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CORNISH METALS RELEASES
AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND
ANALYSIS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023
Vancouver, March 21, 2024
Cornish Metals Inc. (AIM/TSX-V: CUSN)
("Cornish Metals" or the "Company"), a mineral exploration and
development company focused on advancing the South Crofty tin
project ("South Crofty" or the "Project"), located in Cornwall,
United Kingdom, to a construction decision, is pleased to announce
that it has released its annual audited financial statements and
management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") for the period
ended December 31, 2023. The reports are available under the
Company's profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca)
and on the Company's website (www.cornishmetals.com).
Highlights for the period ended December 31, 2023 and for the
period ending March 20,
2024
(All figures expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise
stated)
· Refurbishment of New Cook's
Kitchen ("NCK") shaft has commenced ahead of schedule:
o Rephasing shaft refurbishment will
improve the functionality of NCK shaft and enable larger equipment
to access the mine at an earlier stage in its re-development (news
release dated
March 3, 2024).
· Commissioning of the Water
Treatment Plant ("WTP") completed at the end of October
2023:
o Discharge of treated water to the Red
River commenced in early November 2023 in accordance with permitted
standards;
o Dewatering of the mine progressed well
with water levels drawing down as expected. The rate of dewatering
has been reduced to allow shaft refurbishment and dewatering to
proceed concurrently (news releases dated
January 17, 2024 and
March 3, 2024).
· Updated Mineral
Resource Estimate ("MRE") for South Crofty mine released in
September 2023:
o 31.6% increase to contained
tin in the Indicated Mineral Resource category for the Lower
Mine (news release dated
September 13, 2023);
· Drill programme to
collect samples for metallurgical testwork as part of the South
Crofty Feasibility Study completed in June 2023:
o Visible tin mineralisation
confirmed in all 28 drill holes with assay results reported (news
release dated
July 3, 2023);
o Ore sorting testwork completed
with excellent results from X-Ray Transmission ("XRT") confirming
the potential to materially reduce tonnes milled, and reduce
process plant capital and operating costs (news release
dated
October 8, 2023);
· Drill programme
started at the Wide Formation target in the Carn Brea exploration
area (news release dated
September 19, 2023):
o Drill results from the first
six holes confirm the Wide Formation structure over a 1.6km strike
length;
o A new mineralised structure
has been identified lying directly beneath the Great Flat Lode and
several high-grade, steeply dipping tin zones (news release
dated
February 4, 2024).
· Shaft re-access
work completed in readiness for commencement of refurbishment of
NCK shaft:
o South headframe above NCK
shaft remediated with installation of new sheave wheel;
o New temporary egress headframe
arrangement installed inside the existing north
headframe;
o South winder building
refurbished with new exterior cladding and associated civil works
for accommodating new winding apparatus;
o Main and auxiliary drum
winders installed and commissioned.
· Work on the
Feasibility Study continues and is well underway:
o Preliminary Economic
Assessment ("PEA") expected to be published in Q2 2024 to provide
interim guidance ahead of the publication of the Feasibility Study
(news release dated
January 17, 2024).
· Fifteen-month
power supply contract agreed for the provision of 100% renewably
generated power thereby providing certainty over power costs during
the mine dewatering phase (news release dated
July 18, 2023);
· Cornish Metals
Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"), Richard Williams, will depart the
Company effective on March 31, 2024, when he will also leave the
Company's Board (news release dated
March 15, 2024):
o Mr. Williams will remain
available to the Company on a consulting basis going
forward;
o Ken Armstrong, a non-executive
director, will be appointed as Interim CEO and Patrick Anderson,
Chairman of the Board, will become the Executive Chairman of the
Company during the transition.
· Samantha
Hoe-Richardson joined the Board as independent non-executive
director effective January 8, 2024 (news release dated
January 8, 2024).
Patrick F. N. Anderson, Executive Chairman of Cornish Metals,
stated, "The Cornish Metals team
made excellent progress in 2023, achieving several important
milestones, in particular, the construction and commissioning of
the water treatment plant, further de-risking South Crofty and
advancing the project closer towards a construction decision. On
behalf of the Board of Directors I want to thank Richard for the
many achievements he made and obstacles overcome to bring the
Company and the South Crofty Project to where it is
today.
2024 is shaping up to be another
busy year for the Company with mine dewatering and the
refurbishment of NCK shaft progressing to deeper levels of the
mine. The South Crofty PEA is nearing completion and we look
forward to reporting the updated mine plan and project economics in
Q2 this year. We are also excited by the ongoing Wide Formation
drilling programme, with results to date confirming our model that
this represents a new, large-scale, tin-bearing exploration target
lying beneath the historically mined Great Flat Lode, demonstrating
the exploration upside of this area, which we view as having
substantial potential to add to our current Mineral Resource base
at South Crofty.
We appreciate the continued support
of our shareholders, the local community and other
stakeholders."
Review of activities
Updated Mineral Resource
Estimate released for South Crofty Mine
An updated MRE for South Crofty
Mine, prepared in accordance with the requirements of the JORC Code
(2012 Edition), was released on September 13, 2023 ("Updated MRE").
This updates and supersedes the MRE published on June 9, 2021
("2021 MRE").
Since the 2021 MRE, the Company's
geological team has continued to digitize
and incorporate historic assay data into the Mineral Resource model
for the Lower Mine. Furthermore, confirmation of existing
structures at depth through the recent metallurgical drilling
programme (as described below) has been incorporated into the
Updated MRE.
The Updated MRE for the Lower Mine
area of South Crofty Mine reports a:
· 39.0% increase in
tonnes and a 31.6% increase in contained tin in the Indicated
Mineral Resource category from the 2021 MRE; and
· 35.6% increase in tonnes and
15.5% increase in contained tin in the Inferred Mineral Resource
category from the 2021 MRE.
The
Updated MRE for the tin-only Lower Mine is summarized
below:
Summary of South Crofty Lower
Mine Area Mineral Resource Estimate at 0.6% Sn Cut-Off Grade
(September 6, 2023)
|
Classification
|
Mass
(kt)
|
Grade
(% Sn)
|
Contained Tin
(t)
|
Increase to Contained Tin
from 2021
MRE
(t / %)
|
Indicated
|
2,896
|
1.50
|
43,573
|
10,475 /
31.6%
|
Inferred
|
2,626
|
1.42
|
37,422
|
5,026 /
15.5%
|
The Mineral Resource Estimate for
South Crofty is available in a report titled
"South
Crofty Tin Project - Mineral Resource Update NI 43-101 Technical
Report", dated October 27, 2023,
co-authored by Mr. N. Szebor (MCSM, MSc,
BSc, CGeol, EurGeol, FGS) and Mr. R. Chesher (FAusIMM(CP), RPEQ,
MTMS) of AMC Consultants, and can be accessed
through the above link and on the Company's SEDAR+
page.
The majority of new Mineral
Resources are contained within the central part of the mine in No.
1, No. 2, No. 3, Main, Intermediate, North and Great Lodes
following digitization and modelling of historic data.
The Updated MRE for the Lower Mine
area is reported using a 0.6% tin cut-off grade, the same cut-off
grade applied in the MREs prepared in 2016 and 2021. The Updated
MRE was prepared by the Company's geological team and independently
reviewed and verified by AMC Consultants (UK) Ltd.
The Lower Mine area contains tin
mineralisation within quartz-tourmaline vein or "lode" structures,
which are hosted entirely within granitic rocks. The major lode
structures that comprise the Updated MRE remain open along strike
and to depth.
Mineral Resources for the Upper Mine
area of the South Crofty Updated MRE were reported accounting for a
recalculation of tin equivalent grades due to changes in metal
prices since the 2021 MRE was published (refer news release
dated
September 13, 2023).
Mineral Resources which are not
Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The
estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by
environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political,
marketing or other relevant issues.
The Updated MRE will be incorporated
into the mine plan to be included in the Feasibility Study as
described below.
Commissioning of water
treatment plant at South Crofty and commencement of
dewatering
The construction of the WTP at South
Crofty involved various enabling works, including completion of the
treated water discharge duct from the WTP, various roadways and
the concrete foundation pad for the WTP
itself. Pipelines carrying water from the submersible pumps in NCK
shaft to the WTP were also laid along with electrical and
communication systems.
The WTP comprises nine reaction
tanks for altering the chemical properties to precipitate the
various metals out of solution, and six inclined plate settling
tanks (lamella clarifiers) to remove the precipitated solids. At
the back end of the WTP, a sludge storage and thickening system has
been installed, consisting of storage tanks for unthickened and
thickened sludge and a deep cone thickener to thicken the
sludge.
At the mine end is a building
housing the high voltage power supply/sub-station and the variable
speed drives ("VSDs") required to operate the pumps. A new power supply contract
(refer below) provides the 11kV power supply needed. At the WTP end, a large motor control centre and automation
system was installed in a new building, which National Grid
connected to their network with another new
substation.
A hydro-turbine has been added ahead
of the discharge point that is generating up to 20% of the
electricity required to operate the WTP. Other renewable energy
opportunities are also being explored.
Wet commissioning of the WTP was
completed during September and October 2023. After successful
commissioning, the WTP was officially opened on October 26, 2023,
with discharge of treated water to the Red River commencing in
early November 2023. The
treated water exceeds the Company's permitted
standards set by the Environment Agency for its discharge into the
Red River. Dewatering of the mine
progressed well with the water level drawing down as
expected. With the commencement of
refurbishment of NCK shaft (as more fully described below), the
rate of mine dewatering has been reduced, with the water level
being maintained, to allow shaft refurbishment and dewatering to
proceed concurrently. Mine dewatering and shaft refurbishment are
expected to be complete by September 2025.
Installation of submersible
pumps and commissioning of variable speed drives
Two submersible pumps manufactured
by KSB in Germany have been installed in NCK shaft for the first
stage of the two-stage mine dewatering programme. The pumps are
specialist high head, vertical pumps that are controlled by VSDs to
enable the 25,000m3/day pumping rate to the WTP to be
maintained as the water level drops and the pumping head increases.
The VSDs were manufactured by Schneider Electric and supplied by
Siemag Tecberg UK.
The pumps were installed in NCK
shaft in mid-2023. Commissioning teams from Siemag Tecberg UK and
Schneider Electric were on-site for testing the pumps and VSDs that
were successfully commissioned and ran through a series of
performance tests to demonstrate their ability to meet the target
flow rate to the WTP.
The pumps were initially lowered to
approximately 360 metres below surface and suspended from 120
three-metre-long pipes that form the temporary rising main. When
the water level reaches the level at approximately 360 metres below
surface, a permanent set of pumps will be installed at that level.
The submersible pumps will then be lowered to approximately 730
metres below surface for the second stage of dewatering.
Since the commencement of the
dewatering of the South Crofty mine (refer above), the pumps have
been pumping mine water from approximately 360 metres below surface
to the WTP from where the treated mine water is discharged to the
Red River.
Execution of
power supply contract for South Crofty
In July 2023, South Crofty entered
into a 15-month supply contract with NPower for the provision of
100% renewably generated power. The supply contract allows South
Crofty to advance through the mine dewatering phase with certainty
over the power costs for the next 15 months. This added certainty
is an important financial consideration given the power price
volatility seen over the last two years.
Preparation for re-accessing
New Cook's Kitchen shaft
Two single drum winders were ordered
for the shaft re-access work, with the primary access winder
supplied by Siemag Tecberg UK and an emergency egress winder
provided by Zitrón S.A. These winders will
enable NCK shaft to be re-accessed once dewatering activities have
sufficiently progressed. Both winders
arrived on site by the beginning of November 2023 and have been
installed and commissioned in December 2023 and January 2024,
respectively.
The south headframe sitting above
NCK shaft has been remediated and strengthened as required. New
sheave wheels and associated apparatus have been ordered to replace
the originals which were beyond economic repair. The South Winder
house, housing the primary access winder, has been remediated with
its structural steelwork checked and refurbished,
and new exterior cladding erected. The secondary egress
winder has been housed in a new temporary winding house which was
erected in October 2023.
Pump and pipe handling
infrastructure has also been installed around the headframe to
facilitate the lowering of the pumps and pipes and subsequent
dewatering activities.
Refurbishment of New Cook's
Kitchen Shaft
After assessment of the condition of
the timbers in NCK shaft, refurbishment of the shaft has commenced
ahead of schedule (refer news release dated
March 3, 2024). Rephasing shaft
refurbishment will improve the functionality of NCK shaft, enable
larger equipment to access the mine at an earlier stage in its
re-development and ensure that high health and safety standards are
applied as the underground mine workings are accessed.
As stated above, shaft refurbishment
and mine dewatering will proceed concurrently and are expected to
be complete by September 2025. The rephasing of shaft
refurbishment is expected to have no impact on the overall South
Crofty project development timeline and there is no anticipated
impact on the overall cost of re-opening South Crofty arising from
this rephasing.
Metallurgical study drill
programme at South Crofty
A metallurgical drill programme as
part of the Feasibility Study was completed between July 2022 and
June 2023. The programme was designed to collect
samples for various metallurgical studies, including XRT ore
sorting, flowsheet optimisation and paste backfill
studies. This testwork should allow
acceleration of the Feasibility Study in advance of dewatering the
mine and will provide key information for the mineral processing
flowsheet.
The programme comprised 10,312
metres of diamond drilling with three drill rigs contracted
from Priority Drilling
Limited, under the
supervision of the Company's geological team.
Samples were collected from the
North Pool Zone (eastern section of Mineral Resource), the No. 4
and No. 8 Lodes (central part of the Mineral Resource), Roskear and
Dolcoath South (western part of the Mineral Resource). These five
main lodes / mineralised zones contain the majority of the
mineralised material anticipated to be processed during the first
six years of the proposed mine life.
The metallurgical drill programme
comprised 14 parent and daughter drill holes targeting No. 4 and
No. 8 Lodes, and 14 parent and daughter holes targeting the Roskear
Lode. Visible tin mineralisation was observed in all 28 drill
holes. Three holes from each Lode were assayed for base metals and
associated elements and the rest of the drill intercepts were used
for metallurgical studies. The assay results were reported in the
news release dated July 3, 2023.
Four parent and 29 daughter holes
targeting the North Pool Zone and the Dolcoath South Lode,
respectively, were also completed.
Metallurgical testwork
results
The metallurgical testwork was
conducted on samples from the metallurgical drill programme (as
more fully described above) across five mineralised zones (North
Pool Zone, No. 4 and No. 8 Lodes, Roskear and Dolcoath South),
representing the majority of the potential production areas in the
first six years of the proposed mine life.
XRT ore sorter testwork of bulk
composite samples was completed by TOMRA Sorting GmbH. Heavy
Liquid Separation ("HLS") testwork of bulk composite samples was
completed by Wardell Armstrong International.
Both XRT ore sorting and HLS
pre-concentration testwork yielded excellent results:
· XRT: 55% mass rejection with
less than 3% metal loss (-50mm to +15mm size fraction);
and
· HLS: 50% mass rejection with
less than 5% metal loss (-15mm to +0.85mm size
fraction).
The metallurgical testwork results
confirm the potential to materially reduce tonnes milled and reduce
process plant capital and operating costs as well as the associated
environmental footprint. The testwork results are being
incorporated in the Feasibility Study as
described below.
Preparation of Feasibility
Study
Good progress is being made in
advancing the South Crofty Feasibility Study with a substantial
amount of the study completed. All study components, with the
exception of infill drilling, are expected to be finalised by the
end of June 2024.
The Feasibility Study continues to
progress, or has completed, the following activities:
· Geotechnical testwork -
televiewer investigations and geotechnical rock testing completed
on the primary mining areas by RobertsonGeo to confirm known
historical structural and rock mass property data;
· Headframe structural
modelling and refurbishment completed by IMEC and Entech Mining /
RSV Group;
· Concept numerical modelling
of the proposed underground mining methods and stope designs
completed by MiningOne;
· Phase 1 of the metallurgical
testwork programme completed by Wardell Armstrong (mineralogy,
physical competency, characterisation XRT, heavy liquid separation
and gravity response testwork). Phase 2 of the testwork programme
(flowsheet development) is progressing well;
· Ground investigations for the
new mineral processing plant completed by AGS Ground
Solutions;
· Mineral processing plant
design and layout in advanced stages by Fairport Engineering,
incorporating the results of the metallurgical testwork programme
and potential future throughput expansions;
· Underground mine design and
optimisation completed using the September 2023 South Crofty
updated MRE;
· Concept mine ventilation
study, underground infrastructure design and hoisting analysis
completed;
· Concept engineering on paste
backfill options and sighter testwork completed by Paterson &
Cooke (UK);
· Feasibility Study level
engineering design for the paste backfill plant is
underway;
· Hydrogeology (Piteau
Associates), environmental, social, closure (SLR Consulting) and
market studies (Project Blue and CRU Group) completed;
and
· AMC Consultants (UK) has been
commissioned to review and provide overall Feasibility Study
sign-off.
Exploration drill programme
at Carn Brea South
A 9,000-metre exploration drill
programme commenced at the Wide Formation target in the Carn Brea
South exploration area. The drill programme
is designed to test the geometry and the continuity of tin
mineralisation within the recently discovered Wide Formation target
(refer news release dated January 10, 2023).
The mineralisation style in the Wide
Formation, comprising pervasive tourmaline and quartz (termed 'blue
peach'), is similar in character to that associated with No. 8
Lode, one of the most prolific tin producing lodes in the latter
years of operation of the South Crofty mine. The drill programme is testing an area measuring 2,500 metres
along strike (northeast to southwest) and 500 metres downdip (north
to south).
Drill results from the first six
holes (refer news release dated February 4, 2024) confirm the Wide
Formation structure over a 1.6km strike length, a downdip extent of
at least 525 metres and thicknesses ranging from 1.8 metres - 4.8
metres. The structure remains open. Notable tin intercepts from the
Wide Formation include 1.21 metres grading 0.87% Sn in
CB23_004.
Drilling also identified a new
mineralised structure lying directly beneath the Great Flat Lode
Splay, and several high-grade, steeply dipping tin zones between
the Great Flat Lode and the Wide Formation. Notable tin intercepts
from the newly identified Great Flat Lode Splay include 3.38 metres
grading 1.01% Sn in CB23_002.
Notable tin intercepts from multiple
steeply-dipping, high-grade tin zones mainly intersected between
the Great Flat Lode and the Wide Formation including 3.09 metres
grading 1.21% Sn in CB23_001.
To date, nine drill holes (totalling
approximately 6,119 metres) have been completed.
Departure of CEO, Richard
Williams
On March 15, 2024, the Company
announced the departure of CEO, Richard Williams, effective on
March 31, 2024, when he will also leave the Company's Board. Mr.
Williams will remain available to the Company on a consulting basis
going forward. Ken Armstrong, a non-executive director, will be
appointed as Interim CEO and Patrick Anderson, Chairman of the
Board, will become the Executive Chairman of the Company during the
transition and search for a permanent CEO to lead the Company
through the next stage of development of South Crofty as the
Company moves towards construction.
Appointment of Samantha
Hoe-Richardson as independent non-executive
director
On January 8, 2024, the Company
announced that Samantha Hoe-Richardson joined the Board of
Directors as an independent non-executive director
(refer news release dated January 8, 2024).
Ms. Hoe-Richardson is an experienced non-executive director from a
global mining, infrastructure and insurance background. She is
currently a non-executive director of Kew Soda Ltd, Assured
Guaranty UK Ltd, Ascot Underwriting Limited, 3i Infrastructure plc
and an independent advisor on climate change & sustainability
to Laing O'Rourke. Ms. Hoe-Richardson was Head of Environment &
Sustainable Development at Network Rail until 2017 and prior to
that spent 16 years at Anglo American plc, latterly as Head of
Environment. She previously worked in investment banking and audit.
Ms. Hoe-Richardson holds a Masters Degree in nuclear and electrical
engineering from the University of Cambridge, and is also a
non-practicing Chartered Accountant.
Financial highlights for the period ended December 31, 2023
and the year ended January 31, 2023
|
Eleven months
ended
December 31,
2023
|
Year ended
January 31,
2023
|
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
4,859,889
|
3,448,124
|
Loss before income taxes
|
2,887,255
|
1,202,257
|
Loss for the period
|
2,714,155
|
1,218,257
|
Net cash (used in) operating
activities
|
(2,732,773)
|
(3,607,008)
|
Net cash (used in) investing
activities
|
(28,164,958)
|
(10,318,376)
|
Net cash (used in) provided by
financing activities
|
(32,082)
|
61,657,081
|
Cash at end of the financial
period
|
25,791,552
|
55,495,232
|
· Increase in
operating costs impacted by higher insurance costs attributable to
more site-based activities primarily relating to the construction
of the WTP, related
dewatering and NCK shaft re-access
work;
· Interest income of
$1.7 million benefitted from increased interest rates being received on higher cash
balance following the Offering;
· Cash refund
received of $168,112 relating to research and development tax
credit arising from South Crofty drill programme completed in 2020,
with further applications underway for subsequent
activities;
· Expenditure of
$14.8 million incurred during the period on the construction of the
WTP and related dewatering equipment, as well as new or replacement
equipment for the mine;
· Dewatering costs
of $1.3 million incurred since October 2023 for power, reagents,
sludge disposal and maintenance of the WTP;
· Other project
related costs of $10.6 million incurred during the period relating
to the advancement of South Crofty to a potential construction
decision, primarily for the metallurgical drill programme, the
feasibility study and planning activities for dewatering and NCK
shaft re-access;
· Costs of $1.2
million incurred for the continuation of the exploration programme
at Carn Brea which re-commenced in June 2023; and
· Recognition of
foreign currency translation gain of $2.0 million for those assets
located in the UK when translated into Canadian dollars for
presentational purposes.
The Company changed its financial
year end from January 31 to December 31 to better
align the Company's financial reporting periods to that of its peer
group in the mineral resources sector. In addition, the calendar
year end coincides with traditional financial, taxation and
operational cycles. The change in year end takes
effect from December 31, 2023 with the result that the current
period of reporting is the eleven months ended December 31,
2023. The comparative period of reporting is the twelve
months ended January 31, 2023.
Outlook
As described above, the Company is
advancing the South Crofty tin project to a potential construction
decision. The Company's objectives are as follows:
· Dewater South
Crofty mine and refurbish NCK shaft by September 2025;
· Publish a PEA for
South Crofty in the second quarter of 2024;
· Complete a
Feasibility Study with the outcome of the PEA providing guidance
for the timing for the completion of the Feasibility Study and
outstanding work programmes;
· All study
components of the ongoing Feasibility Study, with the exception of
infill drilling, expected to be completed by the end of June
2024;
· Complete the
14-hole / 9,000 metre Wide Formation exploration drill programme,
and
· Commence basic and
detailed engineering studies, construction of the processing plant,
refurbishment of underground facilities and other on-site early
works.
The follow-up exploration drill
programme at the Wide Formation target at Carn Brea South will also
continue subject to the receipt of satisfactory drill
results.
Subject to the availability of
financing, consideration will also be given to continuing with the
Company's exploration programme at United Downs and evaluating
other high potential, exploration targets within transport distance
of the planned processing plant site at South Crofty.
The Company continues to target
first tin production from South Crofty mine by the end of 2026,
subject to securing project financing.
ABOUT CORNISH METALS
Cornish Metals is a dual-listed
company (AIM and TSX-V: CUSN) focused on advancing the South Crofty
high-grade, underground tin Project through to a construction
decision, as well as exploring its additional mineral rights, all
located in Cornwall, United Kingdom.
· South Crofty is a historical,
high-grade, underground tin mine that started production in 1592
and continued operating until 1998 following over 400 years of
continuous production;
· The Project possesses
Planning Permission for underground mining (valid to 2071), to
construct new processing facilities and all necessary site
infrastructure, and an Environmental Permit to dewater the
mine;
· South Crofty has the
4th highest grade tin Mineral Resource globally and
benefits from existing mine infrastructure including multiple
shafts that can be used for future operations;
· Tin is a Critical Mineral as
defined by the UK, USA, and Canadian governments, with
approximately two-thirds of the tin mined today coming from China,
Myanmar and Indonesia;
· There is no primary tin
production in Europe or North America;
· Tin connects almost all
electronic and electrical infrastructure, making it critical to the
energy transition - responsible sourcing of critical minerals and
security of supply are key factors in the energy transition and
technology growth;
· South Crofty benefits from
strong local community and regional and national government
support.
· Cornish Metals has a growing
team of skilled people, local to Cornwall, and the Project could
generate 250 - 300 direct jobs.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
The technical information in this
news release has been compiled by Mr. Owen Mihalop who has reviewed
and takes responsibility for the data and geological
interpretation. Mr. Owen Mihalop (MCSM, BSc (Hons), MSc, FGS,
MIMMM, CEng) is Chief Operating Officer for Cornish Metals Inc. and
has sufficient experience relevant to the style of mineralisation
and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which
he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined under
the JORC Code (2012) and as a Qualified Person under NI 43-101. Mr.
Mihalop consents to the inclusion in this announcement of the
matters based on his information in the form and context in which
it appears.
ON
BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
"Patrick F. N. Anderson"
Patrick F. N. Anderson
For additional information please
contact:
Cornish Metals
|
Fawzi Hanano
Irene Dorsman
|
investors@cornishmetals.com
info@cornishmetals.com
|
|
|
Tel: +1
(604) 200 6664
|
SP
Angel Corporate Finance LLP
(Nominated Adviser & Joint
Broker)
|
Richard Morrison
Charlie Bouverat
Grant Barker
|
Tel: +44 203 470 0470
|
|
|
|
Cavendish Capital Markets Limited
(Joint
Broker)
|
Derrick Lee
Neil McDonald
Leif Powis
|
Tel: +44 131 220 6939
Tel: +44 207 220 0500
|
|
|
|
Hannam & Partners
(Financial
Adviser)
|
Matthew Hasson
Andrew Chubb
Jay Ashfield
|
cornish@hannam.partners
Tel: +44 207 907 8500
|
|
|
|
BlytheRay
(Financial PR)
|
Tim Blythe
Megan Ray
|
tim.blythe@blytheray.com
megan.ray@blytheray.com
Tel: +44 207 138 3204
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX
Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this release.
Caution regarding forward
looking statements
This news release contains certain "forward-looking
information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively,
"forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements include
predictions, projections, outlook, guidance, estimates and
forecasts and other statements regarding future plans, the
realisation, cost, timing and extent of mineral resource or mineral
reserve estimates, estimation of commodity prices, currency
exchange rate fluctuations, estimated future exploration
expenditures, costs and timing of the development of new deposits,
success of exploration activities, permitting time lines,
requirements for additional capital and the Company's ability to
obtain financing when required and on terms acceptable to the
Company, future or estimated mine life and other activities or
achievements of Cornish Metals, including but not limited to:
mineralisation at South Crofty, mine dewatering expectations,
Cornish Metals' exploration drilling programme, exploration
potential and project growth opportunities for the South Crofty tin
project and other Cornwall mineral properties and the timing
thereof, timing and results of Cornish Metals' feasibility study,
the Company's ability to evaluate and develop the South Crofty tin
project and other Cornwall mineral properties, strategic vision of
Cornish Metals and expectations regarding the South Crofty mine,
timing and results of projects mentioned. Forward-looking
statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of
words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate",
"forecast", "expect", "potential", "project", "target", "schedule",
"budget" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may",
"will", "should", "could", "would" or "might" occur or be achieved
and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof.
All statements other than statements of historical fact included in
this news release, are forward-looking statements that involve
various risks and uncertainties and there can be no assurance that
such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and
future events could differ materially from those anticipated in
such statements.
Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially
different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements, including but not limited to: risks related to receipt
of regulatory approvals, risks related to general economic and
market conditions; risks related to the availability of financing;
the timing and content of upcoming work programmes; actual results
of proposed exploration activities; possible variations in Mineral
Resources or grade; outcome of the current Feasibility Study;
projected dates to commence mining operations; failure of plant,
equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour
disputes, title disputes, claims and limitations on insurance
coverage and other risks of the mining industry; changes in
national and local government regulation of mining operations, tax
rules and regulations. The list is not exhaustive of the factors
that may affect Cornish's forward-looking
statements.
Cornish Metals' forward-looking statements are based on the
opinions and estimates of management and reflect their current
expectations regarding future events and operating performance and
speak only as of the date such statements are made. Although the
Company has attempted to identify important factors that could
cause actual actions, events or results to differ from those
described in forward- looking statements, there may be other
factors that cause such actions, events or results to differ
materially from those anticipated. There can be no assurance that
forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and
accordingly readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place
undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Cornish Metals does
not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if
circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions
should change other than as required by applicable
law.
Market Abuse Regulation (MAR)
Disclosure
The information contained within this announcement is deemed
by the Company to constitute inside information pursuant to Article
7 of EU Regulation 596/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by
virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 as
amended.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL
POSITION
(Expressed in
Canadian dollars)
|
As at
December 31, 2023
|
As at
January 31, 2023
|
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
Current
|
|
|
Cash
|
$25,791,552
|
$55,495,232
|
Marketable securities
|
2,665,454
|
2,718,936
|
Receivables
|
1,112,638
|
656,407
|
Prepaid expenses
|
591,264
|
371,977
|
Deferred financing fees
|
135,242
|
-
|
|
30,296,150
|
59,242,552
|
|
|
|
Deposits
|
85,954
|
54,165
|
Property, plant
and equipment
|
23,788,325
|
9,721,352
|
Exploration and
evaluation assets
|
50,050,323
|
33,088,129
|
|
|
|
|
$104,220,752
|
$102,106,198
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued
liabilities
|
$
5,063,940
|
$
2,494,642
|
Lease liability
|
-
|
642
|
|
5,063,940
|
2,495,284
|
NSR
liability
|
9,064,817
|
9,149,804
|
|
14,128,757
|
11,645,088
|
SHAREHOLDERS'
EQUITY
|
|
|
Capital stock
|
128,394,652
|
128,377,152
|
Share subscriptions received in
advance
|
-
|
17,500
|
Capital contribution
|
2,007,665
|
2,007,665
|
Share-based payment reserve
|
711,690
|
384,758
|
Foreign currency translation
reserve
|
1,369,146
|
(648,962)
|
Deficit
|
(42,391,158)
|
(39,677,003)
|
|
|
|
|
90,091,995
|
90,461,110
|
|
|
|
|
$104,220,752
|
$102,106,198
|
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF LOSS AND COMPREHENSIVE
LOSS
For
the eleven month period ended December 31, 2023 and year ended
January 31, 2023
(Expressed in
Canadian dollars)
|
December 31, 2023
|
January 31, 2023
|
|
|
|
EXPENSES
|
|
|
Travel and marketing
|
$634,145
|
$515,166
|
Depreciation
|
-
|
443
|
Insurance
|
633,287
|
145,462
|
Office, miscellaneous and rent
|
175,164
|
102,540
|
Professional fees
|
1,048,676
|
744,585
|
Generative exploration costs
|
25,680
|
122,797
|
Regulatory and filing fees
Share-based compensation
|
86,760
205,026
|
164,798
-
|
Salaries, directors' fees and
benefits
|
2,051,151
|
1,652,333
|
|
|
|
Total
operating expenses
|
(4,859,889)
|
(3,448,124)
|
|
|
|
Interest income
|
1,695,837
|
417,136
|
Foreign exchange gain
|
394,621
|
758,216
|
Loss on the disposal of property, plant and
equipment
|
(921)
|
-
|
Gain on the disposal of royalty
|
-
|
318,147
|
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable
securities
|
(116,903)
|
752,368
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss before income taxes
|
(2,887,255)
|
(1,202,257)
|
Income tax recovery
(expense)
|
173,100
|
(16,000)
|
Loss for the period
|
(2,714,155)
|
(1,218,257)
|
|
|
|
Foreign currency
translation
|
2,018,108
|
(474,839)
|
Total comprehensive loss for the
period
|
$
(696,047)
|
$(1,693,096)
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted loss per share
|
$
(0.00)
|
$ (0.00)
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of common shares
outstanding:
|
535,269,215
|
456,262,207
|
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For
the eleven month period ended December 31, 2023 and year ended
January 31, 2023
(Expressed in
Canadian dollars)
|
December 31, 2023
|
January 31, 2023
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
Loss for the period
|
$
(2,714,155)
|
$
(1,218,257)
|
Items not involving cash:
|
|
|
Depreciation
|
-
|
443
|
Share-based compensation
|
205,026
|
-
|
Loss on the disposal of property, plant
and equipment
|
921
|
-
|
Gain on the disposal of
royalty
|
-
|
(318,147)
|
Unrealized loss (gain) on marketable
securities
|
116,903
|
(752,368)
|
Foreign exchange gain
|
(394,621)
|
(758,217)
|
Income tax expense (recovery)
|
(173,100)
|
16,000
|
|
|
|
Income taxes received during the
period
|
157,100
|
-
|
|
|
|
Changes in non-cash working capital
items:
|
|
|
Increase in receivables
|
(456,230)
|
(549,177)
|
Increase in prepaid expenses
|
(204,107)
|
(96,025)
|
Increase in accounts payable and accrued
liabilities
|
729,490
|
68,740
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in operating
activities
|
(2,732,773)
|
(3,607,008)
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
Acquisition of property, plant and
equipment
Acquisition of exploration and
evaluation assets
Increase in deposits
|
(14,192,068)
(13,942,740)
(30,150)
|
(2,729,942)
(7,576,717)
(11,717)
|
Net cash used in investing
activities
|
(28,164,958)
|
(10,318,376)
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
Proceeds from the Offering
|
-
|
65,135,746
|
Proceeds from option and warrant
exercises
|
-
|
411,222
|
Proceeds from the warrant exercises
received in advance of share issue
|
-
|
17,500
|
Share issue costs
|
-
|
(3,966,075)
|
Proceeds from the disposal of
royalty
|
-
|
63,147
|
Increase in deferred financing
fees
|
(31,359)
|
-
|
Lease payments
|
(723)
|
(4,459)
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) financing
activities
|
(32,082)
|
61,657,081
|
|
|
|
Change in cash during the period
|
(30,929,813)
|
47,731,697
|
Cash, beginning of the period
|
55,495,232
|
6,922,704
|
Impact of foreign exchange on cash
|
1,226,133
|
840,831
|
|
|
|
Cash, end of the period
|
$
25,791,552
|
$
55,495,232
|
|
|
|
Cash paid during the period for interest
|
$-
|
$-
|
|
|
|
Cash paid during the period for income taxes
|
$11,012
|
$-
|