SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of May, 2015
Claude Resources Inc.
(Translation of registrant’s name into
English)
200 - 224 - 4th
Ave S., Saskatoon, SK, S7K 5M5
(Address of principal executive offices)
|
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F: |
|
|
|
|
Form 20-F ¨ |
Form 40-F x |
|
Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
|
|
|
|
Yes £ |
No S |
|
|
|
|
If " Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ______ |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant, Claude Resources Inc., has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized.
Date: |
May 7, 2015 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Claude Resources Inc. |
|
|
|
(Registrant) |
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Rick Johnson |
|
Rick Johnson |
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit |
|
Description |
|
|
|
99.1 |
|
Q1 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDING MARCH 31, 2015 |
99.2 |
|
Q1 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS FOR THE PERIOD ENDING MARCH 31, 2015 |
Exhibit 99.1
NOTICE OF AUDITOR REVIEW OF INTERIM FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
Under National Instrument 51-102, Part 4, subsection
4.3(3)(a), if an auditor has not performed a review of the interim financial statements, they must be accompanied by a notice indicating
that the financial statements have not been reviewed by an auditor.
The Management of Claude Resources Inc. is
responsible for the preparation of the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements. The unaudited interim
consolidated financial statements are considered by Management to present fairly the financial position, operating results and
cash flows of the Company.
The Company's independent auditor has not performed
a review of these financial statements, in accordance with standards established by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants.
These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal and recurring items that
Management considers necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
|
|
|
|
Brian Skanderbeg, P.Geo |
Rick Johnson, CPA, CA |
Chief Executive Officer |
Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
Date: May 6, 2015 |
|
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Financial Position
(In Thousands of Canadian Dollars - Unaudited)
| |
| |
MARCH 31 | |
DECEMBER 31 |
| |
| |
2015 | |
2014 |
| |
Note | |
| |
|
Assets | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Cash and cash equivalents | |
| | | |
$ | 15,363 | | |
$ | 11,172 | |
Short-term investments | |
| 5 | | |
| 1,035 | | |
| 1,177 | |
Accounts receivable | |
| | | |
| 453 | | |
| 3,245 | |
Inventories | |
| 6 | | |
| 31,384 | | |
| 20,318 | |
Prepaid expenses and deposits | |
| | | |
| 281 | | |
| 609 | |
Current assets | |
| | | |
| 48,516 | | |
| 36,521 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Mineral properties | |
| | | |
| 133,578 | | |
| 128,912 | |
Deposits for reclamation costs | |
| 7 | | |
| 2,079 | | |
| 2,079 | |
Non-current assets | |
| | | |
| 135,657 | | |
| 130,991 | |
Total assets | |
| | | |
$ | 184,173 | | |
$ | 167,512 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Liabilities | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | |
| | | |
$ | 19,612 | | |
$ | 8,142 | |
Loans and borrowings | |
| 8 | | |
| 3,600 | | |
| 3,600 | |
Net royalty obligation | |
| 9 | | |
| 881 | | |
| 912 | |
Current liabilities | |
| | | |
| 24,093 | | |
| 12,654 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Loans and borrowings | |
| 8 | | |
| 17,170 | | |
| 17,981 | |
Net royalty obligation | |
| 9 | | |
| 427 | | |
| 654 | |
Decommissioning and reclamation | |
| 7 | | |
| 6,928 | | |
| 6,798 | |
Non-current liabilities | |
| | | |
| 24,525 | | |
| 25,433 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Shareholders' equity | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Share capital | |
| | | |
| 199,567 | | |
| 198,489 | |
Contributed surplus | |
| | | |
| 7,219 | | |
| 7,148 | |
Accumulated deficit | |
| | | |
| (71,251 | ) | |
| (76,373 | ) |
Accumulated other comprehensive income | |
| | | |
| 20 | | |
| 161 | |
Total shareholders' equity | |
| | | |
| 135,555 | | |
| 129,425 | |
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | |
| | | |
$ | 184,173 | | |
$ | 167,512 | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated interim financial
statements.
On behalf of the Board:
|
|
|
|
Brian Booth, P.Geo. |
Ronald J. Hicks, CPA, CA |
Chair |
Chairman, Audit Committee |
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Income (Loss)
(In Thousands of Canadian Dollars, except per share amounts - Unaudited)
| |
| |
Three Months Ended |
| |
| |
March 31 | |
March 31 |
| |
| |
2015 | |
2014 |
| |
Note | |
| |
|
| |
| |
| |
|
Revenue | |
| | | |
$ | 26,183 | | |
$ | 15,624 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Mine Operating: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Production costs | |
| | | |
| 10,730 | | |
| 10,628 | |
Production royalty | |
| | | |
| 964 | | |
| 58 | |
Depreciation and depletion | |
| | | |
| 3,871 | | |
| 5,593 | |
| |
| | | |
| 15,565 | | |
| 16,279 | |
Gross profit (loss) | |
| | | |
| 10,618 | | |
| (655 | ) |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
General and administrative | |
| | | |
| 2,901 | | |
| 2,360 | |
Finance expense | |
| | | |
| 2,889 | | |
| 2,155 | |
Finance and other income | |
| | | |
| (294 | ) | |
| (431 | ) |
Loss on sale of assets | |
| | | |
| - | | |
| 642 | |
Gain on investments | |
| | | |
| - | | |
| (270 | ) |
| |
| | | |
| 5,496 | | |
| 4,456 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Net profit (loss) | |
| | | |
$ | 5,122 | | |
$ | (5,111 | ) |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Net earnings (loss) per share | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Basic and diluted | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Net proft (loss) | |
| 11 | | |
$ | 0.03 | | |
$ | (0.03 | ) |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Basic | |
| | | |
| 192,928 | | |
| 182,029 | |
Diluted | |
| | | |
| 193,799 | | |
| 182,029 | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated interim financial
statements.
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Loss)
(In Thousands of Canadian Dollars - Unaudited)
| |
Three Months Ended |
| |
March 31 |
| |
2015 | |
2014 |
| |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
Net profit (loss) | |
$ | 5,122 | | |
$ | (5,111 | ) |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Other comprehensive income (loss) | |
| | | |
| | |
Gain on available-for-sale securities transferred to profit | |
| - | | |
| (270 | ) |
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-securities | |
| (141 | ) | |
| 957 | |
Other comprehensive income (loss) | |
| (141 | ) | |
| 687 | |
Total comprehensive income (loss) | |
$ | 4,981 | | |
$ | (4,424 | ) |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated interim financial
statements.
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Shareholders' Equity
(In Thousands of Canadian Dollars - Unaudited)
| |
Three Months Ended |
| |
March 31 | |
March 31 |
| |
2015 | |
2014 |
| |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
Share Capital | |
| | | |
| | |
Balance, beginning of period | |
$ | 198,489 | | |
$ | 195,245 | |
Common shares issued | |
| 735 | | |
| 1,501 | |
Transfers from contributed surplus | |
| 343 | | |
| 1,743 | |
Balance, end of period | |
$ | 199,567 | | |
$ | 198,489 | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Contributed Surplus | |
| | | |
| | |
Balance, beginning of period | |
$ | 7,148 | | |
$ | 8,223 | |
Stock-based compensation | |
| 414 | | |
| 215 | |
Transfers to share capital | |
| (343 | ) | |
| (1,743 | ) |
Balance, end of period | |
$ | 7,219 | | |
$ | 6,695 | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Accumulated Deficit | |
| | | |
| | |
Balance, beginning of period | |
$ | (76,373 | ) | |
$ | (80,925 | ) |
Net profit (loss) | |
| 5,122 | | |
| (5,111 | ) |
Balance, end of period | |
$ | (71,251 | ) | |
$ | (86,036 | ) |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | |
| | | |
| | |
Balance, beginning of period | |
$ | 161 | | |
$ | 53 | |
Other comprehensive income (loss) | |
| (141 | ) | |
| 687 | |
Balance, end of period | |
$ | 20 | | |
$ | 740 | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Shareholders' equity, end of period | |
$ | 135,555 | | |
$ | 119,888 | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated interim financial
statements.
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Cash Flows
(In Thousands of Canadian Dollars - Unaudited)
| |
Three Months Ended |
| |
March 31 | |
March 31 |
| |
2015 | |
2014 |
| |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
Cash flows from operating activities: | |
| | | |
| | |
Net profit (loss) | |
$ | 5,122 | | |
$ | (5,111 | ) |
Adjustments for non-cash items: | |
| | | |
| | |
Depreciation and depletion | |
| 3,871 | | |
| 5,593 | |
Finance expense | |
| 118 | | |
| 921 | |
Finance and other income | |
| (257 | ) | |
| (206 | ) |
Loss on sale of assets | |
| - | | |
| 642 | |
Gain on investments | |
| - | | |
| (270 | ) |
Stock-based compensation | |
| 414 | | |
| 215 | |
| |
| 9,268 | | |
| 1,784 | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Net changes in non-cash operating working capital: | |
| | | |
| | |
Accounts receivable | |
| 2,792 | | |
| (2,484 | ) |
Inventories | |
| (10,355 | ) | |
| (9,930 | ) |
Prepaid expenses and deposits | |
| 328 | | |
| 73 | |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | |
| 11,470 | | |
| 9,698 | |
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities | |
| 13,503 | | |
| (859 | ) |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Cash flows from investing activities: | |
| | | |
| | |
Additions to mineral properties | |
| (9,147 | ) | |
| (7,895 | ) |
Proceeds from NSR agreement | |
| - | | |
| 12,813 | |
Proceeds from sale of assets | |
| - | | |
| 8,259 | |
Decrease in short-term investments | |
| - | | |
| 356 | |
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities | |
| (9,147 | ) | |
| 13,533 | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Cash flows from financing activities: | |
| | | |
| | |
Proceeds from issue of common shares and warrants, net of issue costs | |
| 735 | | |
| 711 | |
Term loan repayments | |
| (900 | ) | |
| - | |
Demand loan repayments | |
| - | | |
| (5,614 | ) |
Obligations under finance lease repayments | |
| - | | |
| (291 | ) |
Cash used in financing activities | |
| (165 | ) | |
| (5,194 | ) |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Increase in cash and cash equivalents | |
| 4,191 | | |
| 7,480 | |
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents related to assets held for sale | |
| - | | |
| (88 | ) |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Cash and cash equivalents (bank indebtedness), beginning of period | |
| 11,172 | | |
| (8,623 | ) |
Cash and cash equivalents (bank indebtedness), end of period | |
$ | 15,363 | | |
$ | (1,231 | ) |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated interim financial
statements.
Claude Resources Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
For the Periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
Unaudited, in Thousands of Canadian Dollars, except share data
or as otherwise noted
Claude Resources Inc. (“Claude”
or the “Company”) is a company domiciled in Canada. The address of the Company’s registered office is at 1500,
410 – 22nd Street East, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7K 5T6. Its principal office is located at 200, 219 Robin Crescent,
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7L 6M8.
Claude Resources Inc. is a gold producer whose
shares are listed on both the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: CRJ) and the OTCQB (OTCQB: CLGRF). The Company is also engaged in the
exploration and development of gold mineral reserves and mineral resources. The Company’s entire asset base is located in
Canada. Its revenue generating asset is the 100 percent owned Seabee Gold Operation, located in northern Saskatchewan. Claude also
owns 100 percent of the Amisk Gold Project in northeastern Saskatchewan.
STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE
These condensed consolidated interim financial
statements for the period ended March 31, 2015 have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 (“IAS
34”), Interim Financial Reporting. These condensed consolidated interim financial statements do not include all of
the information required for full annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s 2014 annual
financial statements prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), as issued by
the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).
These condensed consolidated interim financial
statements have been prepared following the same accounting policies and methods as those used in preparing the most recent audited
consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014.
These condensed consolidated interim financial
statements were authorized for issue by the Company’s Board of Directors on May 6, 2015.
Details of the Company’s accounting policies,
including changes during the year, are included in Notes 3 and 4.
BASIS OF MEASUREMENT
These condensed consolidated interim financial
statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis except for available-for-sale financial assets and liabilities for cash-settled
share-based payment arrangements, which are measured at fair value.
FUNCTIONAL CURRENCY
These condensed consolidated interim financial
statements are presented in Canadian dollars, which is the Company’s functional currency. All financial information presented
in Canadian dollars has been rounded to the nearest thousand, except share data or as otherwise noted.
USE OF JUDGMENTS AND ESTIMATES
The preparation of the Company’s consolidated
financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires Management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application
of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses and disclosure of contingent assets
and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements. Significant judgments, estimates and assumptions are related
to the useful lives and recoverability of mineral properties and deferred income tax assets or liabilities, valuation of inventory,
provisions for decommissioning and reclamation and financial instruments.
Although these estimates are based on Management’s
best knowledge of the amount, events or actions, actual results ultimately may differ from those estimates.
Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed
on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any
future periods affected.
Claude Resources Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
For the Periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
Unaudited, in Thousands of Canadian Dollars, except share data
or as otherwise noted
Critical Judgments in Applying Accounting
Policies
Critical judgments that the Company’s
management has made in the process of applying the Company’s accounting policies, apart from those involving estimates, that
have the most significant effect on the amounts recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements are as follows:
Production Start Date
The Company assesses the stage of each mine
under construction to determine when a mine moves into commercial production. The criteria used to assess the start date of commercial
production are based on the unique nature of each mine construction project, such as the complexity of the geology and its location.
The Company considers various relevant criteria to assess when the mine construction phase is substantially complete and the mine
is ready for its intended use. At this point, deferred costs are reclassified from “Mines under construction” to “Producing
mines” and “Property, plant and equipment”. Some of the criteria will include, but are not limited, to the following:
| · | Completion of a reasonable period of testing of the mine plant and equipment; |
| · | Ability to produce precious metal in saleable form; |
| · | Ability to sustain certain levels of ongoing production of precious metals; and |
| · | Production attaining a reasonable percentage of Mine Plan for a specified period of time. |
When a mine enters the production stage, the
capitalization of certain construction costs cease and costs are either regarded as inventory or operating expense, except for
new capital costs which are capitalized. Depreciation and depletion commence at this time.
Exploration and Evaluation Expenditures
The application of the Company’s accounting
policy for exploration and evaluation expenditures requires judgment in determining whether future economic benefits are likely
either from future extraction or sale or where activities have not reached a stage which permits a reasonable assessment of the
existence of mineral reserves. The determination of a mineral resource is itself an estimation process that involves varying degrees
of uncertainty depending on sub-classification and these estimates directly impact the decision to continue the deferral of exploration
and evaluation expenditures. The accounting policy requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions about future events
or circumstances, in particular whether an economically viable extraction operation can be established. Estimates and assumptions
made may change if new information becomes available. If, after an expenditure is capitalized, information becomes available suggesting
that the recovery of this expenditure is unlikely, the amount capitalized is written off in the statement of income in the period
when the new information becomes available.
Critical Estimates and Assumptions in Applying
Accounting Policies
Significant assumptions about the future and
other major sources of estimation uncertainty as at the end of the reporting period that have a significant risk of resulting in
a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of the Company’s assets and liabilities are as follows:
Impairment
At the end of each reporting period, the Company
assesses whether any indication of impairment exist. Where an indicator of impairment exists, an estimate of the recoverable amount
is made. Determining the recoverable amount requires the use of estimates and assumptions such as long-term commodity prices, discount
rates, future capital requirements, exploration potential and operating performance. Changes in circumstances may affect these
estimates and the recoverable amount.
Fair value for mineral properties is generally
determined as the present value of estimated future cash flows arising from the continued use of the assets, which includes estimates
such as the cost of future expansion plans and eventual disposal, using assumptions that an independent market participant would
take into account. Cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market
assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset.
Claude Resources Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
For the Periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
Unaudited, in Thousands of Canadian Dollars, except share data
or as otherwise noted
Inventories
Net realizable value tests are performed at
each reporting date and represent the estimated future sales price of the product the Company expects to realize when the product
is processed and sold, less estimated costs to complete production and bring the product to sale.
Stockpiles are measured by estimating the number
of tonnes added and removed from the stockpile, the number of contained gold ounces is based on assay data, and the estimated recovery
percentage is based on the expected processing method. Stockpile tonnages are verified by periodic surveys.
Mine Operating Costs
When determining mine operating costs recognized
in the Consolidated Statements of Income, the Company makes estimates of quantities of ore within stockpiles and of quantities
in-circuit and the recoverable gold in this material to determine the average costs of finished goods sold during the period. Changes
in these estimates can result in a change in mine operating costs of future periods and carrying amounts of inventories.
Ore Reserve and Resource Estimates
Ore reserves are estimates of the amount of
ore that can be economically extracted from the Company’s mining properties. Estimating the quantities and grades of the
reserves and resources requires the size, shape and depth of the ore bodies to be determined by analyzing geological data such
as the logging and assaying of drill samples. This process may require complex and difficult geological judgments and calculations
to interpret the data. The estimation of recoverable reserves is based upon factors such as estimates of foreign exchange rates,
commodity prices, future capital requirements and production costs along with geological assumptions and judgments made in estimating
the size and grade of the ore body.
Because the economic assumptions used to estimate
the gold mineral reserves and resources change from year to year, and because additional geological data is generated during the
course of operations, estimates of the mineral reserves and resources may change from year to year. Changes in the reserve or resource
estimates may impact upon the carrying value of exploration and evaluation assets, mine properties, property, plant and equipment,
decommissioning and reclamation, recognition of deferred tax balances and depreciation and amortization charges.
At the end of each financial year, the Company
updates its estimate of proven and probable gold mineral reserves and resources. Depreciation of the Company’s mining assets,
included within the Mineral properties line item on the Statement of Financial Position, is prospectively adjusted, based on these
changes. The Company also monitors the accuracy of the estimate during the periods between annual updates for significant changes
to economic assumptions and geological data that could require an interim update to the estimate.
Fair value measurement
The Company measures financial instruments,
such as derivatives, at fair value each balance sheet date. The fair values of financial instruments measured at amortized cost
are disclosed in Note 22. Also, from time to time, the fair values of non-financial assets and liabilities are required to be determined,
e.g., when the entity acquires a business, or where an entity measures the recoverable amount of an asset or cash-generating unit
(CGU) at fair value less costs of disposal.
Fair value is the price that would be received
to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
The fair value of an asset or a liability is
measured using the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, assuming that market participants
act in their economic best interest. A fair value measurement of a non-financial asset takes into account a market participant's
ability to generate economic benefits by using the asset in its highest and best use or by selling it to another market participant
that would use the asset in its highest and best use.
The Company uses valuation techniques that
are appropriate in the circumstances and for which sufficient data are available to measure fair value, maximizing the use of relevant
observable inputs and minimizing the use of unobservable inputs. Changes in estimates and assumptions about these inputs could
affect the reported fair value.
Claude Resources Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
For the Periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
Unaudited, in Thousands of Canadian Dollars, except share data
or as otherwise noted
Taxation
Estimation of deferred taxes includes judgments
based on expected performance of the Company. Various factors are considered to assess taxes, including past operating results,
operational plans, expiration of tax losses and tax pools carried forward and tax planning strategies.
Decommissioning and Reclamation
The Company’s mining and exploration
activities are subject to various environmental laws and regulations. The Company estimates environmental obligations based on
the current legal and constructive requirements. The Company provides for the closure, reclamation and decommissioning of its operating
and development sites based on the estimated future costs using information available at the reporting date. Provision is made,
based on net present values, for decommissioning and land restoration costs as soon as the obligation arises.
Additional Accounting Judgments, Estimates
and Assumptions
In addition to the above disclosure on estimates
and judgments, the Company has disclosed additional information relating to significant estimates and judgments recognized in the
consolidated financial statements throughout the following notes:
Note 5 |
Investments |
Note 7 |
Decommissioning and Reclamation |
Note 9 |
Net Royalty Obligation |
Note 10 |
Share-based Compensation |
Note 12 |
Financial Instruments |
| 3. | Significant Accounting
Policies: |
These condensed consolidated interim financial
statements are prepared using accounting policies consistent with the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements
and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2014. The accounting policies utilized by Management for the Company and its
wholly-owned subsidiaries have been applied consistently to all periods presented in these condensed consolidated interim financial
statements, unless otherwise indicated.
Future Changes in Accounting Policies
These are the changes that the Company reasonably
expects will have an impact on its disclosures, financial position or performance when applied at a future date. The Company intends
to adopt these standards, if applicable, when they become effective.
Financial Instruments
IFRS 9, Financial Instruments (“IFRS
9”), was issued by the IASB on November 12, 2009 and will replace IAS 39, Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement
(“IAS 39”). IFRS 9 uses a single approach to determine whether a financial asset is measured at amortized cost
or fair value, replacing the multiple rules in IAS 39. The approach in IFRS 9 is based on how an entity manages its financial instruments
in the context of its business model and the contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial assets. The new standard also
requires a single impairment method to be used, replacing the multiple impairment methods in IAS 39. IFRS 9 is effective for annual
periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 (tentative). The Company is currently evaluating the impact of IFRS 9 on its financial
statements, if any.
Revenue
IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers
(“IFRS 15”), was issued by the IASB in May 2014, is effective for periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017
and is to be applied retrospectively. IFRS 15 clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers. The
Company intends to adopt IFRS 15 in its financial statements for the annual period beginning January 1, 2017. The Company is currently
evaluating the impact of IFRS 15 on its financial statements, if any.
Claude Resources Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
For the Periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
Unaudited, in Thousands of Canadian Dollars, except share data
or as otherwise noted
| 5. | Short-term Investments: |
Available-for-sale Investments
| |
MAR 31 | |
DEC 31 |
| |
2015 | |
2014 |
| |
| |
|
Available-for-sale securities, beginning of year | |
$ | 1,177 | | |
$ | 143 | |
Acquisition of available-for-sale securities | |
| - | | |
| 2,444 | |
Disposition of available-for-sale securities | |
| - | | |
| (1,567 | ) |
Unrealized (loss) gain on available-for-sale securities | |
| (142 | ) | |
| 157 | |
Available-for-sale securities, end of period | |
$ | 1,035 | | |
$ | 1,177 | |
At March 31, 2015, the Company reviewed its
portfolio of available-for-sale securities in order to assess whether there was objective evidence of impairment. Factors considered
in the Company’s assessment included the length of time and extent to which fair value was below cost and current conditions
specific to the investment. Utilizing these factors, the Company determined that the Company’s available-for-sale securities
were not impaired in value.
By holding these available-for-sale securities,
the Company is exposed to various risk factors including market price risk and liquidity risk (Note 12).
Details of the Company’s inventories are as follows:
| |
MAR 31 | |
DEC 31 |
| |
2015 | |
2014 |
| |
| |
|
Gold bullion and in-circuit (1) (2) | |
$ | 4,961 | | |
$ | 2,743 | |
Stockpiled ore (1) (2) | |
| 1,777 | | |
| 1,101 | |
Materials and supplies (3) | |
| 24,646 | | |
| 16,474 | |
Inventories | |
$ | 31,384 | | |
$ | 20,318 | |
| (1) | For the period ended March 31, 2015, depreciation and depletion of $1.9 million is included in
the above noted balances (December 31, 2014 - $1.2 million). |
| (2) | For the period ended March 31, 2015, there was no write-down of gold inventory to net realizable
value (December 31, 2014 – $0.4 million). |
| (3) | For the period ended March 31, 2015, there was no write-down of materials and supplies inventory
(December 31, 2014 - $0.1 million). |
Write-downs and reversals, if any, are included in production costs.
| 7. | Decommissioning and Reclamation: |
The Company’s decommissioning and reclamation
costs consists of reclamation and closure costs. Mineral property obligations were determined using discount rates ranging from
1.36 to 2.46 percent. Expected undiscounted payments of future obligations are $7.4 million over the next 4 to 10 years. During
2015, an accretion expense of $0.03 million has been charged (March 31, 2014 - $0.04 million), augmented by revisions made to the
decommissioning and reclamation costs, resulting in an increase in the overall carrying amount of the provision. Changes to the
provision during the period ended March 31, 2015 are as follows:
Claude Resources Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
For the Periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
Unaudited, in Thousands of Canadian Dollars, except share data
or as otherwise noted
| |
MAR 31 | |
DEC 31 |
| |
2015 | |
2014 |
| |
| |
|
Decommissioning and reclamation provision, beginning of year | |
$ | 6,798 | | |
$ | 6,447 | |
Accretion | |
| 29 | | |
| 148 | |
Revisions due to change in estimates and discount rate | |
| 101 | | |
| 203 | |
Decommissioning and reclamation provision, end of period | |
$ | 6,928 | | |
$ | 6,798 | |
As required by regulatory authorities, the
Company has provided letters of credit as security for reclamation related to its properties in the amount of $2.1 million (December
31, 2014 - $2.1 million). As security for these letters of credit, the Company has provided investment certificates in the amount
of $2.1 million (December 31, 2014 - $2.1 million).
As filed with the Government of Saskatchewan’s
Ministry of Environment, the Company estimated in its Mine Closure Plan the closure costs at the cessation of mining at its Seabee
Mine at $6.3 million. Actual costs of completing the reclamation of the mine site may be higher than those estimated. The Company
has issued letters of credit in favor of the Ministry of Environment in the amount of $2.1 million in support of its obligations.
The letters of credit are secured by investment certificates. The Company has received approval to incrementally fund its remaining
closure cost obligations over the next four years as follows: 2015 - $0.5 million; 2016 - $1.0 million; 2017 - $1.0 million; and
2018 - $1.5 million.
This note provides information about the contractual
terms of the Company’s interest-bearing loans and borrowings, which are measured at amortized cost. For more information
about the Company’s exposure to interest rate and liquidity risk, see Note 12.
(a) Term Loan
Principal payments of $0.3 million on the Company’s
term loan (“Term Loan”) with Crown Capital Partnership Inc. (“CCP”) are payable monthly. Interest is fixed
at 10 percent, compounds monthly and is payable monthly. The maturity date of the Term Loan is 60 months from closing (April 2018),
at which time a $10.6 million principal payment will be due.
| |
MAR 31 | |
DEC 31 |
| |
2015 | |
2014 |
| |
| |
|
Non-current liabilities | |
| | | |
| | |
Term loan (amortized cost) | |
$ | 20,770 | | |
$ | 21,581 | |
Less current portion | |
| (3,600 | ) | |
| (3,600 | ) |
| |
$ | 17,170 | | |
$ | 17,981 | |
The Company incurred $1.6 million of closing
costs associated with the completion of this Term Loan. These costs reduce the carrying value of the Term Loan on the Statement
of Financial Position and are being amortized using the effective interest rate method at an effect rate of approximately 12 percent
over the five year period of the Term Loan. For the period ended March 31, 2015, amortization of debt issue costs was $0.1 million
(December 31, 2014 - $0.4 million).
| |
Mar 31 | |
Dec 31 |
| |
2015 | |
2014 |
| |
| |
|
Term loan, amortized cost | |
$ | 20,770 | | |
$ | 21,581 | |
Add: Remaining closing costs to be amortized | |
| 930 | | |
| 1,019 | |
Term loan, principal balance owing | |
$ | 21,700 | | |
$ | 22,600 | |
The Term Loan is subordinate to all of the
Company’s other short-term and long-term Loans and borrowings and contains early retraction and redemption provisions. The
Company has the right to prepay the Term Loan subject to a prepayment fee (calculated on the amount being prepaid) of:
Claude Resources Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
For the Periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
Unaudited, in Thousands of Canadian Dollars, except share data
or as otherwise noted
Months Following Closing * | |
Prepayment Fee |
Months 13 – 24 | |
| 2 | % |
Months 25 – 36 | |
| 1 | % |
Months 37 – 60 | |
| 0 | % |
* The Term Loan with CCP closed in April 2013.
(b) Line of Credit
The Company has access up to an $8.5 million
operating line of credit which bears interest at prime plus 5.0 percent; the prime rate at March 31, 2015 was 2.85 percent. At
March 31, 2015, this operating line of credit was undrawn. These funds are available for general corporate purposes. At March 31,
2015, the Company was bound by and met all covenants on this credit facility.
| 9. | Net Royalty Obligation: |
(a) Royalty Agreements
During each of 2005, 2006 and 2007, the Company
entered into separate Royalty Agreements (“Agreements”) whereby it sold a basic royalty on gold production at its Seabee
Gold Operation. The Company received cash consideration consisting of royalty income, indemnity fee income and interest income.
Under the terms of the Agreements, the Company
is required to make royalty payments at fixed amounts per ounce of gold produced; these amounts vary over the term of the respective
Agreements. A portion of the cash received at the inception of the respective agreements was placed with a financial institution;
in return, the Company received a promissory note which is classified as restricted for accounting purposes. The Company utilizes
interest earned from the restricted promissory notes and, if necessary, a portion of the principal to fund the basic royalty payments
pursuant to each agreement. Over the life of the royalty agreements, it is expected that interest earned and principal from the
restricted promissory notes will be sufficient to fund the expected basic royalty payments.
The Company has the legal right of offset and
the intention to settle on a net basis. As such, the Company has presented these transactions on a net basis on the Statements
of Financial Position.
| |
Note | |
2005 Agreement | |
2006 Agreement | |
2007 Agreement | |
Total |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Restricted Promissory Notes | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Principal Balance (1) | |
(b)(d) | |
| - | | |
| 35,490 | | |
| 25,986 | | |
| 61,476 | |
Interest receivable (1) | |
| |
| - | | |
| 300 | | |
| 219 | | |
| 519 | |
Interest Rate | |
| |
| - | | |
| 7 percent | | |
| 7 percent | | |
| | |
Maturity | |
(d) | |
| FEB 15, 2015 | | |
| FEB 15, 2016 | | |
| FEB 15, 2017 | | |
| | |
| |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Royalty Payments | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Royalty Rate per ounce of gold produced (2) | |
| |
| - | | |
| $88.95 to $198.95 | | |
| $48.64 to $147.05 | | |
| | |
Royalty payable (current) (1) | |
(b)(d) | |
| - | | |
| 297 | | |
| 216 | | |
| 513 | |
Royalty obligation payable (current) (1) | |
(b)(d) | |
| - | | |
| 35,505 | | |
| - | | |
| 35,505 | |
Royalty obligation payable (long-term) (1) | |
(b)(d) | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 26,053 | | |
| 26,053 | |
| |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Net Profit Interest | |
(c) | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
| |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Applicable years (3) | |
| |
| 2015 | | |
| 2015-2016 | | |
| 2015-2017 | | |
| | |
Percent | |
| |
| 1.00, 2.00 or 3.00 | | |
| 3.75, 4.00 or 4.25 | | |
| 3.50, 3.70 or 3.90 | | |
| | |
Price of gold thresholds | |
| |
| $875, $1,075 or $1,275 | | |
| $975, $1,175 or $1,375 | | |
| $1,250, $1,500 or $1,675 | | |
| | |
Claude Resources Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
For the Periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
Unaudited, in Thousands of Canadian Dollars, except share data
or as otherwise noted
| (2) | Over the remaining life of the respective agreements. |
| (3) | The NPI pursuant to the 2005 Royalty Agreement expires on December 31, 2015. |
(b) Net Royalty Obligation
The following schedule outlines the different
components of the transaction that are presented net on the Company’s consolidated Statements of Financial Position:
| |
MAR 31 | |
DEC 31 |
| |
2015 | |
2014 |
| |
| |
|
Current portion | |
| | | |
| | |
Assets | |
| | | |
| | |
Interest receivable on Restricted promissory notes | |
$ | 519 | | |
$ | 3,965 | |
Restricted promissory note (2005 agreement) | |
| - | | |
| 14,679 | |
Restricted promissory note (2006 agreement) | |
| 35,490 | | |
| - | |
| |
| 36,009 | | |
| 18,644 | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Liabilities | |
| | | |
| | |
Current portion of deferred revenue | |
| 872 | | |
| 942 | |
Interest payable on royalty obligations | |
| 513 | | |
| 4,435 | |
Royalty obligation (2005 agreement) | |
| - | | |
| 14,179 | |
Royalty obligation (2006 agreement) | |
| 35,505 | | |
| - | |
| |
| 36,890 | | |
| 19,556 | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Net royalty obligation | |
$ | 881 | | |
$ | 912 | |
| |
MAR 31 | |
DEC 31 |
| |
2015 | |
2014 |
| |
| |
|
Long-term portion | |
| | | |
| | |
Assets | |
| | | |
| | |
Restricted promissory note (2006 agreement) | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 36,099 | |
Restricted promissory note (2007 agreement) | |
| 25,986 | | |
| 26,305 | |
| |
| 25,986 | | |
| 62,404 | |
Liabilities | |
| | | |
| | |
Deferred revenue | |
| 360 | | |
| 531 | |
Royalty obligation (2006 agreement) | |
| - | | |
| 36,129 | |
Royalty obligation (2007 agreement) | |
| 26,053 | | |
| 26,398 | |
| |
| 26,413 | | |
| 63,058 | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Net royalty obligation | |
$ | 427 | | |
$ | 654 | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Total net royalty obligation | |
$ | 1,308 | | |
$ | 1,566 | |
Claude Resources Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
For the Periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
Unaudited, in Thousands of Canadian Dollars, except share data
or as otherwise noted
The interest income and the indemnity fees
received by the Company are being amortized into income over the prepayment period and the life of the respective agreements. The
interest income and the indemnity fees are netted against interest expense and are reflected in “Financing expense”
on the consolidated statement of income.
(c) NPI Payment
In addition to the royalty, the Company granted
a net profit interest (“NPI”) of varying percentages, payable only if gold prices exceed a pre-determined threshold.
Prior to any NPI payment, the Company is entitled to first recover the NPI expenditures (including capital expenditures), working
capital, operating losses, interest charges and asset retirement obligations relating to the production of ore at the Seabee Operation.
These expenditures are calculated on a cumulative basis from the commencement of the individual agreements. At March 31, 2015,
the cumulative carry forward amounts remained in a deficiency position under each of the agreements and no payments are expected
during 2015 or 2016.
(d) Call and Put
Under certain circumstances, a 100 percent
owned subsidiary of Claude has the right to purchase (“Call”) the equity of the holder of the royalties or right to
receive the royalties at an amount no greater than the fair market value thereof at the time of the Call. The Call price will be
paid from the balance owing to the Company under the promissory notes. Under certain circumstances, the purchaser of the royalties
will have the right to sell (“Put”) their interest in the royalty to the Company at an amount no greater than the fair
market value thereof at the time of the Put. However, such right is subject to the subsidiary of Claude’s pre-emptive right
to exercise the Call in advance of any Put being exercised and completed.
During the period ended March 31, 2015, the
Company’s 100 percent owned subsidiary exercised its call right to purchase the equity of the holder of the royalty pursuant
to the 2005 Red Mile Royalty Agreement. The restricted promissory note pursuant to the 2005 Agreement was sufficient to satisfy
the call price. At March 31, 2015, only the 2006 and 2007 Royalty Agreements remain.
AUTHORIZED
The authorized share capital of the Company
consists of an unlimited number of common shares and two classes of unlimited preferred shares issuable in series.
The first preferred shares are issuable in
series and rank ahead of the second preferred shares and the common shares in respect of dividend payment, dissolution or any other
distribution of assets. The other rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to each series of the first preferred
shares are fixed by the Board of Directors at the time of creation of such series.
The second preferred shares are issuable in
series and rank ahead of the common shares in respect of dividend payment, dissolution or any other distribution of assets. The
other rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to each series of the second preferred shares are fixed by the Board
of Directors at the time of creation of such series.
The common shares of the Company are entitled
to vote at all meetings of the shareholders and, upon dissolution or any other distribution of assets, to receive such assets of
the Company as are distributable to the holders of the common shares.
The Company has the following equity-settled plans:
| (a) | Employee Share Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) |
The ESPP was established to encourage employees
to purchase the Company’s common shares. Under the plan, eligible employees may contribute up to five percent of their annual
salary to purchase common shares of Claude; in addition, the Company shall contribute common shares in an amount equal to 50 percent
of the employee’s contribution. Shares of the Company are issued to employees based on a weighted average market price over
a specific period.
During the first quarter of 2015, the Company
issued 6,105,093 common shares (Q1 2014 – 7,799,148) pursuant to this plan. The maximum number of common shares of the Company
available for issue under this ESPP is five percent of the Company’s common shares outstanding. Distribution of common
shares pursuant to the Company’s ESPP occurs annually in the first quarter subsequent to the year of participation.
Claude Resources Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
For the Periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
Unaudited, in Thousands of Canadian Dollars, except share data
or as otherwise noted
The weighted average fair value of ESPP options
granted during 2015 was $0.14 (Q1 2014 - $0.06) and, for accounting purposes, was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing
model with assumptions of a 0.67 year weighted average expected option life (Q1 2014 – 1.00 year), a 17 percent expected
forfeiture rate (Q1 2014 – 19 percent), 82 percent volatility (Q1 2014 – 68 percent) and an interest rate of 1.0 percent
(Q1 2014 – 1.0 percent). The expected volatility used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model is based on the historical
volatility of the Company’s shares over the weighted average expected option life.
During the first quarter of 2015, compensation
expense recognized in respect of the ESPP was $0.1 million (Q1 2014 - $0.1 million). This compensation expense has been included
in General and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
The Company has established a stock option
plan under which common share purchase options may be granted to directors, officers and key employees. The maximum number of common
shares available for option under the stock option plan is nine percent of the Company’s common shares outstanding. Options
granted have an exercise price of the Company’s prior day’s closing price quoted on the TSX for the common shares of
Claude. All options are settled by physical delivery of shares. Vesting periods of options granted under the Company’s stock
option plan vary on a grant by grant basis, at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors. Grants to Employees have
a term to expiry of 7 to 10 years and typically have a vesting term of 3 to 5 years. Grants to Directors have a term to expiry
of 7 to 10 years and vest immediately.
Options outstanding under this plan at March
31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and their weighted average exercise prices are as follows:
| |
| |
Weighted | |
| |
Weighted |
| |
MAR 31 | |
Average | |
DEC 31 | |
Average |
| |
2015 | |
Exercise | |
2014 | |
Exercise |
| |
Options | |
Price | |
Options | |
Price |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Beginning of year | |
| 8,497,937 | | |
$ | 1.07 | | |
| 7,936,361 | | |
$ | 1.19 | |
Options granted | |
| 655,374 | | |
| 0.33 | | |
| 1,096,576 | | |
| 0.21 | |
Options exercised | |
| (100,000 | ) | |
| 0.47 | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
Options forfeited | |
| (59,667 | ) | |
| 1.67 | | |
| (475,000 | ) | |
| 1.05 | |
Options expired | |
| (30,000 | ) | |
| 1.25 | | |
| (60,000 | ) | |
| 1.57 | |
Outstanding, end of period | |
| 8,963,644 | | |
$ | 1.02 | | |
| 8,497,937 | | |
$ | 1.07 | |
The weighted average market share price at
the date of exercise for share options exercised during the period ended March 31, 2015 was $0.61. There were no stock options
exercised during 2014.
For director and employee options outstanding
at March 31, 2015, the range of exercise prices, the weighted average exercise price and the weighted average remaining contractual
life are as follows:
| |
Options Outstanding | |
Options Exercisable (Vested) |
Option Price Per Share | |
Quantity | |
Weighted Average Remaining Life | |
Weighted Average Exercise Price | |
Quantity | |
Weighted Average Remaining Life | |
Weighted Average Exercise Price |
| $0.17 - $0.50 | | |
| 3,435,715 | | |
| 5.76 | | |
$ | 0.35 | | |
| 1,392,740 | | |
| 5.92 | | |
$ | 0.39 | |
| $0.51 - $1.00 | | |
| 973,178 | | |
| 3.92 | | |
| 0.75 | | |
| 973,178 | | |
| 3.92 | | |
| 0.75 | |
| $1.01 - $1.50 | | |
| 2,283,006 | | |
| 3.62 | | |
| 1.20 | | |
| 2,283,006 | | |
| 3.62 | | |
| 1.20 | |
| $1.51 - $2.00 | | |
| 1,795,000 | | |
| 4.85 | | |
| 1.87 | | |
| 1,608,000 | | |
| 4.70 | | |
| 1.86 | |
| $2.01 - $2.38 | | |
| 476,745 | | |
| 5.94 | | |
| 2.32 | | |
| 471,745 | | |
| 5.94 | | |
| 2.32 | |
| | | |
| 8,963,644 | | |
| 4.84 | | |
$ | 1.02 | | |
| 6,728,669 | | |
| 4.56 | | |
$ | 1.20 | |
Claude Resources Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
For the Periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
Unaudited, in Thousands of Canadian Dollars, except share data
or as otherwise noted
The foregoing options have expiry dates ranging
from June 1, 2015 to February 19, 2022.
The weighted average fair value of stock options
granted during 2014 was $0.21 and was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with assumptions of a 5.8 year weighted
average expected option life, a 7.5 percent expected forfeiture rate, 65.0 percent volatility and an interest rate 0.9 percent.
There were no options granted during the first quarter of 2014.
For the first quarter of 2015, the compensation
expense recognized in respect of stock options was $0.3 million (Q1 2014 - $0.1 million). This compensation expense has been included
in General and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income (loss).
The expected volatility used in the Black-Scholes
option pricing model is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s shares over the weighted average expected option
life.
The Company has the following cash-settled plans:
| (c) | Deferred Share Unit Plan |
The Company offers a Deferred Share Unit (“DSU”)
plan to non-employee Directors. A DSU is a notional unit that reflects the market value of a single common share of Claude. A portion
of each Director’s annual retainer is paid in DSUs. Each DSU fully vests upon award and are redeemable for cash upon a director
leaving the Company’s Board of Directors. The redemption amount will be based upon the weighted average of the closing prices
of the common shares of Claude on the TSX for the last 20 trading days prior to the redemption date multiplied by the number of
DSUs held by the Director.
During the first quarter of 2015, the Company
granted 605,374 DSUs to participating Directors (Q1 2014 – nil) and settled 677,414 DSUs. At March 31, 2015, total DSUs held
by participating Directors was 3,230,945 (December 31, 2014 – 3,302,985).
Compensation expense recognized in respect
of DSUs during the first quarter of 2015 was $1.1 million (Q1 2014 - $0.8 million). This compensation expense has been included
in General and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
| (d) | Restricted Share Unit Plan |
The Company offers a Restricted Share Unit
(“RSU”) plan to eligible participants whereby it may provide each plan participant an annual grant of RSUs in an amount
determined by the Company’s Board of Directors. An RSU is a notional unit that reflects the market value of a single common
share of Claude that entitles the participant to a cash payment for all fully vested units. RSUs vest annually over a three-year
period. The final value of the RSUs will be based upon the weighted average of the closing prices of the common shares of Claude
on the TSX for the last 20 trading days prior to the redemption date multiplied by the number of RSUs held by participants.
For RSUs, the Company records compensation
expense with an offsetting credit to accounts payable to reflect the estimated fair value of RSUs granted to participants. There
were no RSUs granted to participants in the Company’s RSU plan during the first quarter of 2015 or during the first quarter
of 2014. At March 31, 2015, total RSUs held by plan participants was 778,261.
During the first quarter of 2015, compensation
expense recognized in respect of RSUs $0.2 million (Q1 2014 - $0.04 million). This compensation expense has been included in General
and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Claude Resources Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
For the Periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
Unaudited, in Thousands of Canadian Dollars, except share data
or as otherwise noted
| 11. | Earnings (Loss) Per Share: |
Earnings (loss) per share for the three months
ended March 31, 2015 was calculated based on the following:
Basic:
| |
MAR 31 | |
MAR 31 |
| |
2015 | |
2014 |
| |
| |
|
Net profit (loss) attributable to common Shareholders | |
$ | 5,122 | | |
$ | (5,111) | |
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (basic) | |
| 192,928 | | |
| 182,029 | |
Basic net profit (loss) per share | |
$ | 0.03 | | |
$ | (0.03) | |
Diluted:
| |
MAR 31 | |
DEC 31 |
| |
2015 | |
2014 |
| |
| |
|
Net profit (loss) attributable to common Shareholders | |
$ | 5,122 | | |
$ | (5,111) | |
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding | |
| 192,928 | | |
| 182,029 | |
Dilutive effect of stock options | |
| 871 | | |
| - | |
Weighted average number of common Shares outstanding (diluted) | |
| 193,799 | | |
| 182,029 | |
Diluted net profit (loss) per share | |
$ | 0.03 | | |
$ | (0.03) | |
Excluded from the computation of diluted earnings
per share for the period ended March 31, 2015 were options outstanding on 7.0 million common shares with an average exercise price
greater than the average market price of the Company’s common shares.
For the period ended March 31, 2014, there
was no effect of applying the treasury-stock method to the weighted average number of shares outstanding as all of the options
and warrants were anti-dilutive.
| 12. | Financial Instruments: |
The Company is exposed in varying degrees to
a variety of financial instrument related risks by virtue of its activities. The overall financial risk management program focuses
on preservation of capital and protecting current and future Company assets and cash flows by reducing exposure to risks posed
by the uncertainties and volatilities of financial markets.
The Company’s Board of Directors has
responsibility to ensure that an adequate financial risk management policy is established and to approve the policy.
The Company’s Audit Committee oversees
Management’s compliance with the Company’s financial risk management policy, approves financial risk management programs,
and receives and reviews reports on management compliance with the policy.
The types of risk exposures and the way
in which such exposures are managed are as follows:
Credit Risk – The Company’s
credit risk is primarily attributable to its liquid financial assets including cash and cash equivalents, receivables, and commodity
and currency instruments. The Company limits exposure to credit risk on liquid financial assets through maintaining its cash and
cash equivalents and reclamation deposits with high-credit quality financial institutions. Sales of precious metals are to entities
considered to be credit worthy, as evaluated through the Company’s risk management program, which includes an evaluation
of new and existing customers and quarterly monitoring.
Liquidity Risk – The Company
ensures that there is sufficient capital in order to meet short term business requirements, after taking into account cash flows
from operations and the Company’s holdings of cash and cash equivalents. The Company believes operating cash flows will be
sufficient to fund the ongoing capital improvements at the Seabee properties for the next twelve months. The Company’s cash
is invested in business accounts with quality financial institutions and is available on demand.
Claude Resources Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
For the Periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
Unaudited, in Thousands of Canadian Dollars, except share data
or as otherwise noted
Market Risk – Market risk
is the potential for loss from adverse changes in the market value of financial instruments. The level of market risk that the
Company is exposed to varies depending on the composition of its derivative instrument portfolio, as well as current and expected
market conditions. The significant market risk exposures to which the Company is exposed are Foreign exchange risk, Commodity price
and Interest rate risk. These are discussed further below:
Foreign exchange risk –
The results of the Company’s operations are subject to currency risks. The Company’s revenues from the production and
sale of gold are denominated in U.S. dollars. However, the Company’s operating expenses are primarily incurred in Canadian
dollars and its liabilities are primarily denominated in Canadian dollars. The Company is not exposed to material foreign exchange
risk on its financial instruments.
For a $0.01 movement in the US$/CDN$ exchange
rate, based on assumptions comparable to year to date 2015 actuals, earnings and cash flow will have a corresponding movement of
$1.3 million, or $0.01 per share.
Interest rate risk – In
respect to the Company’s financial assets, the interest rate risk mainly arises from the interest rate impact on our cash
and cash equivalents, reclamation deposits and debt. In respect to financial liabilities, the Company’s line of credit carries
a floating interest rate with the balance of Company debt at fixed interest rates. When possible, the Company will fix its interest
costs to avoid variations in cash flows. Due to the greater proportion of fixed rate debt, a one percent change in interest rates
would not materially impact earnings or cash flows.
Commodity price risk –
The value of the Company’s mineral resources is related to the price of gold and the outlook for this mineral. Gold and precious
metal prices historically have fluctuated widely and are affected by numerous factors outside of the Company’s control, including,
but not limited to, industrial and retail demand, central bank lending, forward sales by producers and speculators, levels of worldwide
production, short-term changes in supply and demand because of speculative hedging activities and certain other factors related
specifically to gold. The profitability of the Company’s operations is highly correlated to the market price of gold. If
the gold price declines below the cost of production at the Company’s operations, for a prolonged period of time, it may
not be economically feasible to continue production. The Company is not exposed to material commodity price risk on its financial
instruments.
For a U.S. $10 movement in gold price per ounce,
based on assumptions comparable to year to date 2015 actuals, earnings and cash flow will have a corresponding movement of CDN
$0.9 million, or $0.00 per share.
At March 31, 2015, the Company had derivative
instruments outstanding in the form of forward sales contracts relating to 2015 production totaling 15,500 ounces. The market value
loss inherent in these contracts at March 31, 2015 was $0.8 million. At March 31, 2014, the Company had derivative instruments
outstanding in the form of forward sales contracts relating to 2014 production totaling 15,000 ounces. The market value gain inherent
in these contracts at March 31, 2014 was $0.2 million.
Fair Value - The Company
has various financial instruments comprised of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, short and long-term investments, restricted
promissory notes, reclamation deposits, demand loans, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, long-term debt, and royalty obligations.
Fair value is the price that would be received
to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
For disclosure purposes, all financial instruments measured at fair value are categorized into one of three hierarchy levels, described
below. The fair value hierarchy establishes three levels to classify the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.
Each level is based on the transparency of the inputs used to measure the fair values of assets and liabilities:
Level 1 – Values based
on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 – Values based
on quoted prices in markets that are not active or model inputs that are observable either directly (for example, interest rate
and yield curves observable at commonly quoted intervals, forward pricing curves used to value currency and commodity contracts
and volatility measurement used to value option contracts) or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
Claude Resources Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
For the Periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
Unaudited, in Thousands of Canadian Dollars, except share data
or as otherwise noted
Level 3 – Values based
on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.
The fair values of financial assets and
liabilities, together with the carrying amounts shown in the Statement of Financial Position, are as follows:
| |
MAR 31 | |
DEC 31 |
| |
2015 | |
2014 |
| |
Carrying Value | |
Estimated Fair Value | |
Carrying Value | |
Estimated Fair Value |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Loans and receivables | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Cash and cash equivalents (1) | |
$ | 15,363 | | |
$ | 15,363 | | |
$ | 11,172 | | |
$ | 11,172 | |
Accounts receivable (2) | |
| 453 | | |
| 453 | | |
| 2,710 | | |
| 2,710 | |
Available-for-sale financial assets | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Investments (1) | |
| 1,035 | | |
| 1,035 | | |
| 1,177 | | |
| 1,177 | |
Held-to-maturity | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Deposits for reclamation costs | |
| 2,079 | | |
| 2,079 | | |
| 2,079 | | |
| 2,079 | |
Other financial assets | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Derivative instruments (3) | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 535 | | |
| 535 | |
Other financial liabilities | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Derivative instruments (3) | |
| 827 | | |
| 827 | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
Accounts payable | |
| 18,785 | | |
| 18,785 | | |
| 8,142 | | |
| 8,142 | |
Net royalty obligations | |
| 1,308 | | |
| 1,308 | | |
| 1,566 | | |
| 1,566 | |
Term loan | |
| 20,770 | | |
| 21,700 | | |
| 21,581 | | |
| 22,600 | |
| (1) | Based on quoted market prices – Level 1. |
| (2) | At March 31, 2015, there were no receivables that were past due or considered impaired. |
| (3) | Based on models with observable inputs – Level 2. |
Valuation Techniques:
Investments
The fair value of Investments is determined based on the closing
bid price of each security at the balance sheet date. The closing bid price is a quoted market price obtained from the exchange
that is the principal active market for the particular security, and therefore Investments are classified within Level 1 of the
fair value hierarchy.
Term Loan
The Company’s Term Loan is recorded at amortized cost. The
fair value is the principal outstanding on the Term Loan, as the fixed interest rate approximates rates for similar instruments.
The Company’s objective when managing
its capital is to safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern so that it can provide adequate returns to shareholders
and benefits to other stakeholders. The Company defines capital that it manages as the aggregate of its equity attributable to
owners of the Company, which is comprised of issued capital, contributed surplus, accumulated deficit and accumulated other comprehensive
income (loss).
The Company manages the capital structure and
makes adjustments to it in light of changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of the underlying assets and the
Company’s working capital requirements. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Company (upon approval
from its Board of Directors, as required) may issue new shares through private placements, sell assets or incur debt. The Board
of Directors reviews and approves any material transaction out of the ordinary course of business, including proposals on acquisitions,
major investments, as well as annual capital and operating budgets. The Company believes that this approach, given the relative
size of the Company, is reasonable. There were no changes in the Company’s approach to capital management during the period
ended March 31, 2015. The Company is not subject to externally imposed capital requirements.
Claude Resources Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
For the Periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
Unaudited, in Thousands of Canadian Dollars, except share data
or as otherwise noted
The Company utilizes a combination of short-term
and long-term debt and equity to finance its operations and exploration.
| |
| |
| |
MAR 31 | |
DEC 31 |
| |
| |
| |
2015 | |
2014 |
| |
Interest | |
Maturity | |
| |
|
Term loan * | |
| 10.00 | % | |
Apr/2018 | |
$ | 20,770 | | |
$ | 21,581 | |
Shareholders’ equity | |
| | | |
| |
| 135,555 | | |
| 129,425 | |
| |
| | | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Debt to equity | |
| | | |
| |
| 15% | | |
| 17% | |
* Closing costs
associated with the Company’s long-term debt are netted against the principal balance owing, thereby reducing the carrying
value of the Company’s debt on the Statement of Financial Position. Amounts presented in the above table are the amortized
cost of the balances owing (Note 8).
At March 31, 2015, the Company is bound by
and has met all covenants on its credit facilities.
Exhibit 99.2
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis
The following Management’s Discussion and
Analysis (“MD&A”) of the consolidated operating and financial performance of Claude Resources Inc. (“Claude”
or the “Company”) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 with the corresponding period of 2014 is prepared as of
May 6, 2015. This discussion is the responsibility of Management and has been prepared using International Financial Reporting
Standards (“IFRS”), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. This discussion should be read in conjunction
with the Company’s March 31, 2014 condensed consolidated interim financial statements and notes thereto (unaudited) and the
Company’s 2014 audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. The Board of Directors has approved the disclosure
presented herein. All amounts referred to in this discussion are expressed in Canadian dollars, except where otherwise indicated.
Overview
Claude Resources Inc., incorporated pursuant to the
Canada Business Corporations Act, is a gold producer with shares listed on both the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX-CRJ) and OTCQB
marketplace (OTCQB – CLGRF). The Company also engages in the exploration and development of gold Mineral Reserves and Mineral
Resources.
The Company’s revenue generating asset is the
100 percent owned Seabee Gold Operation, located in northern Saskatchewan, which includes 42,500 acres (17,200 hectares) and is
comprised of six mineral leases and extensive surface infrastructure. The Seabee Gold Operation has two operating mines (the Seabee
Mine and Santoy Mine Complex), a central milling facility, camp facilities and various regional exploration targets. Claude also
owns 100 percent of the Amisk Gold Project in northeastern Saskatchewan. The Amisk Gold Project is located 20 kilometres southwest
of Flin Flon, Manitoba and hosts the Amisk Gold Deposit and a large number of gold occurrences and prospects. At 99,800 acres (40,400
hectares), this gold and silver exploration property is one of the largest land positions in the Flin Flon mineral district.
First Quarter 2015 Production And Financial
Highlights
Q1 2015 Highlights |
March 31 |
|
|
|
2015 |
|
2014 |
|
Change |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Data |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tonnes milled |
|
|
|
67,249 |
|
64,370 |
|
4% |
Head grade (grams of gold per tonne) |
|
|
|
10.17 |
|
5.76 |
|
77% |
Recovery |
|
|
|
95.8% |
|
95.1% |
|
1% |
Gold ounces |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Produced |
|
|
|
21,067 |
|
11,344 |
|
86% |
Sold |
|
|
|
17,326 |
|
10,865 |
|
59% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial Data |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
$ |
26,183 |
$ |
15,624 |
|
68% |
Production costs |
|
|
$ |
10,730 |
$ |
10,628 |
|
1% |
Gross profit (loss) |
|
|
$ |
10,618 |
$ |
(655) |
|
1,721% |
Net profit (loss) |
|
|
$ |
5,122 |
$ |
(5,111) |
|
200% |
Earnings (loss) per share (basic and diluted) |
|
|
$ |
0.03 |
$ |
(0.03) |
|
200% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average realized price (CDN$/oz) |
|
|
$ |
1,511 |
$ |
1,438 |
|
5% |
Average realized price (U.S.$/oz) |
|
|
$ |
1,218 |
$ |
1,303 |
|
(7%) |
Cash cost per ounce (CDN$/oz) (1) |
|
|
$ |
675 |
$ |
983 |
|
(31%) |
Q1 2015 Management’s Discussion and Analysis (in thousands of CDN dollars, except as otherwise noted) | Page 2 |
Q1 2015 Highlights |
March 31 |
|
|
|
2015 |
|
2014 |
|
Change |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash cost per ounce (U.S.$/oz) (1) |
|
|
$ |
544 |
$ |
891 |
|
(39%) |
All-in sustaining cost (CDN$/oz) (1) |
|
|
$ |
1,374 |
$ |
1,919 |
|
(28%) |
All-In sustaining costs (U.S.$/oz) (1) |
|
|
$ |
1,107 |
$ |
1,738 |
|
(36%) |
Cash
flow from operations before net changes in non-cash operating working capital (1) |
|
|
$ |
9,268 |
$ |
1,784 |
|
420% |
Cash
flow from operations before net changes in non-cash operating working capital (1) per share |
|
|
$ |
0.05 |
$ |
0.01 |
|
400% |
| · | Record quarterly gold production of 21,067 ounces of gold (surpassing the Seabee Gold Operation’s
previous record of 20,614 ounces achieved in Q3 2014) and an overall trend of 72,707 ounces of gold produced over the last four
quarters. |
| · | Mill head grade of 10.17 grams of gold per tonne with a recovery of 95.8 percent. Higher than budgeted
grades from planned stopes at the L62 and Santoy Gap deposits and productivity improvements contributed to the strong first quarter
performance. |
| · | Santoy Gap Deposit ramp up on pace to achieve 500 tonnes per day. |
| · | Revenue of $26.2 million was 68 percent higher than Q1 2014. |
| · | Net profit of $5.1 million, or $0.03 per share, a $10.2 million improvement from Q1 2014. |
| · | Cash cost per ounce of gold sold (1) of CDN $675 (U.S. $544). |
| · | All-in sustaining cost per ounce of gold sold (1) of CDN $1,374 (U.S. $1,107), a 28
percent decrease. All-in sustaining costs were expected to be higher in the first quarter, as the majority of the Seabee Gold Operation’s
budgeted 2015 expenditures on property, plant and equipment ($5.1 million of the $6.1 million) was incurred in conjunction with
the annual winter road resupply. |
| · | Cash flow from operations before net changes in non-cash operating working capital (2)
$9.3 million, or $0.05 per share. |
| · | Working capital of $24.4 million (December 31, 2014 – $23.9 million). |
| · | Debt reduction of $0.9 million during the first quarter. |
| · | Cash and cash equivalents of $15.4 million and net debt (2) of $6.3 million at March
31, 2015 (December 31, 2014 - $11.4 million). |
Outlook
Corporate Outlook
Claude will continue to:
| i) | Seek improvements in all areas of safety, health and the environment in our operations; |
| ii) | Focus on cost containment, improving margins and sustaining a production profile of over 60,000
ounces of gold per year at the Seabee Gold Operation; |
| iii) | Reduce debt and strengthen its Balance Sheet; and |
| iv) | Sustain or increase Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources at the Seabee Gold Operation through
targeted exploration and development. |
Operating and Financial Outlook
Gold production during 2015 at the Seabee Gold
Operation is estimated to range between 60,000 and 65,000 ounces of gold. Operating costs in 2015 are expected to be lower than
2014 with unit cash costs to range from $785 to $850 per ounce, inclusive of royalties. All-in sustaining costs are expected to
range from $1,175 to $1,275 per ounce. The Santoy Gap deposit is expected to continue to decrease production risk with the addition
of multiple long-hole mining fronts. This Santoy Gap ore will displace low margin ounces and optimize the Company’s mine
plan for improved cash flow. After completing payments relating to the 2015 winter road resupply, the Company expects to build
cash reserves during the remainder of the year with the intention of lowering net debt (2) to zero.
Q1 2015 Management’s Discussion and Analysis (in thousands of CDN dollars, except as otherwise noted) | Page 3 |
Capital Outlook
During 2015, capital expenditures are forecast to be
$19.9 million and will be funded from operating cash flow generated during 2015 and cash and cash equivalents on hand. This 10
percent reduction from 2014 expenditures is due to reduced underground development costs attributable to the transition to the
Alimak mining method at the L62 Deposit and the lower development capital intensity of the Santoy Gap Deposit.
Capital Expenditures (million) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2015
Forecast |
|
2014
Actual |
Capital Development |
|
|
|
|
$ |
13.8 |
$ |
17.0 |
Property, Plant and Equipment |
|
|
|
|
|
6.1 |
|
5.0 |
Total |
|
|
|
|
$ |
19.9 |
$ |
22.0 |
Development expenditures are expected to be prioritized
at Santoy Gap. Property, plant and equipment costs include expenditures on equipment replacement and tailings management facilities.
Exploration, Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources
Outlook
Exploration spending during 2015 is forecast to be
approximately $0.7 million (2014 - $0.2 million). Surface drilling of 4,000 metres and underground drilling of 10,000 metres of
underground drilling will test various priority targets. The underground program is anticipated to ramp-up during the second quarter
and continue during the remainder of the year. Underground drilling will target the near-mine environment of the Seabee Mine which
is very prospective, underexplored and cost effective to test.
During 2015, approximately 65,000 metres (Seabee Mine
– 30,000 metres; Santoy Mine Complex – 35,000 metres) of underground infill and definition drilling will focus on targets
that have the potential to materially impact near-term production, drive resource growth and to positively impact the Company’s
Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources and to optimize mine design at the Santoy Gap. During 2015, one of the key targets will
be to follow-up the result from drill hole JOY-13-692, an exploration intercept from 2013 that graded 18.80 grams per tonne over
13.86 metres (including 30.08 grams per tonne over 7.09 metres).
Mining Operation
Results
Annual Winter Resupply
Access to the Seabee Gold Operation is by fixed wing
aircraft to an airstrip located on the property. Large consumables (including diesel and propane) and items related to the upgrading
of the mining fleet and mine infrastructure are trucked to the site via a 60 kilometre annual winter ice road from Brabant Lake
on Highway 102. The winter ice road is typically in use from January through March. This seasonal trend of purchasing and delivering
inventories to the Seabee Gold Operation results in significant cash outflows during the first quarter of the year.
With cash and cash equivalents of $15.4 million at
March 31, 2015, Management believes that operating cash flows (at current gold prices and forecast production) will be sufficient
to further development opportunities at the Seabee Gold Operation, service all debt (principal and interest) and fund next year’s
Winter Ice Road resupply requirements.
Seabee Gold Operation
At the Seabee Gold Operation, Claude is focused on
improving profit margins and executing its mine plan. Profit margins will be increased by developing deposits of higher grades
and margins (L62, Santoy Gap), with continued focus on control of all areas of inputs costs. The Company is also continuing with
its review of operating processes and procedures to identify and implement efficiencies designed to increase production and lower
operating costs.
Q1 2015 Management’s Discussion and Analysis (in thousands of CDN dollars, except as otherwise noted) | Page 4 |
During the first quarter
of 2015, the Company milled 67,249 tonnes at a grade of 10.17 grams of gold per tonne (Q1 2014 – 64,370 tonnes at a grade
of 5.76 grams of gold per tonne). With mill tonnage and recoveries comparable period over period, the increase in ounces produced
is attributable to a 77 percent increase in grade due to positive reconciliations on grade from planned stopes at both the L62
and Santoy Gap. For the remainder of 2015, the average head grade is expected to be more in-line with mineral reserve grades.
Santoy Mine Complex
The Santoy Gap deposit (part of the Santoy Mine Complex)
is significant within the Seabee Gold Operation in that it contains approximately 2,000 ounces of gold per vertical metre, whereas
the Company has historically mined approximately 1,000 ounces of gold per vertical metre at the Seabee Mine. As such, it is expected
that operations will be able to mine more ounces with less capital development and at lower unit costs in this deposit. This endowment,
in addition to Santoy Gap’s proximity to permitted mine infrastructure, low development cost and near-term production potential,
provides the opportunity to increase production and also increase margins and cash flow.
During the first quarter of 2015, the Santoy Mine Complex
produced 9,982 ounces of gold (Q1 2014 – 3,059 ounces) from the Santoy Gap and Santoy 8 deposits. Period over period, this
result is attributable to a 128 percent increase in grade and a 42 percent increase in tonnes. Production has reconciled above
the Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource on ounces and below it on tonnage. During 2015, the Company plans to move from one mining
front to three, driving increased production and stope availability while reducing production risk. For 2015, ramp-up at the Santoy
Gap deposit is on pace to reach 500 tonnes per day and is forecast to provide approximately 60 percent of the Seabee Gold Operation’s
production tonnage.
Santoy Mine Complex Production Statistics |
March 31 |
|
2015 |
2014 |
Change |
|
|
|
|
|
Tonnes milled |
|
38,897 |
27,334 |
42% |
Tonnes per day |
|
432 |
304 |
42% |
Head grade (grams of gold per tonne) |
|
8.33 |
3.66 |
128% |
Gold produced (ounces) |
|
9,982 |
3,059 |
226% |
During 2014, the Company engaged an engineering firm
to update areas of the Santoy Gap mine plan with a focus on mine design, ventilation and future power requirements. Analysis indicated
the potential to reduce mining dilution and improve grades by reducing the portion of the deposit designed for transverse mining.
These changes in mine design were incorporated into the year-end Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource estimate. Components of the
study will continue to be updated during 2015. Infrastructure upgrades were ongoing during the first quarter of 2015; once completed,
the Company will move forward with development to achieve a full production rate of 600 to 700 tonnes per day. Capital expenditures
required to achieve the future production ramp up are expected to be funded through internal cash flows.
Seabee Mine
During the first quarter of 2015, the Seabee Mine produced
11,085 ounces of gold (Q1 2014 – 8,285 ounces). This increase was attributable to a 74 percent increase in grade offset by
a 23 percent decrease in tonnes milled, attributable to differences in mine sequencing and an increased contribution from the Santoy
Gap deposit period over period. The key drivers of the increase in grade have been increased contribution from the L62 where there
has been a positive reconciliation on grade and ounces offset by fewer tonnes.
Seabee Mine Production Statistics |
March 31 |
|
2015 |
2014 |
Change |
|
|
|
|
|
Tonnes milled |
|
28,352 |
37,036 |
(23%) |
Tonnes per day |
|
315 |
412 |
(24%) |
Q1 2015 Management’s Discussion and Analysis (in thousands of CDN dollars, except as otherwise noted) | Page 5 |
Seabee Mine Production Statistics |
March 31 |
|
2015 |
2014 |
Change |
|
|
|
|
|
Head grade (grams of gold per tonne) |
|
12.70 |
7.31 |
74% |
Gold produced (ounces) |
|
11,085 |
8,285 |
34% |
Capital Projects
Tailings Facility
During 2015, the Company will continue with upgrades
to its tailings facilities to ensure adequate storage capacity and treatment of Mill effluent. When completed, this facility will
be permitted up to 460 metre elevation and will have the capacity to store mill tailings from milling ore from the Seabee Mill
until approximately 2020. The Company is currently in the process of planning tailings capacity expansion beyond 2020. This will
support the extension of Seabee’s mine life and provide additional tailings capacity to process ore from the Santoy Mine
Complex.
Financial
Results of Operations
During the first quarter
of 2015, the Company continued various initiatives intended to improve profitability at the Seabee Gold Operation through a combination
of cost controls and expediting the development of production profiles at the L62 and Santoy Gap deposits. The Company anticipates
that the increasing contribution of the Santoy Gap deposit and continued contribution of ore from the L62 deposit will be positive
catalysts in lowering overall unit operating costs at the Seabee Gold Operation during 2015 and beyond.
Net Profit (Loss)
For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company
recorded net profit of $5.1 million, or $0.03 per share. This represents a $10.2 million improvement from the net loss of $5.1
million, or $0.03 per share, for the same period in 2014.
Revenue
Gold revenue from the Company’s Seabee Gold Operation
for the three months ended March 31, 2015 increased 68 percent to $26.2 million from the $15.6 million reported for the first three
months of 2014. The increase in gold revenue period over period was attributable to a 59 percent increase in gold sales volume
(Q1 2015 – 17,326; Q1 2014 – 10,865 ounces) and a five percent increase in Canadian dollar gold prices realized (Q1
2015 – $1,511 (U.S. $1,218); Q1 2014 – $1,438 (U.S. $1,303)).
Production Costs
For the three months ended March 31, 2015, mine production
costs of $10.7 million (Q1 2014 - $10.6 million) were relatively unchanged period over period. For the first quarter of 2015, total
cash cost per ounce of gold sold (1), inclusive of the Net Smelter Return (“NSR”) Royalty costs, of CDN
$675 (U.S. $544) per ounce of gold decreased from CDN $983 (U.S. $891) during the comparable period of 2014. These results are
attributable to 59 percent more ounces of gold sold period over period, a reflection of the higher grade mined during the quarter.
All-in sustaining costs (1) during the first quarter of 2015 were $23.8 million, or CDN $1,374 (U.S. $1,107) per ounce
of gold sold (Q1 2014 - $20.8 million, or CDN $1,919 (U.S. $1,738) per ounce). All-in sustaining costs were expected to be higher
in the first quarter, as the majority of the Seabee Gold Operation’s budgeted 2015 expenditures on property, plant and equipment
($5.1 million of the $6.1 million) was incurred in conjunction with the annual winter road resupply.
Q1 2015 Management’s Discussion and Analysis (in thousands of CDN dollars, except as otherwise noted) | Page 6 |
Production Royalty
Production at the Seabee Gold Operation is subject
to a three percent NSR Royalty. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, royalties incurred were $1.0 million (Q1 2014 - $0.1
million). Period over period, the increase is attributable to an 86 percent increase in ounces produced and to the NSR Royalty
being in effect for only a portion of the first quarter of 2014.
Depreciation and Depletion
For the three months ended March 31, 2015, depreciation
and depletion of $3.9 million was down 30 percent period over period (Q1 2014 - $5.6 million). This decrease is attributable to
a 17 percent decrease in broken tonnes period over period as well as an increase in the Seabee Gold Operation’s asset base
more than offset by an increase in the Seabee Gold Operation’s reserves, both of which were impacted by bringing Santoy Gap’s
asset base and reserves into the calculation of depletion during the third quarter of 2014.
General and Administrative Expense
General and administrative expense for the first three
months of 2015 was $2.9 million, up 23 percent from the comparable period of 2014. Period over period, this variance is attributable
to increased compensation costs associated with deferred share units, which are revalued quarterly based on a 20 day VWAP of the
Company’s share price.
Corporate General and Administrative Expense |
March 31 |
|
|
|
2015 |
|
2014 |
|
Change |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Direct administration |
|
|
$ |
1,193 |
$ |
1,261 |
|
(5%) |
Stock-based compensation |
|
|
|
414 |
|
215 |
|
93% |
Deferred share units |
|
|
|
1,082 |
|
42 |
|
2,476% |
Restricted share units |
|
|
|
212 |
|
842 |
|
(75%) |
Total General and Administrative |
|
|
$ |
2,901 |
$ |
2,360 |
|
23% |
Finance Expense
Finance expense includes interest expense, accretion
expense and derivative losses. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, Finance expense was $2.9 million (Q1 2014 - $2.2 million).
This increase is attributable to derivative losses of $2.2 million, comprised of $1.4 million of mark to market revaluations on
contracts outstanding at quarter end and $0.8 million of realized losses for settled contracts, in the first quarter of 2015 (Q1
2014 - $0.2 million derivative loss) offset by lower interest expense associated with repayment of the Company’s loans and
borrowings.
Finance and Other Income
Finance and other income consists of interest income,
production royalties pursuant to the Red Mile Royalty transactions, derivative gains and other miscellaneous income. For the three
months ended March 31, 2015, finance and other income of $0.3 million was consistent with the comparable period of 2014.
Loss on Sale of Assets
For the period ended March 31, 2015, there were no
asset sales. During the first quarter of 2014, the $0.6 million loss related to the completion of the sale of the Madsen Project.
Gain on Investments
The Company has an equity portfolio of publicly listed
companies that are classified as available-for-sale on the Statement of Financial Position. For the period ended March 31, 2015,
no securities were sold. During the first quarter of 2014, the $0.3 million gain was attributable to the disposition of certain
securities during the first quarter of 2014.
Q1 2015 Management’s Discussion and Analysis (in thousands of CDN dollars, except as otherwise noted) | Page 7 |
Liquidity, Financial Resources and Capital Structure
The Company monitors its spending plans, repayment
obligations and cash resources on a continuous basis with the objective of ensuring that there is sufficient capital within the
Company to meet business requirements, after taking into account cash flows from operations and the Company’s holdings of
cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments. The Company’s typical cash requirement over the first and second quarters
of each year is significant because of the Seabee Gold Operation’s winter ice road resupply, which includes restocking diesel,
propane and other large consumables as well as the continued investment in maintenance and growth capital relating to the mining
fleet and mine infrastructure.
The Company’s objective when managing capital
is to safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern so that it can continue to provide adequate returns to shareholders
and benefits to other stakeholders. The Company manages the capital structure and makes adjustments to it in light of changes in
economic conditions and the risk characteristics of the underlying assets. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure,
the Company may issue new shares, sell assets or incur debt. The Company is not subject to externally imposed capital requirements.
The Company’s capital structure is comprised
of a combination of debt and shareholders’ equity.
The capital structure of the Company is as follows:
Schedule of Capital Structure of the Company |
|
|
|
|
March 31 |
|
December 31 |
December 31 |
|
|
|
2015 |
|
2014 |
|
Interest |
Maturity |
|
|
|
|
Total debt * |
10.00% |
April/2018 |
$ |
20,770 |
$ |
21,581 |
Shareholders’ equity |
|
|
|
135,555 |
|
129,425 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Debt to equity |
|
|
|
15% |
|
17% |
* For accounting
purposes, closing costs associated with the Company’s Term loan were netted against the principal balance owing, thereby
reducing the carrying value of the Company’s debt on the Statement of Financial Position. The amount presented in the above
table is the amortized cost of the balance owing. At March 31, 2015, the principal balance owing on the Company’s Term loan
was $21.7 million. A reconciliation between the principal balance owing and the amortized cost (carrying amount) presented on the
Company’s Statement of Financial Position is included in the “Other Financial Measures and Reconciliations” section
of this MD&A.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Cash Flow
The Company
had cash and cash equivalents of $15.4 million at March 31, 2015 (December 31, 2014 - $11.2 million). Short-term investments at
March 31, 2015 were $1.0 million (December 31, 2014 – $1.2 million). At March
31, 2015, the Company had working capital of $24.4 million (December 31, 2014 –$23.9 million) and net debt (2)
of $6.3 million (December 31, 2014 - $11.4 million).
Operating
Activities
Operating cash flow is the Company’s primary
source of liquidity. As required, the Company may enhance its liquidity and supplement operating cash flow through a combination
of equity issuances, securing debt financing and sale of non-core assets. The principal use of operating cash flow is to fund the
Company’s: operating and capital expenditures at the Seabee Gold Operation; general and administrative costs; and principal
and interest payments.
During the first quarter of 2015, the Company’s
cash flow from operations before net changes in non-cash operating working capital (2) was $9.3 million, or $0.05 per
share (Q1 2014 - $1.8 million, or $0.01 per share). Cash provided by operating activities was $13.5 million, a $14.4 million increase
compared to the first quarter of 2014; this is due to improved net earnings, a result of increased gold sales which were higher
due to improved grade. Whether favorable or unfavorable, future changes in the Canadian dollar price of gold will continue to have
a material impact on the cash flow and liquidity of the Company.
Q1 2015 Management’s Discussion and Analysis (in thousands of CDN dollars, except as otherwise noted) | Page 8 |
Investing
Activities
Cash used in
investing activities was $9.2 million for the period ended March 31, 2015 (Q1 2014 –
cash provided by investing activities of $13.5 million). Expenditures were largely comprised of: underground development of $3.8
million; property, plant and equipment additions of $4.8 million; and exploration of $0.6
million. Property, plant and equipment additions include mining equipment, camp infrastructure and tailings management facility
expansion. This compares to cash provided by investing activities of $13.5 million for the period ended March 31, 2014 which included
the proceeds from the sale of an NSR Agreement, the sale of the Madsen Property and the sale of certain investments (collectively
providing $21.4 million); these were offset by Mineral property expenditures of $7.9 million during the first three months of 2014.
Financing
Activities
The Company’s
financing activities during the first quarter of 2015 included proceeds of $0.7 million
received from the issuance of common shares pursuant to the Company’s Employee Share Purchase Program (“ESPP”).
This was offset by $0.9 million of Term loan principal repayments, resulting in a net financing cash outflow of $0.2
million. This compares to a net financing cash outflow of $5.2 million during the first
quarter of 2014, which consisted of $0.7 million in funding received from the Company’s ESPP offset by $5.9 million of debt
repayments.
Financial and Other Instruments
In the normal course of its operations, the Company
is exposed to gold price, foreign exchange, interest rate, liquidity, equity price and counterparty risks. The overall financial
risk management program focuses on preservation of capital and protecting current and future Company assets and cash flows by reducing
exposure to risks posed by the uncertainties and volatilities of financial markets.
The Company may use derivative financial instruments
to hedge some of its exposure to fluctuations in gold prices and foreign exchange rates. The Company does not acquire, hold or
issue derivatives for trading purposes. The Company’s management of financial risks is aimed at ensuring that net cash flows
are sufficient to meet all its financial commitments as and when they fall due and to maintain the capacity to fund its forecast
project development and exploration strategies.
The value of the Company’s mineral resources
is related to the price of gold and the outlook for this mineral. Gold and precious metal prices historically have fluctuated widely
and are affected by numerous factors outside of the Company’s control, including, but not limited to, industrial and retail
demand, central bank lending, forward sales by producers and speculators, levels of worldwide production, short-term changes in
supply and demand because of speculative hedging activities and certain other factors related specifically to gold. The profitability
of the Company’s operations is highly correlated to the market price of gold. If the gold price declines below the cost of
production at the Company’s operations, for a prolonged period of time, it may not be economically feasible to continue production.
The Company’s revenues from the production and
sale of gold are denominated in U.S. dollars. However, the Company’s operating expenses are primarily incurred in Canadian
dollars and its liabilities are primarily denominated in Canadian dollars. The results of the Company’s operations are subject
to currency risks. The operating results and financial position of the Company are reported in Canadian dollars in the Company’s
consolidated financial statements.
Q1 2015 Management’s Discussion and Analysis (in thousands of CDN dollars, except as otherwise noted) | Page 9 |
To mitigate the effects of price fluctuations in revenue,
the Company may enter into derivative instrument transactions, from time to time, in respect of the price of gold and foreign exchange
rates. Such transactions can expose the Company to credit, liquidity and interest rate risk. At March 31, 2015, the Company had
derivative instruments outstanding in the form of forward sales contracts relating to 2015 production totaling 15,500 ounces of
gold; at March 31, 2014, the Company had derivative instruments outstanding in the form of forward sales contracts relating to
2014 production totaling 15,000 ounces of gold. The market value loss inherent in these contracts at March 31, 2015 was $0.8 million
(Q1 2014 - market value gain of $0.2 million). The Company’s main exposure to interest rate risk arises from interest earning
cash deposits.
The Company’s liquidity position is managed to
ensure sufficient liquid funds are available to meet its financial obligations in a timely manner. The Company manages liquidity
risk by continuously monitoring forecast and actual cash flows and ensuring that the Company has the ability to access required
funding.
The Company is exposed to equity securities market
price risk, arising from investments classified on the balance sheet as available-for-sale. Investments in equity securities are
approved by the Board on a case-by-case basis. All of the Company’s available-for-sale equity investments are in junior resource
companies listed on the TSX Venture Exchange.
The Company is exposed to counterparty risk which is
the risk that a counterparty will not complete its obligations under a financial instrument resulting in a financial loss for the
Company. The Company does not generally obtain collateral or other security to support financial instruments subject to credit
risk; however, the Company only deals with credit worthy counterparties. Accounts receivable comprise institutions purchasing gold
under normal settlement terms of two working days. Counterparty risk under derivative financial instruments is to reputable institutions.
All significant cash balances are on deposit with high-rated banking institutions. The carrying amount of financial assets recorded
in the financial statements represents the Company’s maximum exposure to credit risk without taking account of the value
of any collateral or other security obtained.
Contractual Obligations
At March 31, 2015, there were no significant changes
to the Company’s contractual obligations from those reported in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the year
ended December 31, 2014.
Statements
of Financial Position
Highlights
Select Statements of Financial Position Data |
|
|
|
March 31 |
|
|
December 31 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2015 |
|
|
2014 |
|
|
Change |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets |
|
$ |
184,173 |
|
$ |
167,512 |
|
|
10% |
Non-current liabilities |
|
$ |
24,525 |
|
$ |
25,433 |
|
|
(4%) |
Assets
The Company’s total assets were $184.2 million
at March 31, 2015, compared to $167.5 million at December 31, 2014; Claude’s asset base primarily consists of non-current
assets comprising mineral properties, reflecting the capital intensive nature of the exploration and mining business and the impact
of the significant capital expenditures relating to its operations and exploration projects. The $16.7 million net increase resulted
largely from increases of: $4.2 million in cash and cash equivalents, a result of higher gold sales (attributable to improved production
and grade at the Seabee Gold Operation); $11.1 million in inventories, attributable to the Company’s annual winter road resupply
at the Seabee Gold Operation; and $4.7 million in mineral properties attributable to development and sustaining capital expenditures.
These increases were mainly offset by a $2.8 million decrease in account receivable attributable to the timing of gold sales and
receipt of funds.
Q1 2015 Management’s Discussion and Analysis (in thousands of CDN dollars, except as otherwise noted) | Page 10 |
Liabilities
Total Current and Non-current liabilities were
$48.6 million at March 31, 2015, an increase of $10.5 million from December 31, 2014. This result was mainly attributable to an
$11.5 million increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities (related to seasonal expenditures related to the Company’s
annual winter road resupply) offset by principal repayments on the Company’s Term loan.
Shareholders’ Equity
Shareholders’ equity increased by $6.1 million
to $135.6 million at March 31, 2015, from $129.4 million at December 31, 2014. This variance is mainly attributable to an increase
in Share capital of $1.1 million due to the issuance of common shares pursuant to the Company’s ESPP and a $5.1 million decrease
to Accumulated deficit, a result of the net profit for the first quarter of 2015.
Comprehensive income consists of net profit (loss),
together with certain other economic gains and losses that are collectively referred to as “other comprehensive income (loss)”
or “OCI” and are excluded from the Income Statement.
Key Sensitivities
Earnings from Claude’s gold operation are sensitive
to fluctuations in both commodity and currency prices. The key factors and their approximate effect on earnings, earnings per share
and cash flow, based on assumptions comparable to year to date 2015 actuals, are as follows:
Gold
For a U.S. $10 movement in gold price per ounce, earnings
and cash flow will have a corresponding movement of CDN $0.9 million, or $0.00 per share. For a $0.01 movement in the U.S.$/CDN$
exchange rate, earnings and cash flow will have a corresponding movement of CDN $1.3 million, or $0.01 per share.
Grade
For a 0.25 gram per tonne movement in grade, earnings
and cash flow will have a corresponding movement of CDN $2.9 million, or $0.01 per share.
Selected
Quarterly Production and Financial Data
Selected Quarterly Production and Financial Data |
|
Mar 31 |
Dec 31 |
Sept 30 |
Jun 30 |
Mar 31 |
Dec 31 |
Sept 30 |
Jun 30 |
|
2015 |
2014 |
2014 |
2014 |
2014 |
2013 |
2013 |
2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tonnes milled |
67,249 |
60,551 |
74,930 |
79,746 |
64,370 |
74,458 |
64,642 |
79,077 |
Grade processed (grams of gold per tonne) |
10.17 |
6.57 |
8.88 |
7.70 |
5.76 |
5.61 |
5.30 |
5.13 |
Gold ounces |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Produced |
21,100 |
12,300 |
20,600 |
18,700 |
11,300 |
12,800 |
10,500 |
12,400 |
Sold |
17,300 |
16,600 |
17,600 |
17,700 |
10,900 |
13,200 |
10,800 |
11,500 |
Gold sales ($ millions) |
26.2 |
22.7 |
24.3 |
24.7 |
15.6 |
17.5 |
15.0 |
16.1 |
Production costs ($ millions) |
10.7 |
15.0 |
12.0 |
12.6 |
10.6 |
12.5 |
9.9 |
10.1 |
Capital expenditures ($ millions) |
9.2 |
6.2 |
4.4 |
3.8 |
7.8 |
6.7 |
5.8 |
7.3 |
Net profit (loss) ($ millions) (a) |
5.1 |
(0.5) |
6.9 |
3.3 |
(5.1) |
(27.1) |
(33.9) |
(9.9) |
Net profit (loss) per share (a) (d) |
0.03 |
(0.00) |
0.04 |
0.02 |
(0.03) |
(0.15) |
(0.19) |
(0.06) |
Average realized gold price (CDN$ per ounce) |
1,511 |
1,365 |
1,384 |
1,397 |
1,438 |
1,323 |
1,389 |
1,393 |
Average realized gold price (U.S.$ per ounce) |
1,218 |
1,201 |
1,270 |
1,282 |
1,303 |
1,260 |
1,338 |
1,361 |
Cash cost per ounce (b) (CDN$ per ounce) |
675 |
934 |
735 |
753 |
983 |
944 |
919 |
875 |
Cash cost per ounce (b) (U.S.$ per ounce) |
544 |
822 |
675 |
691 |
891 |
899 |
885 |
855 |
Q1 2015 Management’s Discussion and Analysis (in thousands of CDN dollars, except as otherwise noted) | Page 11 |
Selected Quarterly Production and Financial Data |
|
Mar 31 |
Dec 31 |
Sept 30 |
Jun 30 |
Mar 31 |
Dec 31 |
Sept 30 |
Jun 30 |
|
2015 |
2014 |
2014 |
2014 |
2014 |
2013 |
2013 |
2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All-in sustaining (b) (CDN$ per ounce) |
1,374 |
1,434 |
1,063 |
1,065 |
1,919 |
1,609 |
1,574 |
1,590 |
All-in sustaining (b) (U.S.$ per ounce) |
1,107 |
1,262 |
976 |
977 |
1,738 |
1,533 |
1,516 |
1,554 |
Cash flow from operations before net changes in non-cash operating working capital ($ millions) (c) |
9.3 |
4.5 |
10.4 |
9.9 |
1.8 |
4.5 |
4.3 |
3.7 |
Cash flow from operations before net changes in non-cash operating working capital (c) per share |
0.05 |
0.02 |
0.06 |
0.05 |
0.01 |
0.03 |
0.02 |
0.02 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares outstanding (basic) |
192,928 |
188,156 |
188,156 |
188,156 |
182,029 |
175,811 |
175,811 |
175,811 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CDN$/U.S.$ Exchange |
1.2408 |
1.1361 |
1.0892 |
1.0902 |
1.1038 |
1.0498 |
1.0383 |
1.0235 |
(a)
Basic and diluted, calculated based on the number of shares issued and outstanding during the
quarter. Q4 2013 reflects the impact of a $3.5 million impairment charge on the Seabee Gold Operation and a $4.3 million impairment
charge on the Madsen Property. Q3 2013 reflects the impact of a $7.9 million impairment charge on the Seabee Gold Operation and
a $37.3 million impairment charge on the Madsen Property. Q2 2013 results reflect the impact of a $10.8 million impairment charge
on the Seabee Gold Operation.
(b)
Denotes a non-IFRS measure. For an explanation and reconciliation of non-IFRS measures, refer to the “Non-IFRS Financial
Measures” section of this MD&A.
(c)
For an explanation of this
performance measure, refer to the “Other Performance Measures” section of this MD&A.
(d) Net profit
(loss) per share for each quarter has been calculated based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the quarter.
As such, quarterly amounts may not add to the annual total.
Trends
| · | Tonnage throughput ranging from 60,551 to 79,746 tonnes. |
| · | Improving gold production and sales, a result of improving grade. |
| · | 72,700 ounces of gold produced over the last four quarters and nearly 120,000 ounces of gold production
over the last eight quarters. |
| · | Improving cash cost per ounce and all-in sustaining cost per ounce. |
| · | Canadian average gold price realized ranging from $1,323 to $1,511 per ounce over the last eight
quarters. |
| · | The weakening of the Canadian dollar versus the United States dollar. |
Accounting Estimates
Certain of the Company’s accounting policies
require that Management make decisions with respect to the formulation of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts
of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. For a discussion of those estimates, please refer to the Company’s Management’s
Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2014, available at www.sedar.com.
Future
Accounting Pronouncements
The standards and interpretations that are issued,
but not yet effective, up to the date of issuance of the Company’s financial statements are disclosed below. These are the
changes that the Company reasonably expects will have an impact on its disclosures, financial position or performance when applied
at a future date. The Company intends to adopt these standards, if applicable, when they become effective.
Q1 2015 Management’s Discussion and Analysis (in thousands of CDN dollars, except as otherwise noted) | Page 12 |
Financial Instruments
IFRS 9, Financial Instruments (“IFRS 9”),
was issued by the IASB on November 12, 2009 and will replace IAS 39, Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement (“IAS
39”). IFRS 9 uses a single approach to determine whether a financial asset is measured at amortized cost or fair value,
replacing the multiple rules in IAS 39. The approach in IFRS 9 is based on how an entity manages its financial instruments in the
context of its business model and the contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial assets. The new standard also requires
a single impairment method to be used, replacing the multiple impairment methods in IAS 39. IFRS 9 is effective for annual periods
beginning on or after January 1, 2018 (tentative). The Company is currently evaluating the impact of IFRS 9 on its financial statements,
if any.
Revenue
IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“IFRS
15”), was issued by the IASB in May 2014, is effective for periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017 and is to be
applied retrospectively. IFRS 15 clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers. The Company intends
to adopt IFRS 15 in its financial statements for the annual period beginning January 1, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating
the impact of IFRS 15 on its financial statements, if any.
Exploration
During 2015, exploration at the Seabee Gold Operation
is focused on targets proximal to infrastructure with the potential to materially impact near-term production, drive resource growth,
improve costs and positively impact the Company’s Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources.
All exploration activities are carried out under the
direction of Qualified Person, Brian Skanderbeg, P. Geo., President and Chief Executive Officer.
Seabee Gold Operation
The Seabee Gold Operation is located northeast of La
Ronge, Saskatchewan and consists of two producing mines, the Seabee Mine (which includes the L62 deposit) and the Santoy Mine Complex
(which includes the Santoy 8 and Santoy Gap deposits). In addition, the Seabee Gold Operation is host to various regional exploration
targets.
Figure 1: Seabee Property regional map showing significant
gold deposits and occurrences.
Q1 2015 Management’s Discussion and Analysis (in thousands of CDN dollars, except as otherwise noted) | Page 13 |
Santoy Region
The Santoy Region includes the Santoy 8 and Santoy
Gap deposits, which are part of the Santoy Mine Complex.
Gold mineralization at the Santoy Region is hosted
in siliceous, shear structures with sulfide-chlorite-quartz veins and in silicified granitoid sills. The mineralized lenses dip
moderately to steeply eastward and are amenable to bulk mining techniques. Gold mineralization of the Santoy 8 ore lens occurs
over a strike length of 600 metres, a depth of 500 metres and remains open along strike and down plunge to the north. The Santoy
8E ore lens has been intercepted over a strike length of 200 metres, depth of 250 metres and remains open along strike and down
plunge to the north. The true thickness of the Santoy 8 deposits varies from 1.5 metres to 15 metres.
The Santoy Gap deposit is located 400 to 900 metres
north of underground infrastructure, immediately on strike and adjacent to the Santoy 8 deposit within the Santoy Mine Complex.
Historical drilling completed in and around the Santoy Gap and along the Santoy regional shear zone has extended the mineralized
system, discovered a sub-parallel lens to the Santoy Gap approximately 150 metres to the east and affirmed the high prospectivity
of the Santoy Regional Shear Zone, hosting multiple deposits over a three kilometre strike length. The Santoy Gap system remains
open down plunge to the north, along strike to the south and at depth. These intercepts at depth may link with the existing Santoy
8 resource 300 metres to the south.
Drilling at Santoy Gap has extended the mineralized
system down-plunge to 650 metres depth and at Santoy 8 has extended the system 400 metres below the base of the existing inferred
resource. These step-out drill intercepts significantly expand the footprint of the Santoy Mine Complex and are of a materially
higher grade than the current reserve and resource base. Results from the underground drill program during 2014 have shown high
grade and excellent widths that are hosted within three distinct vein systems (Santoy Gap 9A, 9B and 9C). Select highlight holes
that have intercepted multiple vein systems are presented in the table below.
Highlights of Drill Holes Intercepting Multiple Vein Systems Within the Santoy Gap Deposit |
|
Hole ID |
VEIN SYSTEM |
|
9A |
9B |
9C |
|
Grade g/t
Au (cut) |
True width
(m) |
Grade g/t
Au (cut) |
True width
(m) |
Grade g/t
Au (cut) |
True width
(m) |
|
|
SUG-14-027 |
33.56 |
4.57 |
7.71 |
2.52 |
4.28 |
10.21 |
|
SUG-14-028 |
15.35 |
7.51 |
4.84 |
3.42 |
6.71 |
7.13 |
|
SUG-14-029 |
50.00 |
1.88 |
10.91 |
10.47 |
15.17 |
4.80 |
|
SUG-14-034 |
13.29 |
2.58 |
22.54 |
9.62 |
4.93 |
1.72 |
|
SUG-14-038 |
9.87 |
8.22 |
20.20 |
0.87 |
28.36 |
2.02 |
|
SUG-14-044 |
8.03 |
3.39 |
- |
- |
11.33 |
7.63 |
|
SUG-14-048 |
6.06 |
6.34 |
6.23 |
4.69 |
26.77 |
8.70 |
|
Note: Composites were calculated using a 3.5 g/t Au cut-off grade and a 50.0 g/t top-cut and may include internal dilution. |
|
These results are significant because all three structures
hosted within the Santoy Gap continue to demonstrate economic grades and widths. The Santoy Gap deposit contains more gold ounces
per vertical metre than other ore bodies within the Seabee Gold Operation; as such, the Company has the opportunity to improve
productivity and margins.
Results during 2013 were highlighted by drill hole
JOY-13-690 that returned 330.35 grams of gold per tonne over 1.55 metres, inclusive of a bonanza grade interval of 602.00 grams
of gold per tonne over 0.84 metres. This is the highest grade interval drilled to date at the Santoy Gap deposit. Drill hole JOY-13-692
returned 18.80 grams of gold per tonne over 13.86 metres in the final hole of the program. The intercept is located 400 metres
down plunge from existing Santoy 8 Inferred Mineral Resources and 200 metres along strike from the Santoy Gap Inferred Mineral
Resources. Drill hole JOY-13-692 is of particular significance as it confirms continuity at depth between the Santoy Gap and
Santoy 8 deposits. Follow-up of this drill hole is one of the key targets for the 2015 drill program.
Q1 2015 Management’s Discussion and Analysis (in thousands of CDN dollars, except as otherwise noted) | Page 14 |
Highlights from 2013 Santoy Mine Complex Drilling |
Hole ID |
Easting |
Northing |
From (m) |
To (m) |
Grade
Au (g/t) |
Width
(m) |
Zone |
JOY-13-690 |
599175 |
6171150 |
684.27 |
685.82 |
330.35 |
1.55 |
GAP |
|
|
Incl |
684.98 |
685.82 |
602.00 |
0.84 |
GAP |
JOY-13-692 |
599721 |
6170539 |
632.85 |
646.71 |
18.80 |
13.86 |
Santoy 8 |
Note: Composites were calculated using a 3.0 g/t Au cut-off grade and may include internal dilution. True widths are interpreted to be 75 to 95 percent of drilled width. Assay results are uncut. |
The 2013 surface drill program was able to demonstrate
significant resource and grade upside at the Santoy Mine Complex, the prospectivity of the regional Santoy system and highlighted
the potential for near term resource growth. With the completion of the Company’s exploration ramp from Santoy 8 to Santoy
Gap, Claude’s exploration group initiated underground infill drilling to aid in the development of a detailed mine design
for the Santoy Gap as its production profile is further advanced.
Figure 2: Santoy Region Composite Longitudinal Section.
Seabee Region
During the first quarter of 2015, a 4,000 metre surface
exploration program focused on evaluating the most prospective targets within a one kilometre radius of the Seabee head-frame and
the CMN, Herb Lake and 2d deep targets. The CMN and Herb Lake targets were most recently prospected in 2013 at which time the latter
yielded significant high-grade grab samples along a Seabee parallel trend. The 2d deep target represents a large panel below mined-out
stopes and holds the potential for significant ounces within striking distance of existing mine workings.
A 10,000 metre underground
drill program coordinated by the Exploration department will focus on high-priority near-mine targets, which have the potential
to result in new discoveries proximal to Seabee’s mine infrastructure and thereby expanding the current resource and reserve
base. This program is anticipated to begin during the second quarter and continue during the remainder of the year.
Q1 2015 Management’s Discussion and Analysis (in thousands of CDN dollars, except as otherwise noted) | Page 15 |
Figure 3: Seabee Mine Composite Longitudinal Section
Amisk Gold Project
No exploration expenditures are planned for the Amisk
Gold Project during 2015. The Amisk Gold Project is located in the Flin Flon-Snow Lake Greenstone Belt and is host to the Amisk
Gold deposit as well as a large number of gold occurrences and prospects.
At the Amisk Gold Project,
regional potential remains high and exploration maturity low. Historical field work and extensive compilation resulted in the emergence
of an extensive list of exploration targets that have been prioritized for future assessment. The Company also completed target
development (with the goal of identifying targets with similarities to Amisk’s historical geology),
ranking and ground-base reconnaissance in areas which host potential for Amisk-style gold-silver (“Au-Ag”) mineralization
as well as conventional base-metal deposits typical of the Flin Flon belt.
Drilling from the Company’s historical drill
programs successfully confirmed continuity of gold mineralization within the northern and eastern portion of the deposit as well
as demonstrated the potential for expansion to the east and southeast. Gold and silver mineralization at the Amisk Gold Project
is associated with a sequence of quartz porphyritic, rhyolitic lapilli tuffs and flows hosting disseminations and stringers of
pyrite, sphalerite, galena, tetrahedrite and chalcopyrite. Drilling has intercepted the mineralized system over a strike length
of 1,200 metres, width of 400 metres and depths of in excess of 600 metres. The system remains open to the southwest, southeast,
northwest and at depth.
Q1 2015 Management’s Discussion and Analysis (in thousands of CDN dollars, except as otherwise noted) | Page 16 |
Figure 4: Amisk Gold Project
Quality Assurance and Quality Control Procedures
Rigorous quality assurance and quality control procedures
have been implemented including the use of blanks, standards and duplicates. Geochemical analyses were submitted to ALS Chemex
in Vancouver, British Columbia, TSL Laboratories in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and or the Seabee mine site lab. ALS Chemex and TSL
Laboratories are ISO approved. Core samples were analyzed by a 30 gram gold fire assay with an atomic absorption and gravimetric
and or screen fire finish.
Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources
The Company’s Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources
estimates were conducted under the direction of Qualified Persons Brian Skanderbeg, P.Geo., President and Chief Executive Officer
and Gordon Reed, P. Eng., Seabee Gold Operation General Manager.
Seabee Gold Operation
At the Seabee Gold Operation, Proven and Probable Mineral
Reserves grade increased by 23 percent to 7.03 grams of gold per tonne while reserve ounces decreased 29 percent to 299,000 ounces
of gold. The increase in reserve grade was driven by a 35 percent increase in grade year over year at the Santoy Gap (7.64 grams
of gold per tonne from 5.68 grams of gold per tonne). The increase in grade and reduction in reserve ounces at Santoy Gap was largely
the result of a revision to the mining method from the pre-feasibility study. Based on information from the Company’s 2014
infill drilling program that demonstrated better vein continuity and improved pillar configuration, Transverse mining was replaced
with Long-hole mining.
Q1 2015 Management’s Discussion and Analysis (in thousands of CDN dollars, except as otherwise noted) | Page 17 |
Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources decreased
29 percent to 125,200 ounces of gold. Inferred Mineral Resources increased by 45 percent to 847,300 ounces. The increase of inferred
ounces year over year came from significantly expanding the Santoy 8 ore body at depth. This extension is significant in size and
grade and provides for a great opportunity to expand the life of mine at the Santoy Mine Complex.
The Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources of the Santoy
Gap deposit continue to be important and represent an opportunity for the Company due to their proximity to permitted mine infrastructure,
low development cost and near-term production potential. Furthermore, based on its high-grade nature and size, the Santoy Gap deposit
demonstrates the potential that exists to grow production at the Seabee Gold Operation.
Seabee Gold Operation Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources |
Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves |
Projects |
November 30, 2014 |
November 15, 2013 |
Tonnes |
Grade
(Au g/t) |
Ozs Au |
Tonnes |
Grade
(Au g/t) |
Ozs Au |
Seabee |
410,300 |
6.46 |
85,200 |
490,000 |
6.67 |
105,000 |
Santoy 8 |
113,200 |
4.80 |
17,500 |
362,100 |
4.45 |
51,800 |
Santoy Gap |
799,600 |
7.64 |
196,300 |
1,456,700 |
5.68 |
266,100 |
Totals |
1,323,100 |
7.03 |
299,000 |
2,308,800 |
5.70 |
422,900 |
Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources |
Projects |
Tonnes |
Grade
(Au g/t) |
Ozs Au |
Tonnes |
Grade
(Au g/t) |
Ozs Au |
Seabee |
105,900 |
6.78 |
23,100 |
151,000 |
6.42 |
31,200 |
Santoy 8 |
101,700 |
5.69 |
18,600 |
68,000 |
4.55 |
9,900 |
Santoy Gap |
182,600 |
5.69 |
33,400 |
309,400 |
8.44 |
83,900 |
Porky Main |
160,000 |
7.50 |
38,600 |
160,000 |
7.50 |
38,600 |
Porky West |
100,700 |
3.57 |
11,600 |
100,700 |
3.57 |
11,600 |
Totals |
651,000 |
5.98 |
125,200 |
789,100 |
6.91 |
175,200 |
Inferred Mineral Resources |
Projects |
Tonnes |
Grade
(Au g/t) |
Ozs Au |
Tonnes |
Grade
(Au g/t) |
Ozs Au |
Seabee |
403,300 |
8.09 |
104,900 |
421,600 |
9.78 |
132,600 |
Santoy 8 |
1,344,300 |
8.56 |
369,900 |
640,100 |
6.09 |
125,300 |
Santoy Gap |
1,319,100 |
7.50 |
318,100 |
1,210,000 |
6.96 |
270,800 |
Porky Main |
70,000 |
10.43 |
23,500 |
70,000 |
10.43 |
23,500 |
Porky West |
174,800 |
5.48 |
30,800 |
174,800 |
5.48 |
30,800 |
Totals |
3,311,400 |
7.96 |
847,300 |
2,516,500 |
7.21 |
582,900 |
Footnotes to the Mineral Resource Statement:
| 1. | At November 30, 2014, Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources were estimated by Claude personnel.
The Mineral Resource evaluation work was completed by a team of geologists and engineers under the supervision of Brian Skanderbeg,
P.Geo., President and Chief Executive Officer. Mineral Reserves were conducted under the direction of Qualified Person Gordon Reed,
P.Eng., Seabee Gold Operation General Manager. Mr. Skanderbeg and Mr. Reed have sufficient experience, which is relevant to the
style of mineralization and type of deposit under consideration and to the activities undertaken to qualify as Qualified Persons
as defined by NI 43-101. |
| 2. | At November 15, 2013, Mineral Resources were estimated by Claude personnel. SRK Consulting (Canada)
Inc. prepared the Company’s Mineral Reserves as at November 15, 2013. The Mineral Resource evaluation work was completed
by a team of geologists and engineers under the supervision of Brian Skanderbeg. Mineral Reserves were conducted under the direction
of Qualified Person Stephen Taylor, P.Eng (SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc.). |
| 3. | The Mineral Resources and reserves reported herein have been estimated in conformity with generally
accepted CIM “Estimation of Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserves Best Practices” guidelines and are reported in accordance
with Canadian Securities Administrators’ National Instrument 43-101. |
| 4. | Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources for the Seabee deposit are reported at a cut-off of 4.5
grams of gold per tonne. Santoy 8 and Santoy Gap Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources are reported at a cut-off of 3.6 grams
of gold per tonne. Porky Main and Porky West Mineral Resources are reported at a cut-off grade of 3.0 grams of gold per tonne.
Assumptions include a price of CDN $1,375 per ounce of gold using metallurgical and process recovery of 95.2 percent and overall
ore mining and processing costs derived from 2014 and 2013 realized costs. |
Q1 2015 Management’s Discussion and Analysis (in thousands of CDN dollars, except as otherwise noted) | Page 18 |
| 5. | All figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimates. Summation of individual
columns may not add-up due to rounding. |
| 6. | Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.
There is no certainty that all or any part of the Mineral Resource will be converted into Mineral Reserves. |
| 7. | Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves are exclusive of Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources. |
Amisk Gold Project
At the Amisk Gold Project, Claude’s independent
NI 43-101 compliant resource calculation outlines an Indicated Resource of 921,000 ounces of 0.95 grams of Au Eq per tonne and
an Inferred Resource of 645,000 ounces at 0.70 grams of Au Eq per tonne.
Amisk Gold Project Consolidated Mineral Resource Statement* |
Resource Class |
Quantity |
Grade (g/tonne) |
Contained Ounces (000’s) |
(000’s tonnes) |
Au |
Ag |
Au Eq |
Au |
Ag |
Au Eq |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indicated |
30,150 |
0.85 |
6.17 |
0.95 |
827 |
5,978 |
921 |
Inferred |
28,653 |
0.64 |
4.01 |
0.70 |
589 |
3,692 |
645 |
* Reported at a cut-off
of 0.40 grams of gold equivalent (Au Eq) per tonne using a price of U.S. $1,100 per ounce of gold and U.S. $16 per ounce of silver
inside a conceptual pit shell optimized using metallurgical and process recovery of 87 percent, overall ore mining and processing
costs of U.S. $15 per tonne and overall pit slope of 50 degrees. All figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy
of the estimates. Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.
The mineral resources for the Amisk Gold Project are
sensitive to the selection of cut-off grade. The table below presents the quantity and grade estimates at a range of cut-off grades
inside the conceptual pit shell considered for reporting the Mineral Resource Statement. A cut-off value of 0.4 grams of gold equivalent
per tonne was selected based on optimization results and benchmarking against similar deposits.
Global Block Model Quantity and Grade Estimates, Amisk Lake Gold Project at Various Cut-off Grades |
Grade |
Indicated |
Inferred |
Au Eq
(gpt) |
Quantity
(tonnes) |
Au Eq
(gpt) |
Ounces
Au Eq |
Quantity
(tonnes) |
Au Eq
(gpt) |
Ounces
Au Eq |
0.40 |
30,150,090 |
0.95 |
920,881 |
28,653,135 |
0.70 |
644,854 |
0.50 |
23,533,117 |
1.09 |
824,702 |
19,446,358 |
0.82 |
512,676 |
0.60 |
18,322,858 |
1.25 |
736,367 |
13,665,490 |
0.94 |
412,994 |
0.70 |
14,359,129 |
1.41 |
650,936 |
9,491,034 |
1.07 |
326,504 |
0.80 |
11,418,785 |
1.58 |
580,054 |
6,659,786 |
1.20 |
256,941 |
0.90 |
9,206,976 |
1.76 |
520,980 |
4,825,758 |
1.34 |
207,903 |
1.00 |
7,606,617 |
1.93 |
471,998 |
3,589,543 |
1.48 |
170,802 |
1.50 |
3,472,946 |
2.80 |
312,642 |
1,078,945 |
2.16 |
74,928 |
Note: The reader is cautioned that the figures in this table should not be misconstrued with a Mineral Resource Statement. The figures are only presented to show the sensitivity of the block model estimates to the selection of cut-off grade. |
Common Share Data
The authorized share capital of the Company
consists of an unlimited number of common shares and two classes of unlimited preferred shares issuable in series. At March 31,
2015, there were 194,361,071 common shares outstanding. This compares to 188,155,978 common shares outstanding at December 31,
2014.
During the first quarter of 2015, the Company
issued 6,105,093 common shares pursuant to the Company’s ESPP (2014 - 7,799,148 common shares). At May 6, 2015, there were
194,642,859 common shares of the Company issued and outstanding.
Q1 2015 Management’s Discussion and Analysis (in thousands of CDN dollars, except as otherwise noted) | Page 19 |
Stock Options, Deferred Share Units
and Restricted Share Units Outstanding
Stock Options
At March 31, 2015, there were 9.0 million director,
officer and key employee stock options outstanding with exercise prices ranging from $0.17 to $2.38 per share and expiration dates
ranging from June 1, 2015 to February 19, 2022. This compares to 8.5 million director, officer and key employee stock options outstanding
at December 31, 2014 ranging from $0.17 to $2.38 per share.
Deferred Share Units
The Company offers a Deferred Share Unit (“DSU”)
plan to non-employee Directors. A DSU is a notional unit that reflects the market value of a single common share of Claude. A portion
of each Director’s annual retainer is paid in DSUs. Each DSU fully vests upon award and are redeemable for cash upon a director
leaving the Company’s Board of Directors. The redemption amount will be based upon the weighted average of the closing prices
of the common shares of Claude on the TSX for the last 20 trading days prior to the redemption date multiplied by the number of
DSUs held by the Director.
During the first quarter of 2015, the Company granted
605,374 DSUs to participating Directors (Q1 2014 – nil) and settled 677,414 DSUs. At March 31, 2015, total DSUs held
by participating Directors was 3,230,945 (December 31, 2014 – 3,302,985).
Restricted Share Units
A Restricted Share Unit (“RSU”) is a notional
unit that reflects the market value of a single common share of Claude that entitles the participant to a cash payment for all
fully vested units. RSUs vest annually over a three-year period. The final value of the redemption amount will be based upon the
weighted average of the closing prices of the common shares of Claude on the TSX for the last 20 trading days prior to the redemption
date multiplied by the number of RSUs held by participants.
For RSUs, the Company records compensation expense
with an offsetting credit to accounts payable to reflect the estimated fair value of RSUs granted to participants. At March 31,
2015, total RSUs held by participants was 778,261 (December 31, 2014 – 778,261). Subsequent to March 31, 2015, an additional
466,520 RSUs were granted to eligible participants and 259,421 RSUs were settled in accordance with plan details. At May 6, 2015,
total RSUs held by participants was 985,360.
Business Risks
Risks and uncertainties
related to economic and industry factors are described in detail in the Company’s Annual Information Form, available at
www.sedar.com, and remain substantially unchanged.
Footnotes
| (1) | See description and reconciliation of non-IFRS measures in the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Reconciliations”
section of this MD&A. |
| (2) | See description and reconciliation of this performance measure in the “Other Performance Measures and Reconciliations”
section of this MD&A. |
Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Reconciliations
The Company utilizes non-IFRS financial measures as
supplemental indicators of operating performance and financial position. These non-IFRS financial measures are used internally
by the Company for comparing actual results from one period to another. The Company believes that, in addition to conventional
measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company’s performance and
ability to generate cash flow. Accordingly, such information is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered
in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS.
Q1 2015 Management’s Discussion and Analysis (in thousands of CDN dollars, except as otherwise noted) | Page 20 |
Cash Cost Per Ounce
The Company reports its cash costs on a per-ounce
basis, based on uniform standards developed by the Gold Institute, an independent researcher and evaluator of the gold market and
gold industry. Management uses this measure to analyze the profitability, compared to average realized gold prices, of the Seabee
Gold Operation. Investors are cautioned that the above measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies,
should these companies not follow World Gold Council.
Total Cash Cost per Gold Ounce Sold |
March 31 |
|
|
|
2015 |
|
2014 |
|
Change |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production costs |
|
|
$ |
10,730 |
$ |
10,628 |
|
1% |
Divided by ounces sold |
|
|
|
17,326 |
|
10,865 |
|
59% |
Production cost per ounce |
|
|
$ |
619 |
$ |
978 |
|
(37%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NSR royalty * |
|
|
$ |
964 |
$ |
58 |
|
1,562% |
Divided by ounces sold |
|
|
|
17,326 |
|
10,865 |
|
59% |
NSR royalty cost per ounce * |
|
|
$ |
56 |
$ |
5 |
|
1,020% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total cash cost per ounce (CDN$) |
|
|
$ |
675 |
$ |
983 |
$ |
(31%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CDN$ Exchange rate |
|
|
|
1.2408 |
|
1.1038 |
|
|
Total cash cost per ounce (U.S.$) |
|
|
$ |
544 |
$ |
891 |
|
(39%) |
*
Period over period, the increase in NSR royalty is attributable to an 86 percent increase in ounces produced and to the NSR Royalty
being effect for only a portion of the first quarter of 2015.
All-In Sustaining Cost Per Ounce
All-in sustaining costs and all-in sustaining
cost per ounce are Non-GAAP measures. These measures are intended to assist readers in evaluating the total costs of producing
gold from current operations. While there is no standardized meaning across the industry for this measure, the Company’s
definition conforms to the definition of all-in sustaining costs as set out by the World Gold Council, which became effective January
1, 2014. The Company defines all-in sustaining costs as the sum of production costs, sustaining capital (capital required to maintain
current operations at existing levels), corporate general and administrative expenses, exploration expenses and reclamation cost
accretion related to current operations. All-in sustaining costs exclude expansion capital, reclamation cost accretion not related
to current operations, interest expense, debt repayment and income taxes. The costs included in the calculation of all-in sustaining
costs are divided by commercial gold ounces sold; U.S.$ all-in sustaining costs per ounce sold are translated using the average
Bank of Canada CDN$/U.S.$ exchange rate.
All-in sustaining costs and all-in sustaining cost
per ounce are reconciled to the amounts included in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) as follows:
All-In Sustaining Cost per Ounce |
March 31 |
|
|
|
2015 |
|
2014 |
|
Change |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production cost |
|
|
$ |
10,730 |
$ |
10,628 |
|
1% |
Production royalty |
|
|
|
964 |
|
58 |
|
1,562% |
Smelting, refining, freight |
|
|
|
53 |
|
42 |
|
26% |
By-product credits |
|
|
|
(21) |
|
(23) |
|
(9%) |
General and administrative |
|
|
|
2,901 |
|
2,360 |
|
23% |
Accretion |
|
|
|
29 |
|
42 |
|
(31%) |
Development |
|
|
|
3,777 |
|
6,301 |
|
(40%) |
Property, plant and equipment |
|
|
|
4,804 |
|
1,371 |
|
250% |
Exploration |
|
|
|
563 |
|
69 |
|
716% |
All-in sustaining costs |
|
|
$ |
23,800 |
$ |
20,848 |
|
14% |
Divided by ounces sold |
|
|
|
17,326 |
|
10,865 |
|
59% |
All-in sustaining cost per ounce (CDN$) |
|
|
$ |
1,374 |
$ |
1,919 |
|
(28%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CDN$ Exchange rate |
|
|
|
1.2408 |
|
1.1038 |
|
|
All-in sustaining cost per ounce (U.S.$) |
|
|
$ |
1,107 |
|
1,738 |
|
(36%) |
Q1 2015 Management’s Discussion and Analysis (in thousands of CDN dollars, except as otherwise noted) | Page 21 |
Other Financial Measures and Reconciliations
Cash Flow from Operations before Net Changes in Non-Cash Operating
Working Capital
The Company uses Cash Flow from Operations before Net
Changes in Non-Cash Operating Working Capital as a supplemental measure of its financial performance. The Company uses this measure
to analyze the cash generated by its operations. These measures are not necessarily indicative of operating profit or cash flow
from operations as determined under IFRS. Investors are cautioned that the above measures may not be comparable to similarly titled
measures of other companies.
Cash Flow from Operations before Net Changes in Non-Cash Operating Working Capital |
March 31 |
|
2015 |
|
2014 |
|
Change |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net profit (loss) |
$ |
5,122 |
$ |
(5,111) |
|
200% |
Adjustments for non-cash items: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and depletion |
|
3,871 |
|
5,593 |
|
(31%) |
Finance expense |
|
118 |
|
921 |
|
(87%) |
Finance and other income |
|
(257) |
|
(206) |
|
25% |
Loss on sale of assets |
|
- |
|
642 |
|
- |
Gain on investments |
|
- |
|
(270) |
|
- |
Stock-based compensation |
|
414 |
|
215 |
|
93% |
|
$ |
9,268 |
$ |
1,784 |
|
420% |
Weighted average shares outstanding (basic) |
|
192,928 |
|
182,029 |
|
|
Weighted average shares outstanding (diluted) |
|
193,799 |
|
182,029 |
|
|
Per share cash flows from operating activities (basic and diluted) |
$ |
0.05 |
$ |
0.01 |
|
400% |
Reconciliation Principal Balance Owing on Debt and Calculation of
Net Debt
Pursuant to Company accounting policy, closing costs
associated with the Company’s long-term debt are netted against the face value of the debt, thereby reducing the carrying
value of the Term Loan on the Statement of Financial Position. These costs are amortized using the effective interest rate method
over the life of the debt facility. A reconciliation of the amortized cost of the Company’s Term loan versus the principal
balance owing, and a reconciliation of net debt, is outlined below.
Principal Balance of Debt and Net Debt |
|
|
Mar 31 |
|
Dec 31 |
|
|
2015 |
|
2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
Term loan (amortized cost) |
$ |
20,770 |
$ |
21,581 |
Add: Remaining closing costs to be amortized |
|
930 |
|
1,019 |
Debt (principal balance owing) |
$ |
21,700 |
$ |
22,600 |
|
|
|
|
|
Less: Cash and cash equivalents |
|
15,363 |
|
11,172 |
Net debt |
$ |
6,337 |
$ |
11,428 |
Q1 2015 Management’s Discussion and Analysis (in thousands of CDN dollars, except as otherwise noted) | Page 22 |
Disclosure Controls and Internal Controls
over Financial Reporting
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As at March 31, 2015, we evaluated our disclosure controls
and procedures as defined in the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Canadian Securities
Administrators. This evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of Management, including the President
and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer. Based on that evaluation, the President and Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the design and operation of these disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining
adequate Internal Control Over Financial Reporting (“ICFR”). ICFR, no matter how well designed, has inherent limitations
and can only provide reasonable assurance with respect to the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.
Under the supervision and with the participation of the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer,
management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria
set forth in the Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission (“COSO”). Based on this evaluation, the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer
concluded that internal control over financial reporting was effective as at March 31, 2015
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no significant changes made in our
internal controls over financial reporting during the period ended March 31, 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably
likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Limitations of Controls and Procedures
The Company’s Management, including the President
and Chief Executive Officer and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, believes that any disclosure controls and procedures
or internal control over financial reporting, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute,
assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that
there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent
limitations in all control systems, they cannot provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any,
within the Company have been prevented or detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making
can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by
the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by unauthorized override of the control. The design
of any control system also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no
assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Accordingly, because
of the inherent limitations in a cost effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors Concerning
Resource Estimates
Resource Estimates
The resource estimates in this Management’s Discussion
and Analysis were prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101, adopted by the Canadian Securities Administrators. The
requirements of National Instrument 43-101 differ significantly from the requirements of the SEC. In this Management’s Discussion
and Analysis, the Company uses certain terms such as “measured”, “indicated” and “inferred”
resources. Although these terms are recognized and required in Canada, the SEC does not recognize them. The SEC permits U.S. mining
companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only those mineral deposits that constitute “reserves”. Under
U.S. standards, mineralization may not be classified as a reserve unless the determination has been made that the mineralization
could be economically and legally extracted at the time the determination is made. U.S. investors should not assume that all or
any portion of a measured or indicated resource will ever be converted into “reserves”. Further, “inferred resources”
have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and whether they can be mined economically or legally, and U.S. investors
should not assume that “inferred resources” exist or can be legally or economically mined, or that they will ever be
upgraded to a more certain category.
Q1 2015 Management’s Discussion and Analysis (in thousands of CDN dollars, except as otherwise noted) | Page 23 |
Compliance with Canadian Securities Regulations
This annual report is intended to comply with the requirements
of the Toronto Stock Exchange and applicable Canadian securities legislation, which differ in certain respects from the rules and
regulations promulgated under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), as promulgated
by the SEC.
U.S. investors are urged to consider the disclosure
in our Annual Report on Form 40-F, File No. 001-31956, filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act, which may be obtained from the
Company (without cost) or from the SEC’s Web site: http://sec.gov/edgar.shtml.
Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information
All statements, other than statements of historical
fact, contained or incorporated by reference in this MD&A constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning
of applicable Canadian securities laws and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (referred to herein as “forward-looking statements”). Forward-looking statements
include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the future price of gold, the estimation of mineral reserves and resources,
the realization of mineral reserve estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production, capital
expenditures, costs and timing of the development of new deposits, success of exploration activities, permitting time lines, currency
exchange rate fluctuations, requirements for additional capital, government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks,
unanticipated reclamation expenses, title disputes or claims and limitations on insurance coverage. Generally, these forward-looking
statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, “expects” or “does
not expect”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”,
“intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate” or “believes”, or the negative
connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results, “may”,
“could”, “would”, “might” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be
achieved” or the negative connotation thereof.
All forward-looking statements are based on various
assumptions, including, without limitation, the expectations and beliefs of management, the assumed long-term price of gold, that
the Company will receive required permits and access to surface rights, that the Company can access financing, appropriate equipment
and sufficient labour, and that the political environment within Canada will continue to support the development of mining projects
in Canada.
Forward-looking statements are subject to known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements
of Claude to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited
to: actual results of current exploration activities; environmental risks; future prices of gold; possible variations in ore reserves,
grade or recovery rates; mine development and operating risks; accidents, labour issues and other risks of the mining industry;
delays in obtaining government approvals or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities; and other
risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those discussed in the section entitled “Business Risk” in this
MD&A. These risks and uncertainties are not, and should not be construed as being, exhaustive.
Q1 2015 Management’s Discussion and Analysis (in thousands of CDN dollars, except as otherwise noted) | Page 24 |
Although Claude has attempted to identify important
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other
factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will
prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly,
readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements in this MD&A are made
as of the date of this MD&A, being May 6, 2015 and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Except as otherwise
indicated by Claude, these statements do not reflect the potential impact of any non-recurring or other special items that may
occur after the date hereof. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management’s
current expectations and plans and allowing investors and others to get a better understanding of our operating environment.
Claude does not undertake to update any forward-looking
statements that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
The forward-looking statements contained in this
Management’s Discussion and Analysis are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements.
Additional
Information
Additional information related to the Company,
including its Annual Information Form (Form 40-F in the U.S.), is available on Canadian (www.sedar.com) and U.S. (www.sec.gov)
securities regulatory authorities’ websites. Certain documents are also available on the Company’s website at www.clauderesources.com.