Cornish Metals Inc. (
AIM/TSX-V:
CUSN) (“Cornish Metals” or the “Company”), a mineral
exploration and development company focused on advancing the South
Crofty tin project (“South Crofty” or the “Project”), located in
Cornwall, United Kingdom, to a construction decision, is pleased to
announce that it has released its annual audited financial
statements and management’s discussion and analysis (“MD&A”)
for the period ended December 31, 2023. The reports are available
under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and on the
Company’s website (www.cornishmetals.com).
Highlights for the period ended December
31, 2023 and for the period ending March 20, 2024
(All figures expressed in Canadian dollars unless
otherwise stated)
-
Refurbishment of New Cook’s Kitchen (“NCK”) shaft has commenced
ahead of schedule:
-
Rephasing shaft refurbishment will improve the functionality of NCK
shaft and enable larger equipment to access the mine at an earlier
stage in its re-development (news release dated March 3,
2024).
-
Commissioning of the Water Treatment Plant (“WTP”) completed at the
end of October 2023:
-
Discharge of treated water to the Red River commenced in early
November 2023 in accordance with permitted standards;
-
Dewatering of the mine progressed well with water levels drawing
down as expected. The rate of dewatering has been reduced to allow
shaft refurbishment and dewatering to proceed concurrently (news
releases dated January 17, 2024 and March 3, 2024).
-
Updated Mineral Resource Estimate (“MRE”) for South Crofty mine
released in September 2023:
-
31.6% increase to contained tin in the Indicated Mineral Resource
category for the Lower Mine (news release dated September 13,
2023);
-
Drill programme to collect samples for metallurgical testwork as
part of the South Crofty Feasibility Study completed in June 2023:
-
Visible tin mineralisation confirmed in all 28 drill holes with
assay results reported (news release dated July 3, 2023);
-
Ore sorting testwork completed with excellent results from X-Ray
Transmission ("XRT") confirming the potential to materially reduce
tonnes milled, and reduce process plant capital and operating costs
(news release dated October 8, 2023);
-
Drill programme started at the Wide Formation target in the Carn
Brea exploration area (news release dated September 19, 2023):
-
Drill results from the first six holes confirm the Wide Formation
structure over a 1.6km strike length;
-
A new mineralised structure has been identified lying directly
beneath the Great Flat Lode and several high-grade, steeply dipping
tin zones (news release dated February 4, 2024).
-
Shaft re-access work completed in readiness for commencement of
refurbishment of NCK shaft:
-
South headframe above NCK shaft remediated with installation of new
sheave wheel;
-
New temporary egress headframe arrangement installed inside the
existing north headframe;
-
South winder building refurbished with new exterior cladding and
associated civil works for accommodating new winding
apparatus;
-
Main and auxiliary drum winders installed and commissioned.
-
Work on the Feasibility Study continues and is well underway:
-
Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) expected to be published in
Q2 2024 to provide interim guidance ahead of the publication of the
Feasibility Study (news release dated January 17, 2024).
-
Fifteen-month power supply contract agreed for the provision of
100% renewably generated power thereby providing certainty over
power costs during the mine dewatering phase (news release dated
July 18, 2023);
-
Cornish Metals Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), Richard Williams,
will depart the Company effective on March 31, 2024, when he will
also leave the Company’s Board (news release dated March 15, 2024):
-
Mr. Williams will remain available to the Company on a consulting
basis going forward;
-
Ken Armstrong, a non-executive director, will be appointed as
Interim CEO and Patrick Anderson, Chairman of the Board, will
become the Executive Chairman of the Company during the
transition.
-
Samantha Hoe-Richardson joined the Board as independent
non-executive director effective January 8, 2024 (news release
dated January 8, 2024).
Patrick F. N. Anderson, Executive
Chairman of Cornish Metals, stated, “The Cornish Metals
team made excellent progress in 2023, achieving several important
milestones, in particular, the construction and commissioning of
the water treatment plant, further de-risking South Crofty and
advancing the project closer towards a construction decision. On
behalf of the Board of Directors I want to thank Richard for the
many achievements he made and obstacles overcome to bring the
Company and the South Crofty Project to where it is today.
2024 is shaping up to be another busy year for
the Company with mine dewatering and the refurbishment of NCK shaft
progressing to deeper levels of the mine. The South Crofty PEA is
nearing completion and we look forward to reporting the updated
mine plan and project economics in Q2 this year. We are also
excited by the ongoing Wide Formation drilling programme, with
results to date confirming our model that this represents a new,
large-scale, tin-bearing exploration target lying beneath the
historically mined Great Flat Lode, demonstrating the exploration
upside of this area, which we view as having substantial potential
to add to our current Mineral Resource base at South Crofty.
We appreciate the continued support of our
shareholders, the local community and other stakeholders.”
Review of activities
Updated Mineral Resource Estimate released for
South Crofty Mine
An updated MRE for South Crofty Mine, prepared
in accordance with the requirements of the JORC Code (2012
Edition), was released on September 13, 2023 (“Updated MRE”). This
updates and supersedes the MRE published on June 9, 2021 (“2021
MRE”).
Since the 2021 MRE, the Company’s geological
team has continued to digitize and incorporate historic assay data
into the Mineral Resource model for the Lower Mine. Furthermore,
confirmation of existing structures at depth through the recent
metallurgical drilling programme (as described below) has been
incorporated into the Updated MRE.
The Updated MRE for the Lower Mine area of South
Crofty Mine reports a:
- 39.0% increase
in tonnes and a 31.6% increase in contained tin in the Indicated
Mineral Resource category from the 2021 MRE; and
- 35.6% increase
in tonnes and 15.5% increase in contained tin in the Inferred
Mineral Resource category from the 2021 MRE.
The Updated MRE for the tin-only Lower Mine is
summarized below:
Summary of South Crofty Lower Mine Area Mineral Resource
Estimate at 0.6% Sn Cut-Off Grade (September 6, 2023) |
Classification |
Mass(kt) |
Grade(% Sn) |
Contained Tin (t) |
Increase to Contained Tin from 2021 MRE (t /
%) |
Indicated |
2,896 |
1.50 |
43,573 |
10,475 / 31.6% |
Inferred |
2,626 |
1.42 |
37,422 |
5,026 / 15.5% |
The Mineral Resource Estimate for South Crofty
is available in a report titled “South Crofty Tin Project - Mineral
Resource Update NI 43-101 Technical Report”, dated October 27,
2023, co-authored by Mr. N. Szebor (MCSM, MSc, BSc, CGeol, EurGeol,
FGS) and Mr. R. Chesher (FAusIMM(CP), RPEQ, MTMS) of AMC
Consultants, and can be accessed through the above link and on the
Company’s SEDAR+ page.
The majority of new Mineral Resources are
contained within the central part of the mine in No. 1, No. 2, No.
3, Main, Intermediate, North and Great Lodes following digitization
and modelling of historic data.
The Updated MRE for the Lower Mine area is
reported using a 0.6% tin cut-off grade, the same cut-off grade
applied in the MREs prepared in 2016 and 2021. The Updated MRE was
prepared by the Company’s geological team and independently
reviewed and verified by AMC Consultants (UK) Ltd.
The Lower Mine area contains tin mineralisation
within quartz-tourmaline vein or “lode” structures, which are
hosted entirely within granitic rocks. The major lode structures
that comprise the Updated MRE remain open along strike and to
depth.
Mineral Resources for the Upper Mine area of the
South Crofty Updated MRE were reported accounting for a
recalculation of tin equivalent grades due to changes in metal
prices since the 2021 MRE was published (refer news release dated
September 13, 2023).
Mineral Resources which are not Mineral Reserves
do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of
Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental,
permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing or
other relevant issues.
The Updated MRE will be incorporated into the
mine plan to be included in the Feasibility Study as described
below.
Commissioning of water treatment plant at South Crofty and
commencement of dewatering
The construction of the WTP at South Crofty
involved various enabling works, including completion of the
treated water discharge duct from the WTP, various roadways and the
concrete foundation pad for the WTP itself. Pipelines carrying
water from the submersible pumps in NCK shaft to the WTP were also
laid along with electrical and communication systems.
The WTP comprises nine reaction tanks for
altering the chemical properties to precipitate the various metals
out of solution, and six inclined plate settling tanks (lamella
clarifiers) to remove the precipitated solids. At the back end of
the WTP, a sludge storage and thickening system has been installed,
consisting of storage tanks for unthickened and thickened sludge
and a deep cone thickener to thicken the sludge.
At the mine end is a building housing the high
voltage power supply/sub-station and the variable speed drives
(“VSDs”) required to operate the pumps. A new power supply contract
(refer below) provides the 11kV power supply needed. At the WTP
end, a large motor control centre and automation system was
installed in a new building, which National Grid connected to their
network with another new substation.
A hydro-turbine has been added ahead of the
discharge point that is generating up to 20% of the electricity
required to operate the WTP. Other renewable energy opportunities
are also being explored.
Wet commissioning of the WTP was completed
during September and October 2023. After successful commissioning,
the WTP was officially opened on October 26, 2023, with discharge
of treated water to the Red River commencing in early November
2023. The treated water exceeds the Company’s permitted standards
set by the Environment Agency for its discharge into the Red River.
Dewatering of the mine progressed well with the water level drawing
down as expected. With the commencement of refurbishment of NCK
shaft (as more fully described below), the rate of mine dewatering
has been reduced, with the water level being maintained, to allow
shaft refurbishment and dewatering to proceed concurrently. Mine
dewatering and shaft refurbishment are expected to be complete by
September 2025.
Installation of submersible pumps and commissioning of variable
speed drives
Two submersible pumps manufactured by KSB in
Germany have been installed in NCK shaft for the first stage of the
two-stage mine dewatering programme. The pumps are specialist high
head, vertical pumps that are controlled by VSDs to enable the
25,000m3/day pumping rate to the WTP to be maintained as the water
level drops and the pumping head increases. The VSDs were
manufactured by Schneider Electric and supplied by Siemag Tecberg
UK.
The pumps were installed in NCK shaft in
mid-2023. Commissioning teams from Siemag Tecberg UK and Schneider
Electric were on-site for testing the pumps and VSDs that were
successfully commissioned and ran through a series of performance
tests to demonstrate their ability to meet the target flow rate to
the WTP.
The pumps were initially lowered to
approximately 360 metres below surface and suspended from 120
three-metre-long pipes that form the temporary rising main. When
the water level reaches the level at approximately 360 metres below
surface, a permanent set of pumps will be installed at that level.
The submersible pumps will then be lowered to approximately 730
metres below surface for the second stage of dewatering.
Since the commencement of the dewatering of the
South Crofty mine (refer above), the pumps have been pumping mine
water from approximately 360 metres below surface to the WTP from
where the treated mine water is discharged to the Red River.
Execution of power supply contract for South Crofty
In July 2023, South Crofty entered into a
15-month supply contract with NPower for the provision of 100%
renewably generated power. The supply contract allows South Crofty
to advance through the mine dewatering phase with certainty over
the power costs for the next 15 months. This added certainty is an
important financial consideration given the power price volatility
seen over the last two years.
Preparation for re-accessing New Cook’s Kitchen shaft
Two single drum winders were ordered for the
shaft re-access work, with the primary access winder supplied by
Siemag Tecberg UK and an emergency egress winder provided by Zitrón
S.A. These winders will enable NCK shaft to be re-accessed once
dewatering activities have sufficiently progressed. Both winders
arrived on site by the beginning of November 2023 and have been
installed and commissioned in December 2023 and January 2024,
respectively.
The south headframe sitting above NCK shaft has
been remediated and strengthened as required. New sheave wheels and
associated apparatus have been ordered to replace the originals
which were beyond economic repair. The South Winder house, housing
the primary access winder, has been remediated with its structural
steelwork checked and refurbished, and new exterior cladding
erected. The secondary egress winder has been housed in a new
temporary winding house which was erected in October 2023.
Pump and pipe handling infrastructure has also
been installed around the headframe to facilitate the lowering of
the pumps and pipes and subsequent dewatering activities.
Refurbishment of New Cook’s Kitchen Shaft
After assessment of the condition of the timbers
in NCK shaft, refurbishment of the shaft has commenced ahead of
schedule (refer news release dated March 3, 2024). Rephasing shaft
refurbishment will improve the functionality of NCK shaft, enable
larger equipment to access the mine at an earlier stage in its
re-development and ensure that high health and safety standards are
applied as the underground mine workings are accessed.
As stated above, shaft refurbishment and mine
dewatering will proceed concurrently and are expected to be
complete by September 2025. The rephasing of shaft refurbishment is
expected to have no impact on the overall South Crofty project
development timeline and there is no anticipated impact on the
overall cost of re-opening South Crofty arising from this
rephasing.
Metallurgical study drill programme at South Crofty
A metallurgical drill programme as part of the
Feasibility Study was completed between July 2022 and June 2023.
The programme was designed to collect samples for various
metallurgical studies, including XRT ore sorting, flowsheet
optimisation and paste backfill studies. This testwork should allow
acceleration of the Feasibility Study in advance of dewatering the
mine and will provide key information for the mineral processing
flowsheet.
The programme comprised 10,312 metres of diamond
drilling with three drill rigs contracted from Priority Drilling
Limited, under the supervision of the Company’s geological
team.
Samples were collected from the North Pool Zone
(eastern section of Mineral Resource), the No. 4 and No. 8 Lodes
(central part of the Mineral Resource), Roskear and Dolcoath South
(western part of the Mineral Resource). These five main lodes /
mineralised zones contain the majority of the mineralised material
anticipated to be processed during the first six years of the
proposed mine life.
The metallurgical drill programme comprised 14
parent and daughter drill holes targeting No. 4 and No. 8 Lodes,
and 14 parent and daughter holes targeting the Roskear Lode.
Visible tin mineralisation was observed in all 28 drill holes.
Three holes from each Lode were assayed for base metals and
associated elements and the rest of the drill intercepts were used
for metallurgical studies. The assay results were reported in the
news release dated July 3, 2023.
Four parent and 29 daughter holes targeting the
North Pool Zone and the Dolcoath South Lode, respectively, were
also completed.
Metallurgical testwork results
The metallurgical testwork was conducted on
samples from the metallurgical drill programme (as more fully
described above) across five mineralised zones (North Pool Zone,
No. 4 and No. 8 Lodes, Roskear and Dolcoath South), representing
the majority of the potential production areas in the first six
years of the proposed mine life.
XRT ore sorter testwork of bulk composite
samples was completed by TOMRA Sorting GmbH. Heavy Liquid
Separation (“HLS”) testwork of bulk composite samples was completed
by Wardell Armstrong International.
Both XRT ore sorting and HLS pre-concentration
testwork yielded excellent results:
- XRT: 55% mass rejection with less
than 3% metal loss (-50mm to +15mm size fraction); and
- HLS: 50% mass
rejection with less than 5% metal loss (-15mm to +0.85mm size
fraction).
The metallurgical testwork results confirm the
potential to materially reduce tonnes milled and reduce process
plant capital and operating costs as well as the associated
environmental footprint. The testwork results are being
incorporated in the Feasibility Study as described below.
Preparation of Feasibility Study
Good progress is being made in advancing the
South Crofty Feasibility Study with a substantial amount of the
study completed. All study components, with the exception of infill
drilling, are expected to be finalised by the end of June 2024.
The Feasibility Study continues to progress, or
has completed, the following activities:
- Geotechnical
testwork - televiewer investigations and geotechnical rock testing
completed on the primary mining areas by RobertsonGeo to confirm
known historical structural and rock mass property data;
- Headframe
structural modelling and refurbishment completed by IMEC and Entech
Mining / RSV Group;
- Concept
numerical modelling of the proposed underground mining methods and
stope designs completed by MiningOne;
- Phase 1 of the
metallurgical testwork programme completed by Wardell Armstrong
(mineralogy, physical competency, characterisation XRT, heavy
liquid separation and gravity response testwork). Phase 2 of the
testwork programme (flowsheet development) is progressing
well;
- Ground
investigations for the new mineral processing plant completed by
AGS Ground Solutions;
- Mineral
processing plant design and layout in advanced stages by Fairport
Engineering, incorporating the results of the metallurgical
testwork programme and potential future throughput expansions;
- Underground mine
design and optimisation completed using the September 2023 South
Crofty updated MRE;
- Concept mine
ventilation study, underground infrastructure design and hoisting
analysis completed;
- Concept
engineering on paste backfill options and sighter testwork
completed by Paterson & Cooke (UK);
- Feasibility
Study level engineering design for the paste backfill plant is
underway;
- Hydrogeology
(Piteau Associates), environmental, social, closure (SLR
Consulting) and market studies (Project Blue and CRU Group)
completed; and
- AMC Consultants
(UK) has been commissioned to review and provide overall
Feasibility Study sign-off.
Exploration drill programme at Carn Brea
South
A 9,000-metre exploration drill programme
commenced at the Wide Formation target in the Carn Brea South
exploration area. The drill programme is designed to test the
geometry and the continuity of tin mineralisation within the
recently discovered Wide Formation target (refer news release dated
January 10, 2023).
The mineralisation style in the Wide Formation,
comprising pervasive tourmaline and quartz (termed ‘blue peach’),
is similar in character to that associated with No. 8 Lode, one of
the most prolific tin producing lodes in the latter years of
operation of the South Crofty mine. The drill programme is testing
an area measuring 2,500 metres along strike (northeast to
southwest) and 500 metres downdip (north to south).
Drill results from the first six holes (refer
news release dated February 4, 2024) confirm the Wide Formation
structure over a 1.6km strike length, a downdip extent of at least
525 metres and thicknesses ranging from 1.8 metres – 4.8 metres.
The structure remains open. Notable tin intercepts from the Wide
Formation include 1.21 metres grading 0.87% Sn in CB23_004.
Drilling also identified a new mineralised
structure lying directly beneath the Great Flat Lode Splay, and
several high-grade, steeply dipping tin zones between the Great
Flat Lode and the Wide Formation. Notable tin intercepts from the
newly identified Great Flat Lode Splay include 3.38 metres grading
1.01% Sn in CB23_002.
Notable tin intercepts from multiple
steeply-dipping, high-grade tin zones mainly intersected between
the Great Flat Lode and the Wide Formation including 3.09 metres
grading 1.21% Sn in CB23_001.
To date, nine drill holes (totalling
approximately 6,119 metres) have been completed.
Departure of CEO, Richard Williams
On March 15, 2024, the Company announced the
departure of CEO, Richard Williams, effective on March 31, 2024,
when he will also leave the Company’s Board. Mr. Williams will
remain available to the Company on a consulting basis going
forward. Ken Armstrong, a non-executive director, will be appointed
as Interim CEO and Patrick Anderson, Chairman of the Board, will
become the Executive Chairman of the Company during the transition
and search for a permanent CEO to lead the Company through the next
stage of development of South Crofty as the Company moves towards
construction.
Appointment of Samantha Hoe-Richardson as
independent non-executive director
On January 8, 2024, the Company announced that
Samantha Hoe-Richardson joined the Board of Directors as an
independent non-executive director (refer news release dated
January 8, 2024). Ms. Hoe-Richardson is an experienced
non-executive director from a global mining, infrastructure and
insurance background. She is currently a non-executive director of
Kew Soda Ltd, Assured Guaranty UK Ltd, Ascot Underwriting Limited,
3i Infrastructure plc and an independent advisor on climate change
& sustainability to Laing O’Rourke. Ms. Hoe-Richardson was Head
of Environment & Sustainable Development at Network Rail until
2017 and prior to that spent 16 years at Anglo American plc,
latterly as Head of Environment. She previously worked in
investment banking and audit. Ms. Hoe-Richardson holds a Masters
Degree in nuclear and electrical engineering from the University of
Cambridge, and is also a non-practicing Chartered Accountant.
Financial highlights for the period
ended December 31, 2023 and the year ended January 31,
2023
|
Eleven months ended December 31,
2023 |
Year endedJanuary 31, 2023 |
(Expressed in Canadian dollars) |
|
|
Total operating expenses |
4,859,889 |
|
3,448,124 |
|
Loss before income taxes |
2,887,255 |
|
1,202,257 |
|
Loss for the period |
2,714,155 |
|
1,218,257 |
|
Net cash (used in) operating activities |
(2,732,773 |
) |
(3,607,008 |
) |
Net cash (used in) investing activities |
(28,164,958 |
) |
(10,318,376 |
) |
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities |
(32,082 |
) |
61,657,081 |
|
Cash at end of the financial period |
25,791,552 |
|
55,495,232 |
|
- Increase
in operating costs impacted by higher insurance costs attributable
to more site-based activities primarily relating to the
construction of the WTP, related dewatering and NCK shaft re-access
work;
-
Interest income of $1.7 million benefitted from increased interest
rates being received on higher cash balance following the
Offering;
-
Cash refund received of $168,112 relating to research and
development tax credit arising from South Crofty drill programme
completed in 2020, with further applications underway for
subsequent activities;
-
Expenditure of $14.8 million incurred during the period on the
construction of the WTP and related dewatering equipment, as well
as new or replacement equipment for the mine;
-
Dewatering costs of $1.3 million incurred since October 2023 for
power, reagents, sludge disposal and maintenance of the WTP;
-
Other project related costs of $10.6 million incurred during the
period relating to the advancement of South Crofty to a potential
construction decision, primarily for the metallurgical drill
programme, the feasibility study and planning activities for
dewatering and NCK shaft re-access;
-
Costs of $1.2 million incurred for the continuation of the
exploration programme at Carn Brea which re-commenced in June 2023;
and
-
Recognition of foreign currency translation gain of $2.0 million
for those assets located in the UK when translated into Canadian
dollars for presentational purposes.
The Company changed its financial year end from
January 31 to December 31 to better align the Company’s financial
reporting periods to that of its peer group in the mineral
resources sector. In addition, the calendar year end coincides with
traditional financial, taxation and operational cycles. The change
in year end takes effect from December 31, 2023 with the result
that the current period of reporting is the eleven months ended
December 31, 2023. The comparative period of reporting is the
twelve months ended January 31, 2023.
Outlook
As described above, the Company is advancing the
South Crofty tin project to a potential construction decision. The
Company’s objectives are as follows:
-
Dewater South Crofty mine and refurbish NCK shaft by September
2025;
-
Publish a PEA for South Crofty in the second quarter of 2024;
-
Complete a Feasibility Study with the outcome of the PEA providing
guidance for the timing for the completion of the Feasibility Study
and outstanding work programmes;
-
All study components of the ongoing Feasibility Study, with the
exception of infill drilling, expected to be completed by the end
of June 2024;
-
Complete the 14-hole / 9,000 metre Wide Formation exploration drill
programme, and
- Commence
basic and detailed engineering studies, construction of the
processing plant, refurbishment of underground facilities and other
on-site early works.
The follow-up exploration drill programme at the
Wide Formation target at Carn Brea South will also continue subject
to the receipt of satisfactory drill results.
Subject to the availability of financing,
consideration will also be given to continuing with the Company’s
exploration programme at United Downs and evaluating other high
potential, exploration targets within transport distance of the
planned processing plant site at South Crofty.
The Company continues to target first tin
production from South Crofty mine by the end of 2026, subject to
securing project financing.
ABOUT CORNISH METALS
Cornish Metals is a dual-listed company (AIM and
TSX-V: CUSN) focused on advancing the South Crofty high-grade,
underground tin Project through to a construction decision, as well
as exploring its additional mineral rights, all located in
Cornwall, United Kingdom.
- South Crofty is
a historical, high-grade, underground tin mine that started
production in 1592 and continued operating until 1998 following
over 400 years of continuous production;
- The Project
possesses Planning Permission for underground mining (valid to
2071), to construct new processing facilities and all necessary
site infrastructure, and an Environmental Permit to dewater the
mine;
- South Crofty has
the 4th highest grade tin Mineral Resource globally and benefits
from existing mine infrastructure including multiple shafts that
can be used for future operations;
- Tin is a
Critical Mineral as defined by the UK, USA, and Canadian
governments, with approximately two-thirds of the tin mined today
coming from China, Myanmar and Indonesia;
- There is no
primary tin production in Europe or North America;
- Tin connects
almost all electronic and electrical infrastructure, making it
critical to the energy transition – responsible sourcing of
critical minerals and security of supply are key factors in the
energy transition and technology growth;
- South Crofty
benefits from strong local community and regional and national
government support.
- Cornish Metals
has a growing team of skilled people, local to Cornwall, and the
Project could generate 250 – 300 direct jobs.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
The technical information in this news release
has been compiled by Mr. Owen Mihalop who has reviewed and takes
responsibility for the data and geological interpretation. Mr. Owen
Mihalop (MCSM, BSc (Hons), MSc, FGS, MIMMM, CEng) is Chief
Operating Officer for Cornish Metals Inc. and has sufficient
experience relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of
deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is
undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined under the
JORC Code (2012) and as a Qualified Person under NI 43-101. Mr.
Mihalop consents to the inclusion in this announcement of the
matters based on his information in the form and context in which
it appears.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
“Patrick F. N. Anderson”Patrick F. N.
Anderson
For additional information please contact:
Cornish Metals |
Fawzi HananoIrene Dorsman |
investors@cornishmetals.com info@cornishmetals.com |
|
|
Tel: +1 (604) 200 6664 |
SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP (Nominated Adviser
& Joint Broker) |
Richard Morrison Charlie Bouverat Grant Barker |
Tel: +44 203 470 0470 |
|
|
|
Cavendish Capital Markets Limited(Joint
Broker) |
Derrick LeeNeil McDonaldLeif Powis |
Tel: +44 131 220 6939Tel: +44 207 220 0500 |
|
|
|
Hannam & Partners(Financial Adviser) |
Matthew HassonAndrew Chubb Jay Ashfield |
cornish@hannam.partners Tel: +44 207 907 8500 |
|
|
|
BlytheRay(Financial PR) |
Tim Blythe Megan Ray |
tim.blythe@blytheray.com megan.ray@blytheray.comTel: +44 207 138
3204 |
|
|
|
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its
Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the
policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for
the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Caution regarding forward looking
statements
This news release contains certain
“forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements”
(collectively, “forward-looking statements”). Forward-looking
statements include predictions, projections, outlook, guidance,
estimates and forecasts and other statements regarding future
plans, the realisation, cost, timing and extent of mineral resource
or mineral reserve estimates, estimation of commodity prices,
currency exchange rate fluctuations, estimated future exploration
expenditures, costs and timing of the development of new deposits,
success of exploration activities, permitting time lines,
requirements for additional capital and the Company’s ability to
obtain financing when required and on terms acceptable to the
Company, future or estimated mine life and other activities or
achievements of Cornish Metals, including but not limited to:
mineralisation at South Crofty, mine dewatering expectations,
Cornish Metals’ exploration drilling programme, exploration
potential and project growth opportunities for the South Crofty tin
project and other Cornwall mineral properties and the timing
thereof, timing and results of Cornish Metals’ feasibility study,
the Company’s ability to evaluate and develop the South Crofty tin
project and other Cornwall mineral properties, strategic vision of
Cornish Metals and expectations regarding the South Crofty mine,
timing and results of projects mentioned. Forward-looking
statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of
words such as “seek”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “plan”, “estimate”,
“forecast”, “expect”, “potential”, “project”, “target”, “schedule”,
“budget” and “intend” and statements that an event or result “may”,
“will”, “should”, “could”, “would” or “might” occur or be achieved
and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof.
All statements other than statements of historical fact included in
this news release, are forward-looking statements that involve
various risks and uncertainties and there can be no assurance that
such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and
future events could differ materially from those anticipated in
such statements.
Forward-looking statements are subject to risks
and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially
different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements, including but not limited to: risks related to receipt
of regulatory approvals, risks related to general economic and
market conditions; risks related to the availability of financing;
the timing and content of upcoming work programmes; actual results
of proposed exploration activities; possible variations in Mineral
Resources or grade; outcome of the current Feasibility Study;
projected dates to commence mining operations; failure of plant,
equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour
disputes, title disputes, claims and limitations on insurance
coverage and other risks of the mining industry; changes in
national and local government regulation of mining operations, tax
rules and regulations. The list is not exhaustive of the factors
that may affect Cornish’s forward-looking statements.
Cornish Metals’ forward-looking statements are
based on the opinions and estimates of management and reflect their
current expectations regarding future events and operating
performance and speak only as of the date such statements are made.
Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors
that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ from
those described in forward- looking statements, there may be other
factors that cause such actions, events or results to differ
materially from those anticipated. There can be no assurance that
forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and
accordingly readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place
undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Cornish Metals does
not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if
circumstances or management’s beliefs, expectations or opinions
should change other than as required by applicable law.
Market Abuse Regulation (MAR)
Disclosure
The information contained within this announcement is deemed by
the Company to constitute inside information pursuant to Article 7
of EU Regulation 596/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by
virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 as amended.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL
POSITION(Expressed in Canadian dollars)
|
As atDecember 31, 2023 |
As atJanuary 31, 2023 |
|
|
|
ASSETS |
|
|
Current |
|
|
Cash |
$ |
25,791,552 |
|
$ |
55,495,232 |
|
Marketable securities |
|
2,665,454 |
|
|
2,718,936 |
|
Receivables |
|
1,112,638 |
|
|
656,407 |
|
Prepaid expenses |
|
591,264 |
|
|
371,977 |
|
Deferred financing fees |
|
135,242 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
30,296,150 |
|
|
59,242,552 |
|
|
|
|
Deposits |
|
85,954 |
|
|
54,165 |
|
Property, plant and equipment |
|
23,788,325 |
|
|
9,721,352 |
|
Exploration and evaluation assets |
|
50,050,323 |
|
|
33,088,129 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
104,220,752 |
|
$ |
102,106,198 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
Current |
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
$ |
5,063,940 |
|
$ |
2,494,642 |
|
Lease liability |
|
- |
|
|
642 |
|
|
|
5,063,940 |
|
|
2,495,284 |
|
NSR liability |
|
9,064,817 |
|
|
9,149,804 |
|
|
|
14,128,757 |
|
|
11,645,088 |
|
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
|
|
Capital stock |
|
128,394,652 |
|
|
128,377,152 |
|
Share subscriptions received in advance |
|
- |
|
|
17,500 |
|
Capital contribution |
|
2,007,665 |
|
|
2,007,665 |
|
Share-based payment reserve |
|
711,690 |
|
|
384,758 |
|
Foreign currency translation reserve |
|
1,369,146 |
|
|
(648,962 |
) |
Deficit |
|
(42,391,158 |
) |
|
(39,677,003 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
90,091,995 |
|
|
90,461,110 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
104,220,752 |
|
$ |
102,106,198 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF LOSS AND COMPREHENSIVE
LOSSFor the eleven month period ended December 31,
2023 and year ended January 31, 2023(Expressed in Canadian
dollars)
|
December 31, 2023 |
January 31, 2023 |
|
|
|
EXPENSES |
|
|
Travel and marketing |
$ |
634,145 |
|
$ |
515,166 |
|
Depreciation |
|
- |
|
|
443 |
|
Insurance |
|
633,287 |
|
|
145,462 |
|
Office, miscellaneous and rent |
|
175,164 |
|
|
102,540 |
|
Professional fees |
|
1,048,676 |
|
|
744,585 |
|
Generative exploration costs |
|
25,680 |
|
|
122,797 |
|
Regulatory and filing fees |
|
86,760 |
|
|
164,798 |
|
Share-based compensation |
|
205,026 |
|
|
- |
|
Salaries, directors’ fees and benefits |
|
2,051,151 |
|
|
1,652,333 |
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses |
|
(4,859,889 |
) |
|
(3,448,124 |
) |
|
|
|
Interest income |
|
1,695,837 |
|
|
417,136 |
|
Foreign exchange gain |
|
394,621 |
|
|
758,216 |
|
Loss on the disposal of property, plant and equipment |
|
(921 |
) |
|
- |
|
Gain on the disposal of royalty |
|
- |
|
|
318,147 |
|
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities |
|
(116,903 |
) |
|
752,368 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss before income taxes |
|
(2,887,255 |
) |
|
(1,202,257 |
) |
Income tax recovery (expense) |
|
173,100 |
|
|
(16,000 |
) |
Loss for the period |
|
(2,714,155 |
) |
|
(1,218,257 |
) |
|
|
|
Foreign currency translation |
|
2,018,108 |
|
|
(474,839 |
) |
Total comprehensive loss for the period |
$ |
(696,047 |
) |
$ |
(1,693,096 |
) |
|
|
|
Basic and diluted loss per share |
$ |
(0.00 |
) |
$ |
(0.00 |
) |
|
|
|
Weighted average number of common shares
outstanding: |
|
535,269,215 |
|
|
456,262,207 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH
FLOWSFor the eleven month period ended December
31, 2023 and year ended January 31, 2023 (Expressed in
Canadian dollars)
|
December 31, 2023 |
January 31, 2023 |
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
Loss for the period |
$ |
(2,714,155 |
) |
$ |
(1,218,257 |
) |
Items not involving cash: |
|
|
Depreciation |
|
- |
|
|
443 |
|
Share-based compensation |
|
205,026 |
|
|
- |
|
Loss on the disposal of property, plant and equipment |
|
921 |
|
|
- |
|
Gain on the disposal of royalty |
|
- |
|
|
(318,147 |
) |
Unrealized loss (gain) on marketable securities |
|
116,903 |
|
|
(752,368 |
) |
Foreign exchange gain |
|
(394,621 |
) |
|
(758,217 |
) |
Income tax expense (recovery) |
|
(173,100 |
) |
|
16,000 |
|
|
|
|
Income taxes received during the period |
|
157,100 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
Changes in non-cash working capital items: |
|
|
Increase in receivables |
|
(456,230 |
) |
|
(549,177 |
) |
Increase in prepaid expenses |
|
(204,107 |
) |
|
(96,025 |
) |
Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
|
729,490 |
|
|
68,740 |
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in operating activities |
|
(2,732,773 |
) |
|
(3,607,008 |
) |
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment |
|
(14,192,068 |
) |
|
(2,729,942 |
) |
Acquisition of exploration and evaluation assets |
|
(13,942,740 |
) |
|
(7,576,717 |
) |
Increase in deposits |
|
(30,150 |
) |
|
(11,717 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities |
|
(28,164,958 |
) |
|
(10,318,376 |
) |
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
Proceeds from the Offering |
|
- |
|
|
65,135,746 |
|
Proceeds from option and warrant exercises |
|
- |
|
|
411,222 |
|
Proceeds from the warrant exercises received in advance of share
issue |
|
- |
|
|
17,500 |
|
Share issue costs |
|
- |
|
|
(3,966,075 |
) |
Proceeds from the disposal of royalty |
|
- |
|
|
63,147 |
|
Increase in deferred financing fees |
|
(31,359 |
) |
|
- |
|
Lease payments |
|
(723 |
) |
|
(4,459 |
) |
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
|
(32,082 |
) |
|
61,657,081 |
|
|
|
|
Change in cash during the period |
|
(30,929,813 |
) |
|
47,731,697 |
|
Cash, beginning of the period |
|
55,495,232 |
|
|
6,922,704 |
|
Impact of foreign exchange on cash |
|
1,226,133 |
|
|
840,831 |
|
|
|
|
Cash, end of the period |
$ |
25,791,552 |
|
$ |
55,495,232 |
|
|
|
|
Cash paid during the period for interest |
$ |
- |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
|
|
Cash paid during the period for income taxes |
$ |
11,012 |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITYFor the eleven month period
ended December 31, 2023 and year ended January 31, 2023
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)
|
|
|
Share |
|
|
|
Foreign |
|
|
|
Capital stock |
|
subscriptions |
|
|
Share-based |
currency |
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
received in |
|
Capital |
payment |
translation |
|
Shareholders’ |
|
shares |
Amount |
|
advance |
|
contribution |
reserve |
reserve |
Deficit |
equity – total |
Balance at January 31, 2022 |
285,850,157 |
$ |
56,846,350 |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
2,007,665 |
$ |
630,265 |
|
$ |
(174,123 |
) |
$ |
(38,599,036 |
) |
$ |
20,711,121 |
|
Share issuance pursuant to the Offering |
225,000,000 |
|
65,135,746 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
65,135,746 |
|
Share issue costs |
- |
|
(3,966,075 |
) |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(3,966,075 |
) |
Warrant exercises |
3,272,222 |
|
291,222 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
291,222 |
|
Warrant exercises received in advance |
- |
|
- |
|
|
17,500 |
|
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
17,500 |
|
Option exercises |
600,000 |
|
225,217 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
(105,217 |
) |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
120,000 |
|
Expiry of options |
- |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
(140,290 |
) |
|
- |
|
|
140,290 |
|
|
- |
|
Shares issued pursuant to property option agreement |
20,298,333 |
|
9,844,692 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
9,844,692 |
|
Foreign currency translation |
- |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
(474,839 |
) |
|
- |
|
|
(474,839 |
) |
Loss for the period |
- |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(1,218,257 |
) |
|
(1,218,257 |
) |
Balance at January 31, 2023 |
535,020,712 |
$ |
128,377,152 |
|
$ |
17,500 |
|
$ |
2,007,665 |
$ |
384,758 |
|
$ |
(648,962 |
) |
$ |
(39,677,003 |
) |
$ |
90,461,110 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at January 31, 2023 |
535,020,712 |
$ |
128,377,152 |
|
$ |
17,500 |
|
$ |
2,007,665 |
$ |
384,758 |
|
$ |
(648,962 |
) |
$ |
(39,677,003 |
) |
$ |
90,461,110 |
|
Warrant exercises |
250,000 |
|
17,500 |
|
|
(17,500 |
) |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
Foreign currency translation |
- |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
2,018,108 |
|
|
- |
|
|
2,018,108 |
|
Share-based compensation |
- |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
326,932 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
326,932 |
|
Loss for the period |
- |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(2,714,155 |
) |
|
(2,714,155 |
) |
Balance at December 31, 2023 |
535,270,712 |
$ |
128,394,652 |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
2,007,665 |
$ |
711,690 |
|
$ |
1,369,146 |
|
$ |
(42,391,158 |
) |
$ |
90,091,995 |
|
Cornish Metals (TSXV:CUSN)
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