Get Started for Free Contexxia identifies hard-to-find pieces of information in SEC filings. No more highlighters, no more redlining, no more poring over huge documents. Bunker Hill Mining Corp. (1407583) 10-Q published on May 17, 2021 at 6:24 am
In this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”), the “Company” refers to Bunker Hill Mining Corp. and its consolidated subsidiaries, except where the context requires otherwise. You should read this discussion in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements, the related MD&A and the discussion of our Business and Properties in its report on Form 10-KT for the six months ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC. The results of operations reported and summarized below are not necessarily indicative of future operating results (refer to “Special Note of Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” above for further discussion). References to “Notes” are Notes included in the Company’s Notes to Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).
Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus global pandemic (“COVID-19”) in early 2020, in March 2020 the U.S. Centers for Disease Control issued guidelines to mitigate the spread and health consequences of COVID-19. The Company implemented changes to its operations and business practices to follow the guidelines and minimize physical interaction, including using technology to allow employees to work from home when possible. As long as they are required, the operational practices implemented could have an adverse impact on our results. The negative impact of COVID-19 remains uncertain, including on overall business and market conditions. There is uncertainty related to the potential additional impacts COVID-19 could have on our operations and financial results for the year.
On April 20, 2021, the Company reported the results of its PEA for the Mine. The PEA contemplates a $42 million initial capital cost (including 20% contingency) to rapidly restart the Mine, generating approximately $20 million of annual average free cash flow over a 10-year mine life, and producing over 550 million pounds of zinc, 290 million pounds of lead, and 7 million ounces of silver at all-in sustaining costs of $0.65 per payable pound of zinc (net of by-products). The PEA contemplates a low environmental footprint, long-term water management solution, and significant positive economic impact for the Shoshone County, Idaho community. The PEA is based on the mineral resources estimate described above and published on March 22, 2021, following the drilling program conducted in 2020 and early 2021 to validate the historical reserves. The PEA includes a mining inventory of 5.5Mt, which represents a portion of the 4.4Mt Indicated mineral resource and 5.6Mt Inferred mineral resource. Further details regarding the PEA can be found in the news release dated April 20, 2021 on EDGAR, SEDAR and the Company’s website www.bunkerhillmining.com.
The increase in total operating expenses was primarily due to an increase in exploration expense of $2,172,561 ($3,088,302 in the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to $915,741 in the three months ended March 31, 2020) due to increased exploration activities aimed at expanding the resource base for the PEA. Increases in operating and administration ($837,945 in the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to $183,724 in the three months ended March 31, 2020), legal and accounting ($219,108 in the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to $62,408 in the three months ended March 31, 2020), and consulting ($478,619 in the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to $201,087 in the three months ended March 31, 2020) were due to increased corporate activities, including professional and consulting expense related to the most recent financing and support for completion of the PEA.
Management determines costs for share-based payments using market-based valuation techniques. The fair value of the share awards and warrant liabilities are determined at the date of grant using generally accepted valuation techniques and for warrant liabilities at each balance sheet date thereafter. Assumptions are made and judgment used in applying valuation techniques. These assumptions and judgments include estimating the future volatility of the stock price and expected dividend yield. Such judgments and assumptions are inherently uncertain. Changes in these assumptions affect the fair value estimates.