Western Copper and Gold Corporation
(An exploration stage company)
Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2023
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)
Western Copper and Gold Corporation |
(Expressed in Canadian dollars) |
CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||
Note | $ | $ | |||||
ASSETS | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 3,145,740 | 1,341,267 | |||||
Short-term investments | 3 | 16,452,647 | 21,368,455 | ||||
Marketable securities | 4 | 450,940 | 410,080 | ||||
Other assets | 883,930 | 1,441,814 | |||||
CURRENT ASSETS | 20,933,257 | 24,561,616 | |||||
Property, plant and equipment | 251,577 | 279,540 | |||||
Right-of-use assets | 327,786 | 379,511 | |||||
Exploration and evaluation assets | 5 | 92,144,912 | 89,161,878 | ||||
ASSETS | 113,657,532 | 114,382,545 | |||||
LIABILITIES | |||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 2,849,173 | 4,222,346 | |||||
Current portion of lease obligation | 245,673 | 245,673 | |||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES | 3,094,846 | 4,468,019 | |||||
Lease obligations | 119,298 | 172,308 | |||||
LIABILITIES | 3,214,144 | 4,640,327 | |||||
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | |||||||
Share capital | 6 | 185,643,706 | 183,542,846 | ||||
Contributed surplus | 37,501,726 | 37,790,810 | |||||
Deficit | (112,702,044 | ) | (111,591,438 | ) | |||
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | 110,443,388 | 109,742,218 | |||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | 113,657,532 | 114,382,545 | |||||
Subsequent events | 13 |
Approved by the Board of Directors
/s/ Ken Williamson | Director | /s/ Klaus Zeitler | Director |
Western Copper and Gold Corporation |
(Expressed in Canadian dollars) |
CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF LOSS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
For the three months ended March 31, | 2023 | 2022 | |||||
Note | $ | $ | |||||
Depreciation | 51,725 | 38,723 | |||||
Filing and regulatory fees | 229,360 | 206,945 | |||||
Office and administration | 115,888 | 163,476 | |||||
Professional fees | 75,252 | 55,479 | |||||
Share-based payments | 8a | 207,011 | 569,736 | ||||
Shareholder communication and travel | 183,222 | 164,182 | |||||
Wages and benefits | 459,001 | 492,590 | |||||
CORPORATE EXPENSES | 1,321,459 | 1,691,131 | |||||
Foreign exchange gain | (195 | ) | (2,447 | ) | |||
Interest income | (169,798 | ) | (66,109 | ) | |||
Flow-through premium recovery | - | (108,008 | ) | ||||
Unrealized (gain) loss on marketable securities | 4 | (40,860 | ) | 102,520 | |||
LOSS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS | 1,110,606 | 1,617,087 | |||||
Basic and diluted loss per share | 0.01 | 0.01 | |||||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding | 152,634,678 | 151,432,236 |
Western Copper and Gold Corporation |
(Expressed in Canadian dollars) |
CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the three months ended March 31, | 2023 | 2022 | |||||
$ | $ | ||||||
Cash flows provided by (used in) | Note | ||||||
OPERATING ACTIVITIES | |||||||
Loss and comprehensive loss | (1,110,606 | ) | (1,617,087 | ) | |||
ITEMS NOT AFFECTING CASH | |||||||
Depreciation | 51,725 | 38,723 | |||||
Finance costs | 8,008 | 8,452 | |||||
Flow-through premium recovery | - | (108,008 | ) | ||||
Unrealized loss (gain) on marketable securities | (40,860 | ) | 102,520 | ||||
Share-based payments | 207,011 | 569,736 | |||||
225,884 | 611,423 | ||||||
Change in non-cash working capital items | (493,414 | ) | (223,455 | ) | |||
OPERATING ACTIVITIES | (1,378,136 | ) | (1,229,119 | ) | |||
FINANCING ACTIVITIES | |||||||
Exercise of stock options | 8a | 1,440,000 | 77,833 | ||||
Lease payments | (61,018 | ) | (40,729 | ) | |||
FINANCING ACTIVITIES | 1,378,982 | 37,104 | |||||
INVESTING ACTIVITIES | |||||||
Redemption (purchase) of short-term investments | 5,000,000 | (5,000,000 | ) | ||||
Mineral property expenditures | (3,196,373 | ) | (2,350,424 | ) | |||
INVESTING ACTIVITIES | 1,803,627 | (7,350,424 | ) | ||||
CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | 1,804,473 | (8,542,439 | ) | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents - Beginning | 1,341,267 | 30,688,210 | |||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - ENDING | 3,145,740 | 22,145,771 |
Western Copper and Gold Corporation |
(Expressed in Canadian dollars) |
CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Number of Shares | Share Capital | Contributed Surplus | Deficit | Shareholders' Equity | |||||||||||
$ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
DECEMBER 31, 2021 | 151,426,125 | 183,190,992 | 35,472,638 | (106,597,260 | ) | 112,066,370 | |||||||||
Exercise of stock options | 58,333 | 103,759 | (25,926 | ) | - | 77,833 | |||||||||
Share-based payments | - | - | 778,725 | - | 778,725 | ||||||||||
Loss and comprehensive loss | - | - | - | (1,617,087 | ) | (1,617,087 | ) | ||||||||
MARCH 31, 2022 | 151,484,458 | 183,294,751 | 36,225,437 | (108,214,347 | ) | 111,305,841 | |||||||||
Exercise of stock options | 33,333 | 75,150 | (19,818 | ) | - | 55,332 | |||||||||
Exercise of restricted share units | 79,698 | 172,945 | (172,945 | ) | - | - | |||||||||
Share-based payments | - | - | 1,758,136 | - | 1,758,136 | ||||||||||
Loss and comprehensive loss | - | - | - | (3,377,091 | ) | (3,377,091 | ) | ||||||||
DECEMBER 31, 2022 | 151,597,489 | 183,542,846 | 37,790,810 | (111,591,438 | ) | 109,742,218 | |||||||||
Exercise of stock options | 1,200,000 | 1,976,066 | (536,066 | ) | - | 1,440,000 | |||||||||
Exercise of restricted share units | 60,108 | 124,794 | (124,794 | ) | - | - | |||||||||
Share-based payments | - | - | 371,776 | - | 371,776 | ||||||||||
Loss and comprehensive loss | - | - | - | (1,110,606 | ) | (1,110,606 | ) | ||||||||
MARCH 31, 2023 | 152,857,597 | 185,643,706 | 37,501,726 | (112,702,044 | ) | 110,443,388 |
Western Copper and Gold Corporation |
(Expressed in Canadian dollars) |
1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS
Western Copper and Gold Corporation (together with its subsidiaries, "Western" or the "Company") is an exploration stage company that is directly engaged in exploration and development of the Casino mineral property located in Yukon, Canada (the "Casino Project").
The Company is incorporated in British Columbia, Canada. Its head office is located at 1200 - 1166 Alberni Street, Vancouver, British Columbia.
While Western has been successful in raising sufficient capital to fund its operations in the past, the Company will need to raise additional funds to complete the development of the Casino Project. There can be no assurance that it will be able to raise such project financing in the future.
2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
a. Statement of compliance
These condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IFRS"), applicable to the preparation of interim financial statements, including International Accounting Standard 34 - Interim Financial Reporting. The condensed interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRS.
These financial statements were approved for issue by the Company's board of directors on May 4, 2023.
b. Accounting estimates and judgments
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to exercise judgement in the process of applying its accounting policies and to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Differences may be material.
Judgment is required in assessing whether certain factors would be considered an indicator of impairment for the exploration and evaluation assets. We consider both internal and external information to determine whether there is an indicator of impairment present and accordingly, whether impairment testing is required. Where an impairment test is required, calculating the estimated recoverable amount of the cash generating unit for non-current asset impairment tests requires management to make estimates and assumptions with respect to estimated recoverable reserves or resources, estimated future commodity prices, expected future operating and capital costs, and discount rates. Changes in any of the assumptions or estimates used in determining the recoverable amount could impact the impairment analysis. Management did not identify any impairment indicators during the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Western Copper and Gold Corporation |
(Expressed in Canadian dollars) |
Judgment is required in assessing whether a mineral property is in the exploration and evaluation phase and should be classified as an exploration and evaluation asset or the mineral property should be reclassified as property and equipment. We determined that although a feasibility study for the Casino Project has been completed, the Company has not yet received the necessary licenses and permits to demonstrate the technical feasibility and commercial viability of the project to reclassify as property and equipment.
3. SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
As at March 31, 2023, the Company had $16,000,000 (December 31, 2022 - $21,000,000) invested in Canadian dollar denominated guaranteed investment certificates (“GICs”) plus accrued interest of $452,647 (December 31, 2022 - $368,455). GICs are invested in Schedule 1 chartered banks in Canada.
4. MARKETABLE SECURITIES
As at December 31, 2022, the Company held marketable securities with an aggregate fair value of $450,940 (December 31, 2022 - $410,080), consisting of 2.5 million common shares of Northisle Copper and Gold Inc. with a fair value of $437,500 (December 31, 2022 - $400,000) and 168,000 common shares of Granite Creek Copper Ltd. with a fair value of $13,440 (December 31, 2022 - $10,080). The fair value of the marketable securities is determined by reference to published price quotations in an active market (classified as level 1 in the fair value hierarchy).
5. EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS
a. Casino (100% - Yukon, Canada)
The Casino Project is a copper-gold porphyry deposit located in Yukon, Canada.
The Casino Property is subject to a 2.75% NSR on the claims comprising the Casino project in favour of Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd. ("Osisko Gold") pursuant to the Royalty Assignment and Assumption Agreement dated July 31, 2017 when 8248567 Canada Limited assigned to Osisko Gold all of its rights, title and interest in the 2.75% NSR.
Western Copper and Gold Corporation |
(Expressed in Canadian dollars) |
b. Exploration and evaluation expenditures
Total | |||
$ | |||
DECEMBER 31, 2021 | 66,348,061 | ||
Claims maintenance | 26,038 | ||
Engineering | 3,619,508 | ||
Exploration and camp support | 8,698,630 | ||
Permitting | 8,176,200 | ||
Salary and wages | 1,304,283 | ||
Share-based payments | 989,158 | ||
DECEMBER 31, 2022 | 89,161,878 | ||
Claims maintenance | 25,010 | ||
Engineering | 215,851 | ||
Exploration and camp support | (237,854 | ) | |
Permitting | 2,492,762 | ||
Salary and wages | 322,500 | ||
Share-based payments | 164,765 | ||
MARCH 31, 2023 | 92,144,912 |
6. SHARE CAPITAL
a. Authorized share capital
The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares without par value and an unlimited number of preferred shares without par value.
7. WARRANTS
A summary of the Company's warrants outstanding, including changes for the periods then ended, is presented below:
Number of warrants | Weighted average exercise price | |||||
$ | ||||||
DECEMBER 31, 2021 and DECEMBER 31, 2022 | 1,500,000 | 0.85 | ||||
- | - | |||||
MARCH 31, 2023 | 1,500,000 | 0.85 |
Western Copper and Gold Corporation |
(Expressed in Canadian dollars) |
Warrants outstanding are as follows:
Warrant outstanding, by exercise price | Number of warrants | Weighted average exercise price | Average remaining contractual life | ||||||
$ | years | ||||||||
$0.85 | 1,500,000 | 0.85 | 1.92 | ||||||
MARCH 31, 2023 | 1,500,000 | 0.85 | 1.92 |
8. EQUITY INCENTIVE PLANS
The Company has three equity incentive plans consisting of a stock option plan (the "Option Plan"), a restricted share unit plan (the "RSU Plan") and a deferred share unit plan (the "DSU Plan") (collectively the "Equity Incentive Plans"). Pursuant to the Company's annual general meeting held on June 17, 2021, it was approved that the maximum aggregate number of common shares issuable under the Equity Incentive Plans cannot exceed 10% of number of common shares issued and outstanding.
a. Stock Options and Share-based payments
Stock Options
Under the Option Plan, the exercise price of the stock options must be greater than, or equal to, the market value of the Company's common shares on the last trading day immediately preceding the date of grant. Stock options vest over a two year period from the date of grant unless otherwise determined by the directors. The maximum stock option term is 10 years. At March 31, 2023, the Company could issue an additional 3,566,354 stock options under the terms of the stock option plan.
A summary of the Company's stock options outstanding and the changes for the periods then ended, is presented below:
Number of stock options | Weighted average exercise price | |||||
$ | ||||||
DECEMBER 31, 2021 | 6,035,000 | 1.28 | ||||
Granted | 2,181,000 | 2.03 | ||||
Exercised | (91,666 | ) | 1.45 | |||
DECEMBER 31, 2022 | 8,124,334 | 1.48 | ||||
Exercised | (1,200,000 | ) | 1.20 | |||
MARCH 31, 2023 | 6,924,334 | 1.53 |
During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company recognized an expense in respect of stock options of $122,068 in the statement of loss and comprehensive loss (three months ended March 31, 2022 - $163,274). During the three months ended March 31, 2023, $120,200 was capitalized (three months ended March 31, 2022 - $159,042) in the exploration and evaluation assets in relation to stock options.
Western Copper and Gold Corporation |
(Expressed in Canadian dollars) |
Stock options outstanding are as follows:
Stock options outstanding, by exercise price | Number of Stock options | Weighted average exercise price | Average remaining contractual life | ||||||
$ | years | ||||||||
$0.75 - $0.90 | 1,900,000 | 0.87 | 1.19 | ||||||
$1.11 - $1.20 | 575,000 | 1.17 | 0.86 | ||||||
$1.41 - $1.66 | 1,958,334 | 1.63 | 2.35 | ||||||
$1.85 - $1.95 | 1,100,000 | 1.94 | 3.77 | ||||||
$2.10 - $2.22 | 1,391,000 | 2.19 | 3.73 | ||||||
MARCH 31, 2023 | 6,924,334 | 1.53 | 2.42 |
Average share price for options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2023, was $2.49 (three months ended March 31, 2022 - $2.68). Of the total stock options outstanding, 5,333,657 were vested and exercisable at March 31, 2023. The weighted average exercise price of vested stock options is $1.53 and the average remaining contractual life is 2.01 years.
Share-based payments
During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company granted nil (2021 - 2,181,000) stock options to employees, directors and consultants. The fair value of each option granted is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The weighted average assumptions and resulting fair values for the grant are as follows:
Inputs and assumptions | Year Ended December 31, 2022 |
Exercise price | $2.03 |
Market price | $2.03 |
Expected option term (years) | 3.0 |
Expected stock price volatility | 58.6% |
Average risk-free interest rate | 1.46% |
Expected forfeiture rate | - |
Expected dividend yield | - |
FAIR VALUE PER OPTION GRANTED | $0.82 |
Western Copper and Gold Corporation |
(Expressed in Canadian dollars) |
b. Restricted Share Units
The Company granted RSUs in accordance with the RSU plan approved at the June 17, 2021 shareholders meeting. These RSUs vest in three equal tranches: Tranche one - on completion of 12 months from grant date, Tranche two - on completion of eighteen months from the grant date and Tranche three - on completion of twenty-four months from grant date. These RSUs are classified as equity-settled as these awards will be settled by issuing the shares and are valued at the market price of the Company shares on the date of grant. As at March 31, 2023, the Company could issue an additional 1,746,590 RSUs under the RSU Plan. A summary of the Company's RSUs outstanding and the changes for the periods then ended, is presented below:
Number of shares issued or issuable on vesting | |||
DECEMBER 31, 2021 | 239,100 | ||
RSUs Granted | 359,723 | ||
RSUs Converted to common shares | (79,698 | ) | |
DECEMBER 31, 2022 | 519,125 | ||
RSUs Converted to common shares | (60,108 | ) | |
MARCH 31, 2023 | 459,017 |
In relation to RSUs, the Company recognized an expense of $84,943 during the three months ended March 31, 2023, (three months ended March 31, 2022 - $115,822) in the statements of loss and comprehensive loss. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, $44,565 was capitalized (three months ended March 31, 2022 - $49,947) in the exploration and evaluation assets.
c. Deferred Share Units
Only directors of the Company are eligible for DSUs and each DSU vests immediately and is redeemed upon a director ceasing to be a director of the Company. DSUs are classified as equity-settled as these awards will be settled by issuing the shares and are valued at the market price of the Company shares on the date of grant. As at March 31, 2023, the Company could issue an additional 1,649,111 DSUs under the DSU Plan.
Number of shares issuable | |||
DECEMBER 31, 2021 | 167,000 | ||
DSUs Granted | 138,400 | ||
DECEMBER 31, 2022 | 305,400 | ||
DSUs Granted | - | ||
MARCH 31, 2023 | 305,400 |
Western Copper and Gold Corporation |
(Expressed in Canadian dollars) |
In relation to DSUs, the Company recognized an expense of $nil during the three months ended March 31, 2023, (three months ended March 31, 2022 - $290,640) in the statements of loss and comprehensive loss.
9. KEY MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION
The Company's related parties include its directors and officers, who are the key management of the Company. The remuneration of key management was as follows:
For the three months ended March 31, | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
$ | $ | |||||
Salaries and director fees | 443,611 | 516,573 | ||||
Share-based payments | 338,569 | 710,569 | ||||
KEY MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION | 782,180 | 1,227,142 |
Share-based payments represent the fair value on grant date of stock options, RSUs and DSUs previously granted to directors and officers during the periods presented above. Salaries and share-based payments for certain officers are capitalized in exploration and evaluation assets and the balance is recognized in the statement of loss and comprehensive loss.
10. SEGMENTED INFORMATION
The Company's operations are in one segment: the acquisition, exploration, and future development of mineral resource properties. All interest income is earned in Canada and all assets are held in Canada.
11. CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
The Company considers capital to be equity composed of share capital, contributed surplus, and deficit. It is the Company's objective to safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern so that it can continue to explore and develop mineral resource properties.
The Company monitors its cash position on a regular basis to determine whether sufficient funds are available to meet its short-term and long-term corporate objectives, and makes adjustments to its plans for changes in economic conditions, capital markets and the risk characteristics of the underlying assets.
To maintain its objectives, the Company may attempt to issue new shares, seek debt financing, acquire or dispose of assets or change the timing of its planned exploration and development projects. There is no assurance that these initiatives will be successful.
There was no change in the Company's approach to capital management during the period. Western has no debt and does not pay dividends. The Company is not subject to any externally imposed capital restrictions.
12. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT RISK
The Board of Directors has overall responsibility for the establishment and oversight of the Company's risk management framework. The Company has exposure to liquidity, credit, and market risk from the use of financial instruments. Financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, marketable securities, certain other assets, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
Western Copper and Gold Corporation |
(Expressed in Canadian dollars) |
a. Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will be unable to meet its financial obligations as they come due. The Company uses cash forecasts to ensure that there is sufficient cash on hand to meet short-term business requirements. Cash is invested in highly liquid investments which are available to discharge obligations when they come due. The Company does not maintain a line of credit.
b. Credit risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments. These financial instruments are at risk to the extent that the institutions issuing or holding them cannot redeem amounts when they are due or requested. To limit its credit risk, the Company uses a restrictive investment policy. Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments are held with high quality financial institutions. Substantially all cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments held with financial institutions exceeds government-insured limits. We have established credit policies that seek to minimize our credit risk by entering into transactions with investment grade credit worthy and reputable financial institutions. The carrying amount of financial assets recorded in the financial statements represents Western’s maximum exposure to credit risk.
c. Market risk
The Company is exposed to market risk because of the fluctuating values of its publicly traded marketable securities. The Company has no control over these fluctuations and does not hedge its investments. Marketable securities are adjusted to fair value at each balance sheet date. A 10% fluctuation in value of its publicly traded marketable securities rate would have a minimal impact on the Company's loss and comprehensive loss.
As at March 31, 2023, the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, certain other assets, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities are considered to be reasonable approximations of their fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The fair value of the marketable securities is determined by reference to published price quotations in an active market (classified as level 1 in the fair value hierarchy).
13. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
On April 14, 2023, Mitsubishi Materials Corporation ("Mitsubishi Materials") completed a strategic investment in Western by way of a private placement of the Company's common shares. The Company sold 8,091,390 common shares at a price of $2.63 per common share for gross proceeds of $21,280,356.
On May 1, 2023, the Company announced that in connection with the strategic investment by Mitsubishi Materials, Rio Tinto Canada ("Rio Tinto) subscribed for 878,809 common shares of the Company for gross proceeds of $2,311,268, allowing Rio Tinto to maintain its current interest of approximately 7.84%.
- 13 - |