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  

 

Page 1
 

 

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

 

Page 2
 

 

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.

 

Page 3
 

 

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.

 

Page 4
 

 

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.

 

Page 5
 

 

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

 

 

1.Corporate Information:

 

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.

 

2.Basis of Preparation:

 

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.

 

Page 6
 

 

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.

 

Page 7
 

 

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.

 

Page 8
 

 

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.

 

4.Accounting Standards:

 

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.

 

Page 9
 

 

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).

 

6.Inventories:

 

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:

 

Page 10
 

 

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.

 

8.Loans and Borrowings:

 

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:

 

Page 11
 

 

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      

 

 

Page 12
 

 

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

 

 

(1)At March 31, 2015.
(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 

 

Page 13
 

 

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.

 

10.Share Capital:

 

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.

 

Page 14
 

 

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.

 

(b)Stock Option Plan

 

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 

 

Page 15
 

 

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.

  

Page 16
 

 

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.

 

Page 17
 

 

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.

 

Page 18
 

 

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.

 

13.Capital Management:

 

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.

 

Page 19
 

 

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.

 

Page 20

 



 

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.

 

Claude Resources Inc.
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.

 

Claude Resources Inc.
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%)

 

Claude Resources Inc.
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.

 

Claude Resources Inc.
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.

 

Claude Resources Inc.
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.

 

Claude Resources Inc.
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.

 

Claude Resources Inc.
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.

 

Claude Resources Inc.
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

  

Claude Resources Inc.
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.

 

Claude Resources Inc.
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.

 

Claude Resources Inc.
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.

 

Claude Resources Inc.
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.

 

Claude Resources Inc.
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.

 

Claude Resources Inc.
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.

 

Claude Resources Inc.
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. 

 

Claude Resources Inc.
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.

 

Claude Resources Inc.
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.

 

Claude Resources Inc.
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%)

 

Claude Resources Inc.
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

 

Claude Resources Inc.
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.

 

Claude Resources Inc.
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.

 

Claude Resources Inc.
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.

 

Claude Resources Inc.