2020 being fully vested upon issuance ($294,617).

 

Other items amounted to a loss of $206,462 during the three-month period ended June 30, 2020 compared to a loss of $86,941 during the three-month period ended June 30, 2019. As a result of the impact of exchange rates on certain of the Company’s U.S. dollar cash balances, the Company had a foreign exchange loss of $225,095 during the three-month period ended June 30, 2020 compared to a loss of $159,708 during the three-month period ended June 30, 2019. The average exchange rate during the three-month period ended June 30, 2020 was C$1 to US$0.7221 compared to C$1 to US$0.7476 during the three-month period ended June 30, 2019. Interest income was $13,341 for the three-month period ended June 30, 2020 compared to $49,036 for the three-month period ended June 30, 2019. The decrease of $35,695 is primarily due to short-term investment certificates being re-invested upon maturity at a lower interest rate.

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2019

 

The Company had a net loss of $1,421,379 for the six months ended June 30, 2020, compared to a net loss of $2,207,966 for the six months ended June 30, 2019.

 

Excluding share-based costs of $300,927, consulting costs were $80,068 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to $87,508 for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease of $7,440 is primarily due to two less members of the Board.

 

Insurance costs were $66,886 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to $60,629 for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The increase of $6,257 is primarily due to premium increases.

 

Excluding share-based costs of $3,155, investor relations costs were $38,893 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to $34,200 for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The increase of $4,693 is primarily due to an investor conference.

 

Mineral property expenditures were $652,023 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to $1,162,538 for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease of $510,515 is primarily due to the differences in the scope of technical and baseline environmental work completed during the periods.

 

Excluding share-based costs of $44,170, wages and benefits were $340,563 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to $330,841 for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The increase of $9,722 is primarily due to a variation in timing of employee benefits.

 

Share-based payment charges

 

Share-based payment charges for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 were allocated as follows:

 

Expense category:  June 30, 2020   June 30, 2019 
Consulting  $300,927   $- 
Investor relations   3,155    - 
Wages and benefits   44,170    1,686 
Total  $348,252   $1,686 

 

17

 

 

Share-based payment charges were $348,252 during the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to $1,686 during the six months ended June 30, 2019. The increase is mainly the result of the most recent options issued on May 27, 2020 being one third exercisable upon grant ($53,635) and the DSUs issued on May 27, 2020 being fully vested upon issuance ($294,617).

 

Other items amounted to a gain of $372,049 during the six-month period ended June 30, 2020 compared to a loss of $258,282 during the six-month period ended June 30, 2019. As a result of the impact of exchange rates on certain of the Company’s U.S. dollar cash balances, the Company had a foreign exchange gain of $316,091 during the six-month period ended June 30, 2020 compared to a loss of $363,246 during the six-month period ended June 30, 2019. The average exchange rate during the six-month period ended June 30, 2020 was C$1 to US$0.7332 compared to C$1 to US$0.7499 during the six-month period ended June 30, 2019. Interest income was $50,666 for the six-month period ended June 30, 2020 compared to $81,233 for the six-month period ended June 30, 2019. The decrease of $30,567 is primarily due to short-term investment certificates being re-invested upon maturity at a lower interest rate.

 

Liquidity Risk and Capital Resources

 

The Company has no revenue generating operations from which it can internally generate funds. To date, the Company has predominantly financed its ongoing operations through the sale of its equity securities by way of private placements and the subsequent exercise of share purchase and broker warrants and options issued in connection with such private placements. However, the exercise of warrants/options is dependent primarily on the market price and overall market liquidity of the Company’s securities at or near the expiry date of such warrants/options (over which the Company has no control) and therefore there can be no guarantee that any existing warrants/options will be exercised. There are currently no warrants outstanding.

 

As at June 30, 2020, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $5,490,127 compared to $6,937,621 at December 31, 2019. The decrease of approximately $1.4 million resulted mainly from expenditures on operating activity of approximately $1.1 million and a negative foreign currency transaction impact of approximately $0.3 million.

 

The Company had no cash flows from financing activities during the six-month period ended June 30, 2020.

 

Financing activities during the six-month period ended June 30, 2019 included the exercise of stock options. Proceeds of $64,254 were received on the issuance of 121,174 common shares.

 

The Company had no cash flows from investing activities during the six-month period ended June 30, 2020.

 

Investing activities during the six-month period ended June 30, 2019 was comprised of the capitalized acquisition costs of $31,819 for land acquisitions that closed in the second quarter.

 

As at June 30, 2020, the Company had working capital of $5,445,493 compared to working capital of $6,840,418 at December 31, 2019. The Company expects that it will operate at a loss for the foreseeable future, but believes the current cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient for it to complete its anticipated 2020 work plan at the Livengood Gold Project and satisfy its currently anticipated general and administrative costs through the next 12 months.

 

The Company will require significant additional financing to continue its operations (including general and administrative expenses) in connection with advancing activities at the Livengood Gold Project and the development of any mine that may be determined to be built at the Livengood Gold Project, and there is no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain the additional financing required on acceptable terms, if at all. In addition, any significant delays in the issuance of required permits for the ongoing work at the Livengood Gold Project, or unexpected results in connection with the ongoing work, could result in the Company being required to raise additional funds to advance permitting efforts. The Company’s review of its financing options includes pursuing a future strategic alliance to assist in further development, permitting and future construction costs, although there can be no assurance that any such strategic alliance will, in fact, be realized.

 

Despite the Company’s success to date in raising significant equity financing to fund its operations, there is significant uncertainty that the Company will be able to secure any additional financing in the current or future equity markets. See “Risk Factors – We will require additional financing to fund exploration and, if warranted, development and production. Failure to obtain additional financing could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operation and could cast uncertainty on our ability to continue as a going concern” included in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

Other than cash held by its subsidiaries for their immediate operating needs in the United States, all of the Company’s cash reserves are on deposit with a major Canadian chartered bank. The Company does not believe that the credit, liquidity or market risks with respect thereto have increased as a result of the current market conditions.

 

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Contractual Obligations and Commitments

 

The following table discloses the Company’s contractual obligations as of June 30, 2020, including anticipated mineral property payments and work commitments. Under the terms of the Company’s mineral property purchase agreements, mineral leases and unpatented mineral claims, the Company is required to make certain scheduled acquisition payments, incur certain levels of expenditures, make lease or advance royalty payments, make payments to government authorities and incur assessment work expenditures (as summarized in the table below) in order to maintain and preserve the Company’s interests in the related mineral properties. If the Company is unable or unwilling to make any such payments or incur any such expenditure, it is likely that the Company would lose or forfeit its rights to acquire or hold the related mineral properties. The following table assumes that the Company retains the rights to all of its current mineral properties, but does not exercise any lease purchase or royalty buyout options:

 

   Payments Due by Year 
   2020   2021   2022   2023   2024   2025 and
beyond
   Total 
Mineral Property Leases(1)  $-   $428,951   $434,185   $439,498   $444,890   $450,363   $2,197,887 
Mining Claim Government Fees   132,460    132,460    132,460    132,460    132,460    132,460    794,760 
Total  $132,460   $561,411   $566,645   $571,958   $577,350   $582,823   $2,992,647 

 

1.Does not include required work expenditures, as it is assumed that the required expenditure level is significantly below the level of work that will actually be carried out by the Company. Does not include potential royalties that may be payable (other than annual minimum royalty payments).

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

The Company does not have any off balance sheet arrangements.

 

Environmental Regulations

 

The operations of the Company may in the future be affected from time to time in varying degrees by changes in environmental regulations, including those for future removal and site restoration costs. Both the likelihood of new regulations and their overall effect upon the Company vary greatly and are not predictable. The Company’s policy is to meet or, if possible, surpass standards set by relevant legislation by application of technically proven and economically feasible measures.

 

Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for U.S. Holders

 

The Company has been a “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes in recent years and expects to continue to be a PFIC in the future. Current and prospective U.S. shareholders should consult their tax advisors as to the tax consequences of PFIC classification and the U.S. federal tax treatment of PFICs. Additional information on this matter is included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, under “Part II. Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities - Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for U.S. Holders.”

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

As of June 30, 2020, an evaluation was carried out under the supervision of and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act). Based on the evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of June 30, 2020, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act: (i) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in applicable rules and forms and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, in a manner that allows for timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

 

The effectiveness of our or any system of disclosure controls and procedures, however well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance that the objectives of the system will be met and is subject to certain limitations, including the exercise of judgement in designing, implementing and evaluating controls and procedures and the assumptions used in identifying the likelihood of future events.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

Other than the risk factor set forth below, there have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 under the heading “Risk Factors.”

 

We face various risks related to health epidemics, pandemics and similar outbreaks, which may have material adverse effects on our business, financial position, results of operations and/or cash flows.

 

We face various risks related to health epidemics, pandemics and similar outbreaks, including the global outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”). The continued spread of COVID-19 has led to disruption and volatility in the global capital markets, which increases the cost of capital and adversely impacts access to capital. If significant portions of the population are unable to work effectively, including because of illness, quarantines, government actions, facility closures or other restrictions in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, our operations will likely be impacted. In addition, our costs may increase as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. These cost increases may not be fully recoverable or adequately covered by insurance.

 

It is possible that the continued spread of COVID-19 could also adversely affect our business partners, delay our plans to advance the Livengood Gold Project or prepare an updated pre-feasibility study for the Project, or cause other unpredictable events. We continue to work with our stakeholders to address this global pandemic responsibly. In addition, we continue to monitor the situation, to assess further possible implications to our business, and to take actions in an effort to mitigate adverse consequences.

 

We cannot at this time predict the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it could have material adverse effects on our business, financial position, results of operations and/or cash flows.

 

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Pursuant to Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act, issuers that are operators, or that have a subsidiary that is an operator, of a coal or other mine in the United States are required to disclose specified information about mine health and safety in their periodic reports. These reporting requirements are based on the safety and health requirements applicable to mines under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (the “Mine Act”) which is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”). During the six-month period ended June 30, 2020, the Company and its subsidiaries were not subject to regulation by MSHA under the Mine Act and thus no disclosure is required under Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act.

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Not applicable.

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit Number Description
31.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
31.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
32.1   Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
32.2 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
101 Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Interim Balance Sheets at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the Three and Six Months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, and (v) the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

International Tower Hill Mines Ltd.

 

By: /s/ Karl L. Hanneman  
     
  Karl L. Hanneman  
  Chief Executive Officer  
  (Principal Executive Officer)  
   
Date: August 10, 2020  
   
By: /s/ David Cross  
     
  David Cross  
  Chief Financial Officer  
  (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)  
   
Date: August 10, 2020