Loss and comprehensive loss for the three months ended June 30, 2023
Loss of $19,486,000 in the three months ended June 30, 2023 (“Q223”) was lower than the loss during the three months ended June 30, 2022 (“Q222”) of $24,687,000. The primary reason for the decrease in loss in Q223 compared to Q222 is due to a decrease in exploration and evaluation expenses to $14,677,000 (Q222 - $22,955,000), as a result of the higher expenses that had been incurred in Q222 related to the completion of the Eskay Creek FS and site operations over the winter months. As well, losses on marketable securities were less in Q223 than Q222.
The decrease in loss between Q223 and Q222 was partially offset by a several categories which incurred greater expenditures. Flow-through share premium recovery reduced to $921,000 (Q222 – $4,246,000) as a result of a reduction in flow-through eligible spending during Q223 compared to Q222. Share-based payments increased to $2,352,000 (Q222 – $1,903,000) which was primarily due to the amounts recognized on stock options and RSUs issued in previous years with vesting terms into 2023, and partially due to equity awards issued under the Company’s long term incentive plan in May 2023 and June 2023. Administrative compensation increased to $1,427,000 in Q223 (Q222 – $1,209,000) due to an overall increase in salaries and incentive compensation tied to talent retention and increase to staff size. In addition, consulting expenses increased to $376,000 in Q223 (Q222 – $128,000) as a result of advancement of permitting and engineering related to Eskay Creek.
Loss and comprehensive loss for the six months ended June 30, 2023
Loss of $36,229,000 in the six months ended June 30, 2023 (“6M23”) was lower than the loss during the six months ended June 30, 2022 (“6M22”) of $43,703,000. The primary reason for the decrease in loss in 6M23 compared to 6M22 is due to a decrease in exploration and evaluation expenses to $25,729,000 (6M22 – $42,959,000), as a result of the higher expenses that had been incurred in the 6M22 related to the Eskay Creek FS and site operations over the winter months.
The decrease in loss between 6M23 and 6M22 was partially offset by several categories which incurred greater expenditures. Flow-through share premium recovery reduced to $1,118,000 (6M22 – $7,114,000) as a result of a reduction in flow-through eligible spending during 6M23 compared to 6M22. Share-based payments increased to $4,512,000 (6M22 – $3,072,000) which was primarily due to the amounts recognized on stock options and RSUs issued in previous years with vesting terms into 2023 and partially due to equity awards issued under the Company’s long term incentive plan in May 2023 and June 2023. Administrative compensation increased to $2,811,000 (6M22 – $1,772,000) in 6M23 due to an overall increase in salaries and incentive compensation tied to talent retention and increase to staff size. A loss on marketable securities of $553,000 was realized in 6M23 compared to a gain of $771,000 in 6M22 resulting from the decrease in the fair value of portfolio of securities held by the Company.
As of December 31, 2022, the commitment to incur qualifying Canadian exploration expenses was $18,007,000 and during the six months ended June 30, 2023, $5,349,000 of this commitment was satisfied, with $12,658,000 remaining as at June 30, 2023. Flow-through premium recovery varies based on amounts of flow-through financing raised, the share-price premium obtained by the Company at the time of the raise, and the timing of incurring costs that may be used to satisfy the flow-through obligation.
Cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2023
The Company’s operating activities consumed net cash of $32,380,000 during 6M23 (6M22 – $41,231,000). The decrease in cash used in operating activities from 6M22 to 6M23 was primarily due to the decrease in exploration and evaluation expenditures incurred.
During 6M23, the Company’s investing activities consumed net cash of $5,068,000 (6M22 – provided $4,836,000). More cash was used in investing activities primarily due to the construction of a modular analytical laboratory at Eskay Creek whereas in 6M22, the Company generated net cash from the acquisition of QuestEx and subsequent sale of assets acquired from QuestEx.