PVG Pretium Resources Inc

Corporate Structure

The Company was incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the “BCBCA”) on October 22, 2010. Our head and registered office is located at Suite 2300, 1055 Dunsmuir Street, PO Box 49334, Vancouver, British Columbia, V7X 1L4.

We have two wholly-owned subsidiaries, Pretium Exploration Inc. and 0890696 B.C. Ltd., which hold our interests in the Brucejack Mine and the assets related thereto. Both subsidiaries were incorporated under the BCBCA.

History (2010 – 2017)

Pretivm was formed in late 2010 to acquire and advance the Brucejack Project.

In 2011, Brucejack property was drilled extensively in key target areas (72,144 metres in 176 holes), the camp at site was expanded and winterized, and rehabilitation work on the former access road from Highway 37 to the project was started, as well as the initial de-watering of the historic West Zone underground workings. Additionally, a Preliminary Economic Assessment on the Brucejack Project was completed.

The year 2012 saw an additional 105,769 metres of surface drilling completed in 306 holes, and with results continuing to demonstrate high-grade, visible gold. The West Zone de-watering process continued, and the widening of the underground workings in the West Zone commenced with the excavation of an underground ramp that would lead from the West Zone to the new heart of the Brucejack Project, the Valley of the Kings Zone (“Valley of the Kings”).

In 2013, the access road rehabilitation and the underground access ramp were completed, enabling us to proceed with a 10,000-tonne bulk sample from the Valley of the Kings. A positive feasibility study for an underground mine was completed in June. A total of 44,600 metres of drilling was completed, comprising 38,800 metres of underground drilling in 446 holes and 5,800 metres in 37 surface holes.

In 2014 the feasibility study was updated, and project engineering began along with mine permitting activities. Infill, exploration and condemnation drilling for site infrastructure totaled 11,920 metres in 41 holes.

We received our Environmental Assessment Certificate from the British Columbia Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Energy and Mines in March 2015, and a positive Federal Environmental Assessment Decision followed in July 2015. With the receipt of the major project permits, a substantial portion of the construction financing completed, a production decision was made, and construction-related activity ramped up in September 2015.

In September 2015, we completed a $540 million construction financing package comprised of a credit facility for $350 million (the “Construction Credit Facility”), a $150 million prepayment under an 8% callable gold and silver stream agreement (the “Stream Agreement”) and a private placement of Common Shares for $40 million. On December 18, 2018, we refinanced the Construction Credit Facility by way of the Loan Facility (defined below) and repurchased our obligation under the Stream Agreement for $237 million. See “– Debt Refinancing” below. In addition, as part of the construction financing package, we entered into an offtake agreement on September 15, 2015 (the “Offtake Agreement”). The Offtake Agreement applied to sales from the first 7,067,000 ounces of refined gold, which were to be sold to the offtake purchasers, in each case, at a price based on a market referenced gold price in U.S. dollars per ounce during a defined pricing period before and after the date of each sale. Pursuant to the terms of the Offtake Agreement, we had the option to reduce the offtake obligation on December 31, 2019 to 25% in exchange for a payment equal to $13 per ounce of refined gold for 75% of the ounces of refined gold remaining to be delivered under the agreement. In 2019, we repurchased 100% of the Offtake Agreement and eliminated our obligations thereunder in exchange for payment to the offtake counterparties in the aggregate amount of approximately $82 million. See “- Significant Developments (2018 – 2021) – 2019 Significant Developments” below).

Construction of the Brucejack Mine was completed in 2017. The final cost to construct the Brucejack Mine was $940.0 million. After achieving commercial production on July 1, 2017, we transitioned into operations at the Brucejack Mine and announced the achievement of steady state production in March 2018.

Significant Developments (2018 – 2021)

Over the three most recently completed financial years, the significant events described below contributed to the development of our business.

2018 Significant Developments

2019 Significant Developments

2020 Significant Developments

2021 Significant Developments

Operating Results for 2020

As previously announced, we reported a fatality resulting from an incident that occurred on July 31, 2020 at the Brucejack Mine. The tragic incident occurred during maintenance at a support facility on surface. The safety and well-being of our workforce is our most important core value and we have renewed our commitment to improve our safety performance and culture.

On February 25, 2021, we reported our operating results for the year ended December 31, 2020, as follows:

The following table summarizes our operating results for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

In 2021, we expect to continue to focus on advancing underground development to expand mine access at depth and to the west. The increased development should provide sufficient access to build the stope inventory required to allow mining operations to optimize gold production and additional platforms for resource expansion drilling. In addition, we will continue to apply our grade control program, with two reverse circulation drills in combination with diamond drills to provide more comprehensive data to define stope shapes.

COVID-19 Pandemic

Our primary commitment is the safety and health of our employees, contractors and neighbouring communities in northwest BC.

We established COVID-19 management plans and implemented enhanced protocols and preventative measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 at the onset of the pandemic to protect the well-being of our employees, contractors, their families, local communities and other stakeholders. We continue to follow the stringent COVID-19 infection prevention guidance and directives of federal, provincial and regional authorities in respect of general and mine site-specific protocols and are working in close partnership with our medical service provider, BC Northern Health and Indigenous partners.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Brucejack Mine has operated continuously under the directives provided by Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation Guidance to Mining and Smelting Operations during COVID-19; BC Ministry of Health, BC Centre for Disease Control: Protecting Industrial Camp Workers, Contractors, and Employers Working in the Agricultural, Forestry, and Natural Resource Sectors During the COVID-19 Pandemic (July 28, 2020); and all applicable orders issued by the Provincial Health Officer.

The Company incurred additional costs in 2020 related to employee salaries, travel costs, contractors and consultants to sustain operations with enhanced safety measures in effect. As the threat of COVID-19 remains a risk, we expect to continue to incur additional costs to safely sustain operations. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic and any future emergence and spread of similar pathogens could have a material adverse impact on our business, operations and operating results, financial condition, liquidity and the market for our securities. Refer to the “Risks and Uncertainties” section of this AIF.

Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources

2020 Updates

On March 9, 2020, we announced the 2020 Mineral Reserve, the 2020 Mineral Resource and the 2020 LOM Plan for the Brucejack Mine, which highlight the continued robust economics and the long-life of the Brucejack Mine. The effective date of the 2020 Mineral Reserve and 2020 Mineral Resource is January 1, 2020. The 2020 Updates are detailed in the Brucejack Report, which updates the operating parameters contained in, and supersedes, the 2019 Brucejack Report. See “Brucejack Project” in this AIF for details of the 2020 Updates.

Mineral Resource Expansion Underground Drilling Program

We have conducted additional drill programs since the close-out date of the 202o Updates. From October 1 to December 31, 2019, 134 drill holes were completed for a total of 23,171 metres. The drill programs included 7,749 metres of definition drilling and 15,422 metres of resource expansion drilling. Definition drilling targeted Domain 13, and resource expansion drilling targeted an extension of the Valley of the Kings style mineralization at depth and previously unidentified mineralization encountered during development of the main decline between the 1050 and 1020 levels.

In 2020, 587 drill holes were completed for a total of 100,318 metres. The drill programs included 57,440 metres of definition drilling, 41,175 metres of resource expansion drilling, and 1,703 metres of near mine exploration drilling (note: the 1080 level drilling has been reclassified as resource expansion drilling). Definition drilling targets included Domain 13 and Domain 20, the Brucejack Fault Zone, and the P1 Domain. Resource expansion drilling tested for an extension of Valley of the Kings style mineralization at depth, drilled from the 1080 level, and the newly identified North Block Zone. Near mine exploration drilling targeted a magnetotellurics anomaly at depth below the West Zone.

On February 25, 2021, we announced that high-grade gold mineralization has been intercepted in the first resource expansion drill program completed at the Brucejack Mine since commercial production commenced in 2017. A total of 27,780 metres has been completed in the North Block since the program commenced in the third quarter of 2020. The following is a summary of the results from Phase 1 of the North Block drilling program. See our news release dated February 25, 2021 for more information, including assay results.

High-grade gold mineralization was identified in three new areas during Phase 1 drilling of the North Block Zone in 2020, with four intersections assayed above 1,000 grams per tonne gold. Results include high-grade gold mineralization intercepts up to 300 metres from the current resource shell, including 19.3 grams per tonne gold over 9.0 metres in VU-2792 and 2,590 grams per tonne gold over 1.0 metre in VU-2794.

All samples were submitted for preparation and analysis by ALS Chemex at its facilities in Terrace, B.C. All samples were analyzed using multi-digestion with ICP-MS finish and fire assay with AA finish for gold. Samples over 100 ppm silver were reanalyzed using four acid digestion with an ore grade AA finish. Samples over 1,500 ppm silver were fire assayed with a gravimetric finish. Samples with over 10 ppm gold were fire assayed with a gravimetric finish. One in 20 samples was blank, one in 20 was a standard sample, and one in 20 samples had a sample cut from assay rejects assayed as a field duplicate at ALS Chemex in North Vancouver, B.C. ALS Chemex is independent of Pretivm.

The North Block Zone is located directly to the north of the Valley of the Kings deposit. The Mineral Resource expansion program conducted in 2020 was designed to test for Valley of the Kings style mineralization to the north and at depth. Phase 1 of the program was drilled from the 1050-metre level in the Brucejack Mine to target an area extending up to 300 metres north of the current resource shell. Phase 2 of the program was also drilled in 2020 to target an area up to 450 metres north of the current resource shell, and those drill results are pending.

Phase 1 of the North Block resource expansion program comprised 7,011 metres in 38 drill holes. Drilling identified three new zones: (1) an extension of the Domain 13 Stockwork, which is currently being mined in the Valley of the Kings, (2) a newly identified corridor of gold mineralization in the footwall of the Domain 13 structure, located 300 metres north of the current resource shell, and (3) a previously unidentified zone of gold mineralization located within 50 metres of existing development.

2022 Updates

We expect to release an updated Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimate and revised Life of Mine Plan in the first half of 2022. The 2020 Mineral Resource model includes portions of the January 2019 and December 2013 Mineral Resource models that have required the application of the Mine Call Factor in the Mineral Reserve. The 2022 Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve will update the entire modelling area of the Valley of the Kings Zone with the available results of the extensive 2021 drill program, and will incorporate previous drilling, coupled with knowledge gained from more than three years of mining.

Exploration and Evaluation Assets

Our exploration and evaluation assets include the Bowser Claims that surround the Brucejack Mine; however, see “- Change in Accounting Policy” below.

The Bowser Property is located southeast of the Brucejack Mine and comprises 1,220 square kilometres. An extensive regional exploration campaign was initiated in 2015 to identify mineralized zones similar to the Valley of the Kings and Eskay Creek deposits. To date, the comprehensive regional exploration program has included the collection of over 15,700 samples, regional mapping, prospecting, airborne geophysics, ground geophysics, hyperspectral mapping, and data compilation.

The 2020 regional grassroots exploration program included 25,350 metres of diamond drilling completed in four mineralized zones across the Bowser Claims. The highlight from the program was the discovery of epithermal-style gold mineralization in the Hanging Glacier Zone, located four kilometers northwest from the Brucejack Mine. This new zone of gold mineralization demonstrates the district-scale potential at Brucejack. The results from the 2020 regional grassroots exploration program are summarized by zone below. See our news release dated December 16, 2020 for more information, including assays from the program.

All samples were submitted for preparation and analysis by ALS Chemex at its facilities in Terrace, B.C. All samples were analyzed using multi-digestion with ICP-MS finish and fire assay with AA finish for gold. Samples over 100 ppm silver were reanalyzed using four acid digestion with an ore grade AA finish. Samples over 1,500 ppm silver were fire assayed with a gravimetric finish. Samples with over 10 ppm gold were fire assayed with a gravimetric finish. One in 20 samples was blank, one in 20 was a standard sample, and one in 20 samples had a sample cut from assay rejects assayed as a field duplicate at ALS Chemex in North Vancouver, B.C. ALS Chemex is independent of Pretivm.

Hanging Glacier Zone

The Hanging Glacier Zone comprises two areas – North Hanging Glacier and South Hanging Glacier – defined by anomalous gold in soil samples that extend over 1.5 kilometres by 1.0 kilometre. Drilling at Hanging Glacier tested two high-grade gold in soil anomalies assaying up to 3.21 grams per tonne gold and followed up on mineralization intersected during the 2015 exploration program.

At North Hanging Glacier, drilling intersected gold mineralization hosted in pyrite localized along a monzonitic porphyry intrusion. The 2020 discovery hole, BR-107, assayed 1.3 grams per tonne gold over 101.0 metres. A 100-metre northwest step out hole, BR-132, assayed 2.1 grams per tonne gold over 102.0 metres, including 9.55 grams per tonne gold over 13.0 metres, showing lateral continuity of the gold mineralization along the porphyry contact.

At South Hanging Glacier, drilling intersected broad intervals of low-grade gold hosted in disseminated pyrite. An epithermal-style, quartz-carbonate vein intersected in Hole BR-112 hosted native gold and pyrargyrite, assaying 8.97 grams per tonne gold and 5,150 grams per tonne silver over 1.0 metre. Drilling at South Hanging Glacier is located further from the porphyry contact, showing the potential size of the epithermal system.

A6 Zone

The A6 Anomaly Zone is located approximately 14 kilometres northeast of the Brucejack Mine. Drilling in 2020 included 19 drill holes totaling 11,883 metres, and the results continue to define a large hydrothermal system within an altered rhyolite dome. In West A6, Hole BR-092 intersected a 0.10-metre interval of massive pyrite mineralization. The massive pyrite was not anomalous for precious or base metals, indicating that the current drilling is still distal from a productive hydrothermal vent, requiring additional geophysics.

Koopa Zone

The Koopa Zone is located approximately 30 kilometres east-southeast of the Brucejack Mine. Drilling in 2020 tested deeper parts of the epithermal system. These holes continued to intersect strongly altered Iskut River Formation, and gold and silver mineralization is hosted in two generations of quartz veins. The 2020 drilling results show that veining density and the grade of mineralization continue consistently to depth.

Haimila Zone

The Haimila Zone is located approximately 23 kilometres southeast of the Brucejack Mine. Drilling in 2020 tested a zone of porphyry-style propylitic alteration. Two holes were drilled, totaling 788 metres. One of these holes, BR-146, intersected narrow quartz and chalcopyrite veins.

Change in Accounting Policy

Effective January 1, 2021, the Company will adopt a voluntary change in its accounting policy for exploration and evaluation expenditures. The Company will recognize these costs as exploration and evaluation expenses in the statement of earnings (loss) in the period incurred until management concludes the technical feasibility and commercial viability of a mineral deposit. Costs that represent the acquisition of rights to explore a mineral deposit will continue to be capitalized. Prior to January 1, 2021, all exploration and evaluation expenditures were capitalized as exploration and evaluation assets.

Management believes this change in accounting policy will result in a preferable policy that is better aligned with the International Financial Reporting Standards, with respect to what constitutes an asset and more consistent with its peer group.

The Company will adopt the change in accounting policy retrospectively and restate balances for comparative periods. The Company will reclassify all post acquisition exploration and evaluation expenditures that have been capitalized to mineral properties, plant and equipment prior to the demonstration of technical feasibility and commercial viability. Initial acquisition costs of the Brucejack Mine and the Snowfield Property are unaffected by the change in policy. The change in policy will materially affect the opening deficit and accumulated other comprehensive loss as of January 1, 2019, mineral properties, exploration and evaluation assets, depreciation and depletion included in inventories, cost of sales, loss on sale of exploration and evaluation asset and deferred income taxes.

The change in accounting policy will impact exploration and evaluation expenditures incurred on the Brucejack Mine subsequent to acquisition to September 21, 2015. It will also impact exploration and evaluation expenditures incurred on the Snowfield Property subsequent to acquisition and regional drilling and exploration work on the Bowser Claims and the Porphyry Potential Deep Drilling Project.

Sale of the Snowfield Property

On December 4, 2020, the Company entered into a Property Purchase Agreement (the “PPA”) with KSM and Pretium Exploration Inc., pursuant to which the Company sold 100% of its interest in the Snowfield Property along with the related technical data, drill core and samples, machinery and equipment and other assets that we own in relation to the Snowfield Property (the “Snowfield Assets”). The consideration received by the Company in exchange for the Snowfield Assets comprised of the following:

KSM is entitled to deduct and offset $15,000,000 of the Contingent Payment against amounts payable to the Company under the Royalty. The Royalty is subject to standard and customary payment, audit and information rights in favour of the Company and a right of first refusal in favour of KSM in the event of a proposed transfer of the Royalty by the Company. KSM granted to the Company a mortgage on the Snowfield Assets and all after acquired property related to the Snowfield Assets as security for the obligations of KSM to make Royalty payments and the Contingent Payment.

In the event that KSM wishes to utilize or construct tunnels under a certain claim adjacent to the Snowfield Property held by the Company in connection with the construction, development or operation of a mine on the Snowfield Property or the KSM Project, upon the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent, the Company has agreed pursuant to the PPA that it will consent to and take commercially reasonable efforts to support KSM’s application to the relevant governmental authorities for authorizations to give effect to the proposed utilization and/or tunneling.

The Company and KSM provided customary representations and warranties to one another under the PPA, which survive the closing of the PPA for two years, and each agreed to indemnify the other against any losses suffered by the other as a result of any breach of a covenant or representation or warranty contained in the PPA, subject to customary exceptions and limitations.

2021 Exploration Programs

Two exploration programs are planned for 2021: a definition and expansion program adjacent to the Brucejack Mine infrastructure, and a near-mine exploration program.

The 2021 Brucejack definition and expansion drill program is anticipated to total approximately 195,000 metres of drilling comprised of in-reserve definition drilling (40%), in-resource and sustaining drilling (20%) and resource expansion drilling (40%). Underground resource expansion and exploration drilling will target near-mine zones with the potential to extend mineralization underground towards the West Zone, Galena Hill, Gossan Hill, and Bridge Zone. Initially, six drills are planned to be deployed underground, with an additional two surface drills to be added during the summer.

The near-mine exploration program will focus on the new discovery at Hanging Glacier, which is easily accessible from the Brucejack Mine using existing exploration trails. A 10,000-metre surface drill program is planned to delineate the high-grade gold corridors and test for higher-grade, epithermal-style veins higher up in the stratigraphy. A high-resolution drone magnetic survey and an induced polarity (“IP”) survey are also being planned to further delineate the monzonitic porphyry intrusion and aid in targeting along the mineralized contacts.

Additional near-mine exploration efforts will focus on the four-kilometre trend of highly-altered rocks which outcrop from Hanging Glacier Zone northwest of the Brucejack Mine to Bridge Zone located southeast of the mine. Generative exploration work, including prospecting, soil sampling, and geophysical surveys, will be conducted to test the potential of these zones and develop new near-mine exploration targets. An additional 8,000 metres of surface drilling is planned to test these zones and expand upon the mineralization potential surrounding the Brucejack Mine.

Specialized Skills and Knowledge

The nature of our business requires specialized skills and knowledge. We operate an underground mining operation in northern British Columbia with variable gold mineralization, which requires technical expertise in the specific areas and as such, we employ a number of people with extensive experience in geology, engineering, mine planning, metallurgical processing, mine operations, environmental compliance, sustainability, exploration and development, and accounting.

In order to attract and retain personnel with the specialized skills and knowledge required for our operations, we maintain competitive remuneration and compensation packages. To date, we have been able to meet our staffing requirements.

Employees

Throughout 2020, there were an average of 54 people employed at Pretivm’s corporate head office in Vancouver, BC, 18 people employed at Pretivm’s office in Smithers, BC and 744 people employed directly by Pretivm at the Brucejack Mine. Majority of these individuals were permanent full-time employees. Most temporary positions were associated with surface operations at the mine, including labourers and heavy equipment operators. In addition to those employed directly by Pretivm, a number of contractors at the mine site employed an average of 230 people throughout the year. In total, Pretivm and its primary contractors had a workforce of 974 people, on average throughout 2020.

Pretivm’s workforce in 2020 stayed relatively steady throughout the year. While seasonal workers continue to be an important part of the workforce, opportunities extended between the snow removal activities in the winter and exploration activities in the summer. Some seasonal workers transition between these seasonal departments.

Due to the rotational nature of employment at the Brucejack Mine, there may be two people for the majority of positions at site. We are committed to providing, where possible, employment opportunities with members of the local communities and First Nations.

Competitive Conditions

The precious metal mineral exploration and mining business is competitive, including with respect to mineral properties that can be developed and produced economically, technical experts that can find, develop and mine such mineral properties, labour to operate the mineral properties, and capital to finance exploration, development and operations. We compete with numerous other companies, including many large established mining companies having substantial capabilities and greater financial and technical resources than us. Our current focus is on gold production at the Brucejack Mine and as such, we are subject to certain advantages and disadvantages related to various factors, including the price of gold. See “Risk Factors” below.

Cycles

Year-round operations in northern British Columbia present certain challenges, particularly in the winter months when inclement weather conditions are not uncommon. We believe we have adequately accounted for such challenges in our business and operational plans; however, there are risks associated with such operations. See “Risk Factors” below.

Environmental and Social Policies

We have adopted several policies concerning environmental stewardship, health, safety, and the overall welfare of people. These policies include the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”), the Environmental Policy, Health and Safety Policy, Fitness for Duty Policy, Social Responsibility Policy, the Workplace Discrimination, Bullying and Harassment Policy, the Human Rights Policy and the Diversity Policy.

The Code was most recently updated in February 2021 and embodies our commitment to ethical principles and sets out our responsibilities to our shareholders, employees, lenders and other stakeholders.

Our Code addresses general business ethical principles, conflicts of interests, special ethical obligations for employees with financial reporting responsibilities, confidentiality and communications of corporate information, protection and proper use of corporate assets, compliance with laws, rules, regulations and policies, safety and environmental protection, workplace safety, discrimination, bullying and harassment, anti-corruption and bribery, treatment of inside information and compliance with insider trading laws, reporting of any illegal or unethical behavior, and other relevant issues. The Code can be found on our website and is available under our profiles on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

In addition, our Board has adopted a Complaint Reporting and Whistle Blower Policy and implemented a complaint reporting and whistleblower hotline (website and telephone-based), which is operated by an independent third-party. The hotline is available for individuals to report complaints and concerns regarding, among other things, violations of the Code and our policies. As well, we have an Anti-Corruption Policy, which requires that our directors, officers, employees, contractors and others conduct business in a manner that does not contravene anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws, including the Criminal Code (Canada), Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (Canada) and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (United States).

Our health and safety, environmental and sustainability activities are overseen by the Safety, Sustainability and Technical Committee of the Board.

Environmental

The Brucejack Mine has been developed in accordance with stringent federal and provincial requirements to protect the natural environment throughout the course of exploration, mining, processing and closure activities. These requirements address our compliance with regulatory standards, mitigation measures, and the pursuit of optimal practices for operating our mine, camps and access road.

We are committed to maintaining environmental protection practices compliant with applicable laws and contractual obligations, and to practicing environmental stewardship which seeks to minimize the impact of our operations on the environment. In furtherance of this commitment, we have developed Environmental Management Plans (“EMPs”) to operate Brucejack in a manner in accordance with our corporate Environmental Policy and regulatory requirements. The primary EMPs include plans for management of water quality and aquatic effects; air quality; metal leaching and acid rock drainage; wildlife; vegetation; and heritage resources, as well as plans for emergency spill response; chemicals and materials storage and handling; waste management; invasive plants management; and chemicals management plans for the mine water treatment plant. We review these plans annually and update them as needed to continually improve our management practices. Our approach to adaptive management is based on monitoring and adapting our practices to respond to changing conditions at site and as new and increasingly efficient technologies become available.

Water and air discharges from the mine are closely monitored internally and through third-party consultants and governmental inspections. Water quality and flows are monitored both at the points of discharge and at multiple locations in the downstream receiving environment. Additional aquatic effects monitoring of both the downstream environment and a reference site is conducted and assessed to confirm that the downstream aquatic receiving environment is not being affected by our activities. There is also monitoring in effect for impacts on vegetation and terrestrial wildlife. The monitoring regime for Brucejack extends through the mine life and closure stages.

The efficient use of energy, resources and materials is integral to the design and operation of our facilities. Conservation efforts in the development of the Brucejack Mine included:

We require that all employees, contractors and suppliers comply with our corporate commitments to protect the natural environment, and to that end we provide them with the resources and training necessary to fulfill their responsibilities.

Health and Safety

Health and safety is the primary consideration governing our activities at the Brucejack Mine and our corporate offices. Pretivm’s safety management initiatives emphasize effective safety leadership, accountability, and a proactive approach to risk recognition. We have implemented health and safety policies and practices with respect to our operations at the Brucejack Mine, which include the maintenance of a drug and alcohol-free environment. Safety awareness education is conducted at the mine site on a daily basis to instill the competency in our workforce to identify, understand, and manage risk in the remote site operating environment. On-the-job training related to safety at the Brucejack Mine is continuously provided to Pretivm employees and contractors on site, including basic first aid, food safety, the workplace hazardous materials information system, mine rescue, avalanche training, and other relevant topics. The Fitness for Duty Policy forbids the consumption or possession of alcohol or drugs at site, and supervisors are trained to identify drug and alcohol use on the job. Pretivm offers an Employee Assistance Program which provides additional health and wellness support on and off the Brucejack Mine site. We believe that safe operating practices are a shared responsibility among our management, employees, contractors and community visitors. We are all committed to the implementation of health and safety practices to ensure our own personal safety and the safety of our fellow employees.

The safety and well-being of our workforce is our most important core value and we have renewed our commitment to improve our safety performance and culture. In furtherance of this commitment, we will be implementing an enhanced Health and Safety Management System and offering Positive Attitude Safety System (PASS) training for our personnel in 2021.

Community

Our Social Responsibility Policy describes the principles that guide our activities in the area of community relations, and the policy is framed by two detailed management plans under our permits that govern the formal aspects of relationship management: (i) The Economic and Social Effects Mitigation Plan addresses the scope of our initiatives for employment, training and contracting in the region; and (ii) the Aboriginal Consultation Plan outlines our communication plans and commitments in the area of First Nations engagement.

The design, development and construction of the Brucejack Mine involved extensive and ongoing consultation with local indigenous groups, all levels of government in Canada and the state of Alaska, as well as the general public. This process of engagement and consultation ensures that the conduct of our project activities meets the expectations set out in our Environmental Assessment Certificate and related conditions and has established the framework for ongoing dialogue to ensure community concerns are understood and addressed appropriately.

We maintain engagement with communities by:

We are committed to hiring locally for all positions whenever possible and work directly with community employment coordinators to connect locals with job opportunities at the Brucejack Mine and support their continued success. We are striving to leverage our role in the region for meaningful and long-lasting benefits to local individuals and communities. We are working in partnership with relevant government and educational institutions in northern British Columbia to identify gaps in local labour force capacity where we can focus training and development strategies. Our shared goal is to prepare workers for roles in mining and beyond and foster the transferrable skills which will benefit the region for the longer term.

Pretivm has been a corporate citizen of northern British Columbia since it was first formed in late 2010 to advance the Brucejack Project. As the Brucejack Project grew in scope, so did the need for supplies and services, which has benefitted the businesses in the region. Many of these businesses are based in the commercial centres of Terrace and Smithers as well as the district of Stewart, New Hazelton, and other surrounding communities. We have sourced locally for food and fuel for Brucejack camps, as well as office supplies and vehicle renting and leasing. We have engaged local companies who provide services related to road maintenance, transportation, medical response, electrical trades, environmental controls and monitoring, drilling, camp buildings and supplies, as well as construction-related contracting including steel supply and installation. We will continue to look first to local suppliers as part of our procurement strategies during operations.

Human Rights

In 2020, we adopted a Human Rights Policy to codify our responsibility to promote the respect of human rights in all of our business activities. In discharging this responsibility, we will: not discriminate against any individual based on any legally protected characteristic unrelated to the individual’s job performance; conduct human rights assessments to identify and manage human rights risks and potential impacts; engage our stakeholders and local communities for input and feedback related to our human rights management; maintain formal mechanisms to receive and handle complaints related to human rights matters; consider human rights risks and impacts in major investment decisions; respect human rights related to working conditions, freedom of association, freedom of speech, collective bargaining, maximum working hours, minimum wages, peaceful assembly, and equal opportunity; regularly review our performance on human rights matters; conduct human rights training for senior leaders and management; and publicly communicate our Human Rights Policy and our management approach and performance.

Our Human Rights Policy does not supersede applicable laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which we carry on business, and we are committed to comply with all such laws while honoring the spirit of international human rights principles.

Diversity

In order to attract and retain a diverse workforce, we are committed to providing an environment which embraces diversity and in which all employees are treated with fairness and respect and have equal opportunities available to them. We believe that diversity makes good sense for business and a diversified workforce and inclusive work culture enhances innovation, increases productivity and, ultimately, contributes to the achievement of our corporate objectives. We believe that our commitment to diversity will enable us to attract individuals with the best skills and attributes and to develop a workforce whose diversity reflects the communities in which we operate.

Our workforce is made up of individuals of varied gender, background, skills, values and experiences. Our Diversity Policy, adopted in 2015, recognizes that a diverse and inclusive environment that values the varied perspectives of its workforce facilitates a broader exchange of ideas and leads to greater organizational strength. In early 2021, we amended our Diversity Policy to reflect the progress in our commitment to diversity, commensurate with our growth as a Company. In doing so, we established clear objectives and a minimum target for the representation of female directors on our Board of 30%, to be achieved within three years of our next annual meeting of shareholders.

Permitting and Environmental

Our development, exploration and operating activities are subject to various levels of federal, provincial and municipal laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment, including requirements for closure and reclamation of mining properties.

There are specific statutory and regulatory requirements and standards that must be met throughout the exploration, development and operations stages of a mining property with respect to air quality, water quality, aquatic ecosystems and wildlife protection, solid and hazardous waste management and disposal, noise, land use and reclamation. We believe our operational, development and environmental plans adequately address the environmental risks associated with our operations and that we currently have in place appropriate safeguards to protect the environment.

We have operated in material compliance with our environmental approvals and have successfully administered a rigorous environmental monitoring and reporting program.

In relation to the Brucejack Mine, as at December 31, 2020, the Company has $55,000 of restricted cash in the form of Guaranteed Investment Certificates and Letters of Credit as security deposits with various government agencies in relation to decommissioning and restoration provisions. In support of the closure plan for the Brucejack Mine, the Company holds total surety bonds of C$31.7 million in favour of the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. The Company was not required to provide collateral for the surety bonds.

In addition, the Company has a liability for remediation of current and past disturbances associated with the exploration, development and production activities at the Brucejack Mine. The decommissioning and restoration provision, as at December 31, 2020, is $26.0 million. Most of the expected expenditures to settle the decommissioning and restoration provision are anticipated to commence in 2033, after the end of the mine life.

We believe we have appropriately accounted for the costs associated with our environmental protection, monitoring and controls; however, environmental regulations are evolving in a manner which tends to impose higher standards with respect to permitting and environmental controls, as well as stricter enforcement of non-compliance penalties for companies and their directors, officers and employees with respect to compliance.

We may be required to post additional security in respect of our environmental obligations. Any changes to the current environmental regulatory regime to which we are subject may result in increased costs and decreased production and revenue in the future, which could adversely affect our earnings and competitive position. See “Risk Factors” below.

Indebtedness

Convertible Debenture

In February 2017, we completed an offering of $100 million aggregate principal amount of 2.25% unsecured convertible senior subordinated notes due in March 2022 (the “Notes”), which included the exercise of the full amount of the over-allotment option of $10 million aggregate principal amount of Notes. The Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, dated as of February 14, 2017 (the “Indenture”). The Notes will mature on March 15, 2022.

Pursuant to the terms of the Notes, we are required to pay 2.25% interest per annum on the principal amount of the Notes semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on September 15, 2017. Interest on the Notes accrues from and including February 14, 2017 or from and including the last date in respect of which interest has been paid or provided for, as the case may be, to, but excluding, the next interest payment date or maturity date, as the case may be.

The initial conversion rate for the Notes is 62.5 Common Shares per $1,000 principal amount of Notes, equivalent to an initial conversion price of $16.00 per Common Share. Subject to earlier redemption or purchase, holders may convert their Notes at any time until the close of business on the business day immediately preceding March 15, 2022. A holder that surrenders Notes for conversion in connection with a “make-whole fundamental change” (as defined in the Indenture) or a notice of redemption may in certain circumstances be entitled to an increased conversion rate.

At any time on or after March 20, 2020, we may redeem all or part of the Notes for cash, but only if the last reported sale price of our Common Shares for 20 or more trading days in a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the trading day prior to the date we provide notice of redemption exceeds 130% of the conversion price in effect on each such trading day. The redemption price will equal to the sum of 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date. We may also redeem the Notes upon the occurrence of certain changes to the laws governing Canadian withholding taxes. In addition, we will be required to offer to purchase for cash all of the outstanding Notes upon a fundamental change, as further set out in the Indenture, at a purchase price in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be purchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the fundamental change purchase date.

Pursuant to the terms of our Credit Agreement (as defined herein), payment in full at maturity or prepayment at any time of all or any part of the principal and accrued interest owing under the Notes is subject to our pro forma compliance with financial covenants set out in the Credit Agreement. See “– Debt Refinancing” below.

The Notes are our unsecured senior subordinated obligations and are subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our existing and future senior indebtedness. The Notes will also be effectively subordinated to all of our existing and future secured indebtedness and all existing and future liabilities of our subsidiaries, including trade payables.

The net proceeds of the Notes offering were used for working capital during start-up of the Brucejack Mine and for general corporate purposes.

Debt Refinancing

On December 18, 2018, we refinanced our Construction Credit Facility by way of a $480 million Loan Facility with a syndicate of financial institutions, including BNS, SGAS and ING. The terms and conditions of the Loan Facility are set out in the Credit Agreement dated as of December 18, 2018 among the Company, as borrower, the lenders from time to time parties thereto, BNS, as Administrative Agent, BNS, ING and SGAS, as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners, and ING and SGAS, as Co-Syndication Agents (the “Credit Agreement”).

The Loan Facility is comprised of a $250 million Term Facility and a $230 million Revolving Facility. The Term Facility and the Revolving Facility are available by way of U.S. dollar LIBOR loans, with an interest rate ranging from 2.5% to 3.5% over LIBOR based on the Company’s net leverage ratio or U.S. dollar base rate loans with an interest rate ranging from 1.5% to 2.5% over the administrative agent’s base rate based on the Company’s net leverage ratio. The Revolving Facility is also available in various other forms, including Canadian prime loans, bankers’ acceptances and bankers’ acceptance equivalent loans, and letters of credit. The Revolving Facility is subject to a standby fee.

The term of the Loan Facility is four years with a maturity date of December 18, 2022. The Term Facility is being repaid in equal quarterly installments of principal in the amount of $16.67 million commencing at the end of the second quarter of 2019. The Revolving Facility required a principal repayment of $30 million on June 18, 2019, at which time the Revolving Facility was reduced to $200 million. The remaining principal of the Revolving Facility will be repaid as a bullet payment in full on the maturity date. The undrawn portion of the Loan Facility at December 31, 2020 was $160.4 million with $1.6 million used for a letter of credit supporting a reclamation deposit requirement.

The Company is permitted to make prepayments on the Loan Facility at any time, on customary notice, without premium or penalty; subject to LIBOR breakage, if any, costs and customary minimums. In addition, the Credit Agreement requires mandatory prepayment of the Loan Facility or a portion thereof from certain net insurance proceeds received in the event of loss of any tangible property, assets or undertaking forming part of the Brucejack Mine property. Amounts prepaid on the Term Facility, whether in connection with voluntary or mandatory prepayments, cannot be re-borrowed and shall be applied in inverse order of maturity.

The Loan Facility includes standard and customary finance terms and conditions with respect to, among others, fees, representations, warranties, and covenants, including certain reporting requirements, which, if not met, could result in an event of default. The financial covenants under the Loan Facility include maintenance of a minimum interest coverage ratio of 4.00:1.00, a maximum leverage ratio of 3.50:1.00, and minimum tangible net worth and liquidity thresholds. In addition, at any time while the Notes remain outstanding, the Company is required to maintain (a) on or after June 30, 2021 but before September 30, 2021, minimum liquidity of $50 million, (b) on or after September 30, 2021 but before December 31, 2021, minimum liquidity of $75 million, and (c) on or after December 31, 2021, minimum liquidity of $100 million.

The Loan Facility is subject to standard and customary negative covenants, including, among others, restrictions on indebtedness, certain acquisitions, and payments such as (but not limited to) dividends, distributions or returns of capital with respect to the Common Shares, and payments on account of purchase, redemption, retirement or other acquisition of any of the Company’s securities, subject to various exemptions, including but not limited to:

The Company is in compliance with all financial and operating covenants under the Loan Facility as at the date of this AIF.

The Credit Agreement includes standard and customary events of default, including any abandonment, loss or termination of the Brucejack Mine or any material property or right in connection therewith or suspension of mining operations thereon or if the Company or any of the guarantors offers to prepay the Permitted Unsecured Debt.

The Loan Facility was used to refinance the Construction Credit Facility in the amount of approximately $423 million. The additional funds from the Loan Facility and cash on hand generated from operating activities were used to repurchase the Company’s obligation under its callable 8% gold and silver stream for $237 million, which was sold by the Company as part of the construction financing package, and for working capital. During 2020, the Company repaid $226.7 million of the Loan Facility using cash generated from operations and proceeds from the sale of the Snowfield Property.

Principal Markets and Distribution

The Company sold its refined gold to counterparties to its Offtake Agreement until September 15, 2019. The purchasers under the Offtake Agreement paid for refined gold based on a market referenced gold price in U.S. dollars per ounce during a defined pricing period before and after the date of each sale. Currently, the Company sells its refined gold on spot contracts to financial institutions in Canada and its concentrates to trading companies. The Company sells its silver to refineries located in Canada and other jurisdictions and trading companies. The Company evaluates the counterparties to which it sells its product. The Company is not economically dependent on a limited number of customers for the sale of its gold and silver as its products can be sold through numerous world-wide commodity markets, traders and financial institutions.

BRUCEJACK PROJECT

Unless stated otherwise, the following disclosure relating to the Brucejack Project is based on information derived from the Brucejack Report, the NI 43-101 compliant technical report on Brucejack with an effective date of March 9, 2020. Reference should be made to the full text of the Brucejack Report, which is available electronically on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com under our SEDAR profile, as the Brucejack Report contains additional assumptions, qualifications, references, reliances and procedures which are not fully described herein. The Brucejack Report is the only current NI 43-101 compliant technical report with respect to the Brucejack Project and supersedes all previous technical reports.

The Brucejack Project is located on the Brucejack Property, which consists of four mining leases and six mineral claims currently totalling 3,306 hectares. The mining leases have a 30-year term from September 2015 and are subject to annual lease rental payments due in September of each year. All mineral claims are in good standing until January 31, 2032.

Project Description and Location

The Brucejack Property is centred at approximately latitude 56°28’20”N by longitude 130°11’31”W, approximately 950 kilometres northwest of Vancouver, 65 kilometres north-northwest of Stewart, and 21 kilometres south-southeast of the Eskay Creek Mine. Ten mineralized zones are currently recognized on the Brucejack Project area, extending from the Hanging Glacier Zone in the north to the Bridge Zone in the south. Although five of these zones have been explored in some detail (West Zone, Valley of the Kings Zone, Bridge Zone, Gossan Hill Zone, and Shore Zone), mining is focused on just the two zones for which there are current Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves: the Valley of the Kings Zone and the West Zone.

The Company acquired our 100% interest in the Brucejack Project and the adjacent Snowfield Project in December 2010, pursuant to a purchase and sale agreement with Silver Standard Resources Inc. (now known as SSR Mining Inc.) (“Silver Standard”). The Brucejack Project, not including mining lease no. 1038600, is subject to a 1.2% net smelter returns royalty in favour of Franco-Nevada Corporation (“Franco-Nevada”) on production in excess of 503,386 ounces of gold and 17,907,080 ounces of silver.

Mining lease no. 1038600 is subject to a 2% net smelter return royalty, minimum annual payments of C$50,000 with a buy out provision of C$4 million per 1%, for a total buyout of C$8 million. Mining lease 1038600 does not cover any of the area within the current mine plan.

There are no known environmental liabilities or other significant risks or factors that may affect access, title, or the ability or right to operate the mine or perform work on the Brucejack Property, beyond the geopolitical, economic, permitting, and legal climate that the Company operates in and the Company’s ability to secure any required approvals, consents, and permits under applicable legislation.

Property Location and Access Map

Accessibility, Climate, Local Resources, Infrastructure and Physiography

Accessibility

The Brucejack Project is located in the Boundary Range of the Coast Mountain Physiographic Belt.

The Company constructed a 73 km access road that links Brucejack Camp to Highway 37 at km 215, approximately 60 km north of Meziadin Junction (the “Brucejack Access Road”). From Highway 37 the road crosses the Bell Irving River to Wildfire Camp and then traverses Wildfire Creek valley to the headwaters of Scott Creek, traverses along Scott Creek valley to Bowser River valley and then proceeds along Bowser River valley to Knipple Glacier, a distance of 58 km. A 12 km road is established along Knipple Glacier to the headwaters of the Brucejack Creek watershed at which point the road extends 3 km to the mine site.

Provincial permits and federal authorization of the mine prohibit public use of the Brucejack Access Road. A gate is located at the Highway 37 junction, and security screening is undertaken at Wildfire Camp. Along the Brucejack Access Road, an approximately 5,000 ft aerodrome has been established at Bowser Aerodrome 5 km east of Knipple Camp (Lake). Personnel, equipment, fuel and camp provisions are driven to a staging area at Knipple Camp, before being taken over the glacier to the Brucejack Camp.

The Brucejack Property area is also easily accessible with the use of a chartered helicopter from the town of Stewart, or seasonally from the settlement of Bell II. The flight time from Stewart is approximately 30 minutes and slightly less from Bell II; however, Stewart has the advantage of having an established year-round helicopter base.

The larger communities of Smithers and Terrace, located 326 km and 300 km respectively by road, provide hubs for mine personnel to live and airports for out-of-the-region staff to commute to site. Charter busses provide transport from these communities and other communities along Highway 16 to the Brucejack Mine.

Rail traffic can load and unload in Terrace, and port facilities at Stewart and Prince Rupert are available for off-shore transport.

Climate

The climate is typical of northwestern British Columbia with cool, wet summers, and relatively moderate but wet winters. Annual temperatures range from +20°C to -20°C. Precipitation is high with heavy snowfall accumulations ranging from 10 metres to 15 metres at higher elevations and 2 metres to 3 metres along the lower river valleys. Snowpacks cover the higher elevations from October to May. The optimum field season is from late June to mid-October.

Infrastructure

All resources are brought into the mine and remote camps via the Brucejack Access Road. Infrastructure along the Brucejack Access Road includes camps at Wildfire and Knipple and Bowser Aerodrome, 5 km east of Knipple Lake. At the mine, the camp comprises accommodation for 542 with recreational, office, and multiple support facilities. The nearest off-site infrastructure is located in the town of Stewart, approximately 65 km to the south, which has a minimum of supplies and personnel. The towns of Terrace and Smithers are also located in the same general region as the Brucejack Property, and both are directly accessible by daily air service from Vancouver.

The nearest railway is the Canadian National Railway Yellowhead route, which is located approximately 220 km to the southeast. This line runs east-west and terminates at the deepwater port of Prince Rupert on the west coast of BC.

Stewart, BC, the most northerly ice-free shipping port in North America, is accessible to store and ship concentrates. At the effective date of the Brucejack Report, the Brucejack Mine ships concentrate via this terminal.

A BC Hydro high-voltage, 138 kV transmission line services Stewart, BC. The Long Lake transmission line extends north from Stewart and connects their generating facilities with a BC Hydro high-voltage transmission line. The 57 km Brucejack transmission line extends from the Long Lake generation station to the mine via the Knipple Substation. Electric power is stepped down at the Knipple Substation from 138 to 69 kV and is then delivered to the Brucejack Mine site. Emergency power is available from diesel generators located at the Brucejack Mine site.

Mine infrastructure and infrastructure along the road are permitted under a variety of permits for water use and camps with land use held under various Licenses of Occupation. Tailings storage and waste rock are permitted under discharge permits with adequate storage capacity in Brucejack Lake. The access road is permitted under a provincial Special Use Permit.

History and Exploration

The earliest known prospecting in the Brucejack Lake area occurred in the 1880s. In 1935, copper-molybdenum mineralization was discovered on the Sulphurets Property by prospectors in the vicinity of the Main Copper Zone, approximately 6 km northwest of Brucejack Lake; however, these claims were not staked until 1960. From 1935 to 1959, the area was relatively inactive with respect to prospecting; however, it was intermittently evaluated by a number of different parties and resulted in the discovery of several small copper and gold-silver occurrences in the Sulphurets-Mitchell Creek area. In 1959, Granduc Mines Ltd. (“Granduc”) and Alaskan prospectors staked the main claim group, covering the known copper and gold-silver occurrences, which collectively became known as the Sulphurets Property. This was the start of what could be termed the era of modern exploration.

Various operators explored the area beginning in 1980, including the completion of an extensive development and underground drilling program on the West Zone between 1986 and 1991 by the Newcana Joint Venture among Granduc, Newhawk Gold Mines Ltd. (“Newhawk”) and Lacana Mining Corporation.

In 1994, exploration on the Bruceside Property consisted of detailed mapping. Sampling, trenching, and drilling were on the ten best and highest priority targets on the property (including the West Zone).

In 1999, Silver Standard acquired Newhawk, and with it, Newhawk’s 100% interest in the Snowfield Property and 60% interest in the Bruceside Property and created separate projects for the Snowfield and Brucejack deposits. In 2001, Silver Standard acquired Black Hawk Mining Inc.’s 40% direct interest in the Bruceside Property, resulting in 100% interest in the Bruceside Property, which it subsequently renamed the Brucejack Property.

Silver Standard initiated exploration on the Brucejack Property in 2009. The program included drilling, rock-chip and channel sampling, and re-assaying of historical drill core pulps. Results of this work confirmed that assay data from the majority of the historical drillholes on the Brucejack Property (849 out of 901 holes targeting five zones) were suitable for use in geological modeling and resource estimation. A total of 17,964 m in 37 diamond drillholes were completed during the 2009 field season. Twelve drillholes were targeted at what would become the Valley of the Kings Zone.

The 2010 drill program, which totaled 33,480 m in 73 drillholes, was designed to continue definition of bulk tonnage mineralization on the Brucejack Property and to determine the nature and continuity of the high-grade mineralization intersected in the Valley of the Kings Zone. Approximately one third of the 2010 drilling targeted the Valley of the Kings Zone and included gold intersections of up to 5,850 g/t Au over 1.5 m. The bulk tonnage drilling achieved its intended goal when a sizeable Mineral Resource was estimated for the Brucejack Property. The relatively dense drilling from the bulk tonnage drilling program, with drill spacings of 100 m by 100 m to 50 m by 50 m, formed the basis upon which the bulk tonnage resource model was built. Numerous high-grade intervals were intersected as part of this drilling, which allowed for the initial delineation of high-grade mineralization trends and preliminary domain definition in the Valley of the Kings Zone. In 2010, Silver Standard sold the Snowfield and Brucejack Properties to the Company.

In 2011, a bulk-tonnage resource update was released with an initial high-grade resource for the Valley of the Kings Zone. An additional high-grade resource estimate, with sensitivity testing, was released in November. Brownfield exploration included detailed surface geological mapping, limited surface sampling, and limited geophysics. A total of 178 diamond drillholes were completed, totaling 72,805 m. The program targeted previously defined high-grade intersections primarily in the Valley of the Kings Zone (60% of the total), but also in the Gossan Hill Zone, Shore Zone, West Zone, and Bridge Zone targets. Dewatering of the historical West Zone underground development was carried out to assess the condition of the workings and determine if the workings could be used as a launching point for a development drive to the Valley of the Kings Zone.

In 2012, detailed brownfields surface geological mapping and associated supplementary surface geochemical sampling was continued. A total of 301 drillholes were completed, totaling 105,500 m of drilling during the 2012 drilling program. Zones within 150 m of surface were drilled at 12.5 m centers, with the deeper parts (down to about 350 m below surface) being drilled at approximately 25 m centers. Drilling at greater depths was generally only able to reliably achieve 50 m centers. The results of the 2012 drilling were incorporated into a revised Mineral Resource. This resource estimate formed the basis for a feasibility study on the Brucejack Property, which was completed in June 2013.

In 2013, a total of 24 surface diamond drillholes (5,200 m) were completed on the main and eastern parts of the Valley of the Kings Zone. An additional 575 m of shallow geotechnical drilling was conducted in 13 drillholes. The Company extracted a 10,000 t bulk sample to further evaluate the geological interpretation and resource estimate for the Valley of the Kings Zone. Geological mapping (face, back, and ribs), channel, and chip sampling were conducted on a round-by-round basis for all the underground workings developed as part of the bulk sample.

Bulk sample material from each round (approximately 100 t) was sampled through a sampling tower, and all the material mined was sent as defined rounds to the Contact Mill in Philipsburg, Montana, for processing. A total of 5,923 oz Au were produced from 10,302 t of bulk sample material processed through the mill at an average grade of 17.88 g/t Au. The results provided confidence in the November 2012 Mineral Resource and were used for parameter calibration and confidence classification in the December 2013 resource estimates for the Valley of the Kings Zone (the “December 2013 Mineral Resource”).

A total of 16,500 m of underground drilling was conducted to augment the bulk sample results by drilling off a larger area around the bulk sample workings on the 1345 m Level. Drilling was conducted on approximately 7.5 m centers over an area of 120 m east-west by 60 to 90 m north-south by 120 m vertically. Additional underground exploration drilling was conducted to test targets outside of the bulk sample area. Underground drilling totaled 38,840 m in 409 drillholes.

Surface geological mapping and supplementary surface geochemical sampling was continued, albeit with a more greenfields exploration goal than in previous years. The majority of this exploration was conducted on our claims outside of the Brucejack Property area.

In 2014, approximately 11,200 m of surface drilling in 12 drillholes testing the mineralization potential at depth beneath the Valley of the Kings Zone was conducted. Geotechnical drilling totaled 725 m in 15 drillholes.

An airborne magnetic and radiometric survey was conducted over the Brucejack Property and the wider Company claim area by Precision GeoSurveys Inc. (“Precision”). Approximately 750-line km (of a total 1,185-line km) were flown at a 200 m line spacing over the Brucejack Property. Line spacings of between 400 m and 500 m were flown on the broader Company claim area. A Scintrex Cs vapour CS-3 magnetometer and an IRIS were used to collect the data.

Additional Spartan MT data were acquired from both the Snowfield and Brucejack Properties in August and September by Quantec Geoscience Ltd. This work was aimed at targeting porphyry and epithermal mineralization and improving geological knowledge on the two property areas. Following 1D and 3D inversion modelling of the data, a total of ten conductive feature anomalies were identified, the most significant of these on the Brucejack Property being beneath the large flow foliated latite dome to the east of the Valley of the Kings Zone (the “Flow Dome Zone”). These features were interpreted as reflecting increased alteration with abundant sericite content. Results of the geophysical surveys were used for enhanced structural interpretations as well as porphyry and epithermal deposit vectoring, targeting, and exploration program planning.

A total of 605 surface rock outcrop grab, chip, and channel samples were collected on the Brucejack Property.

Our main focus between 2015 and 2017 was on the permitting, financing, construction, and commissioning of the Brucejack Mine. Brucejack Property exploration between 2015 and 2018, consequently, largely targeted resource and reserve expansion of the Valley of the Kings Zone through underground drilling.

In 2015, limited surface exploration drilling (8,380 m in 10 drillholes and two wedges) was conducted on the Brucejack Property, with 6,199 m in 8 drillholes (including two wedges) targeting the Flow Dome Zone. Other zones targeted included the Hanging Glacier Zone (987.33 m in three drillholes) and one drillhole in the South Zone. Surface mapping and limited surface sampling of the Flow Dome Zone augmented the drilling. Results of this drilling highlighted the continuation of Valley of the Kings Zone style phyllic alteration and electrum mineralization beneath the main part of the Flow Dome Zone, as well as isolated occurrences of relic potassic and propylitic alteration, bornite, and chalcopyrite. The drilling did not intersect the interpreted causative porphyry.

Additional airborne geophysical surveys were conducted as part of the Company’s claim block-wide airborne survey by Precision between July and October 2015, as a follow-up to the 2014 airborne survey. Although no new magnetic or radiometric lines were flown over the Brucejack Property in 2015, 1TEM electromagnetic data were obtained as part of Block 2 of this survey. The Block 2 survey was flown at a 200 m spacing between lines, with most of the lines flown in an east-west direction. Two of six north-south tie lines (spaced at 4,500 m) were flown over the Brucejack Property. Results of the survey over the Brucejack Property indicated the presence of an extensive hydrothermal footprint in this area, characterized by elevated conductivity. Known mineralized zones on the Brucejack Property are located within the elevated conductivity footprint. All of the 2015 surface diamond drillholes drilled into this footprint intersected extensively altered (generally phyllic alteration) and anomalously mineralized rocks. The electromagnetic data are being used in conjunction with other geological and geophysical data for brownfield exploration targeting.

In 2018, underground exploration drilling aimed at connecting the Valley of the Kings Zone to the Flow Dome Zone and testing the porphyry potential at depth beneath the Flow Dome Zone was conducted from the 1200 m Level in the Brucejack Mine. A total of 3,138 m was drilled in two underground exploration drillholes. Results of this drilling showed that Valley of the Kings Zone-style mineralization and alteration was continuous from the Brucejack Mine to the Flow Dome Zone. Anomalous copper and molybdenite mineralization coincided with a zone of relic potassic alteration between 1,400 and 1,485 m downhole depth in drillhole VU-911 and occurs more diffusely over a broader area in drillhole VU-820. The key to intersecting the source porphyry is to highlight the extent of the porphyry to epithermal transition zone and its potential for additional Valley of the Kings Zone-style electrum mineralization, in addition to assessing the gold potential of the source porphyry.

Additional ground-based geophysical surveys were conducted as part of the 2018 Flow Dome Zone exploration program by Frontier Geosciences Inc. (“Frontier”). A total of 8,560 m of surface IP and 6,640 m of reflection seismic ground surveys were conducted on four lines across the Brucejack Property in 2018. Both IP and seismic surveys were conducted on each of the three northeast-southwest trending lines, with only IP being conducted on the north-northwest trending linking line. Survey results were used in conjunction with other geological and geophysical data for brownfield exploration targeting in 2019.

In 2019, underground exploration drilling to further investigate the extent of the epithermal system and potential porphyry source continued. A total of 8,810 m of drilling was completed in six underground exploration drillholes from the 1200 m; 1130 m; and 1110 m Levels in the Brucejack Mine. The results of this drilling demonstrated the continuity of gold mineralization below the Valley of the Kings Zone, with visible gold mineralization observed more than 500 m below the current Valley of the Kings Zone resource.

During the initial stages of the 2019 exploration drilling program, the focus remained on testing exploration targets beneath the Flow Dome Zone. Drill core samples at various depth intervals in the exploration drillholes were collected and analyzed for chlorine content in apatite, which was observed to increase with depth down-hole. At the same time, analysis of a suite of rock chip samples collected from stations at various elevations within the underground mine showed that gold content in electrum and iron content in sphalerite both increased with depth in the underground mine. Collectively, these geochemical trends were interpreted as being consistent with higher temperatures approaching a porphyry source; furthermore, the porphyry source may be more centrally located than previously thought, located deep beneath the Valley of the Kings Zone epithermal gold deposit.

To further aid exploration efforts, a review of previously collected magnetotelluric resistivity data was completed by Quantec Geoscience Ltd., producing a series of 2D inversions displaying subsurface resistivity trends along north-south and east-west oriented section lines. Section line BJ19-03 identified a large, ‘pipe-like’, low-resistivity anomaly located approximately 200 m north of the Valley of the Kings Zone that extended from surface to a depth of 1,360 m (from 1,400 to 40 m elevation). Drilling results showed an interval of highly anomalous copper mineralization between 1,200 to 1,122 m, occurring within a broader interval of weak copper mineralization from 1,150 to 1,415 m depth. Additional drilling was done to investigate the alteration and mineralization observed and continued into 2020.

Additional ground-based IP geophysical surveying was conducted by Frontier in 2019, as a follow-up to the surface geophysical survey completed in 2018. The survey consisted of a large-scale, 3D IP survey that covered approximately 19.8 km, over 9 separate lines.

Geological Setting

The gold-silver deposit incorporating the Valley of the Kings Zone and the West Zone (the “Brucejack Deposit”) is situated on the western side of the Stikine Terrane of the Canadian Cordillera. Stikinia is the largest and westernmost of several exotic terranes in the Intermontane morphogeologic belt of the Canadian Cordillera. Stikinia is interpreted as a Philippine-style intra-oceanic island arc terrane, formed between mid-Palaeozoic to Middle Jurassic time, when it was accreted to the North American continental margin. Western Stikinia was subsequently affected by thin-skinned deformation during Cretaceous accretion of the outboard Insular Belt terranes.

The Brucejack Deposit is part of the Sulphurets Mineral District, located on the eastern limb of the north-plunging McTagg Anticlinorium, the northern closure of the Stewart-Iskut Culmination. Volcanic arc-related rocks of the Triassic Stuhini Group form the core of the anticlinorium and are successively replaced outwards by volcanic arc-related rocks of the Jurassic Hazelton Group and clastic basin-fill sedimentary rocks of the Middle Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous Bowser Lake Group. A major unconformity separates the Stuhini and Hazelton Group rocks. As a consequence of its location relative to the axis of the culmination, Brucejack Deposit rocks are tilted and generally display a progressive younging towards the east.

The Brucejack Deposit area is largely underlain by volcano-sedimentary rocks of the Lower Jurassic Hazelton Group. These rocks unconformably overlie volcanic arc sedimentary rocks of the Upper Triassic Stuhini Group along the western-most part of the Brucejack Project area. The rocks are variably altered and deformed, with zones of intense quartz-sericite-pyrite (phyllic) alteration being associated with increased deformation due to preferential strain partitioning in sericite-rich zones.

A north-south trending, broadly arcuate, concave-westward 0.5 to 1.5 km wide band of variably phyllic-altered rocks and associated quartz stockwork extends over 5 km across the Brucejack Property area. The band straddles the late-stage brittle faults that are likely of Tertiary age and which represent reactivated older structures (the “Brucejack Fault”) across the Brucejack Project area, shifting from the west side of the fault in the north of the Brucejack Project area to the fault’s east side further south. The phyllic alteration typically contains between two and 20% pyrite, affects rocks from the bottom to the top of the lithological sequence, and, depending on the alteration intensity, can preclude protolith recognition. More than 40 mineralization showings, associated with the alteration band, have been identified on the Brucejack Project area, highlighting the exceptional exploration potential of the area.

Mineralization

Visible gold and silver mineralization in the Brucejack Deposit occurs as electrum and is predominately hosted in quartz-carbonate to carbonate vein and vein breccia structural corridors within broader stockwork zones. Additionally, low-grade (less than 5 g/t) gold mineralization occurs sub-microscopically in vein- and wall rock-hosted arsenian pyrite (invisible gold) throughout the Valley of the Kings Zone and possibly within the West Zone as well. Electrum-bearing quartz-carbonate veins and stockwork overprint and are co-spatial with earlier porphyry-related phyllic alteration in the Brucejack Deposit.

The Valley of the Kings Zone is currently defined over 1,200 m in east-west extent, 700 m in north-south extent, and 650 m in depth. Deep drilling has indicated that the alteration, mineralization, and veining in this zone extend to a depth of at least 1,100 m. Mineralization in the Valley of the Kings Zone is open to the east, west, and at depth. Deep exploration drilling conducted under the Flow Dome Zone in 2018 was successful in confirming the presence of Valley of the Kings Zone-style mineralization from the eastern edge of the Valley of the Kings Zone to beneath the Flow Dome Zone, which lies approximately 1,000 m further east. The West Zone is currently defined over 590 m along its northwest strike, 560 m across strike, and down to 650 m in depth, is open to the northwest, southeast, and at depth to the northeast. The Valley of the Kings Zone contains higher gold and lower silver grades than the West Zone.

Precious metal mineralization is ubiquitous throughout the vein systems; however, its continuity is not correlated to any specific geologic continuity; although mineralized structural corridors can be continuous on the metres- to tens-of-metres scale, the within-vein gold and silver distribution is highly erratic. Nevertheless, the distribution and grade of precious metal mineralization within the mineralized structural corridors within the broader stockwork system is of significant economic interest.

Mineralized Zones

Valley of the Kings Zone

Six stages of veining have been recognized in the Valley of the Kings Zone. Discontinuous, deformed, and variably oriented pyrite-quartz-calcite stringer veinlets represent the earliest stage of veining (Stage I). These veinlets are widespread in zones of phyllic alteration and may represent D-type veinlets associated with early porphyry-style alteration. Stage II veins are translucent to white, discontinuous, microcrystalline quartz veinlets found exclusively within pervasively silicified rocks. Stage I and II veins are pre-mineral with respect to precious metal mineralization as they are always cut by electrum-bearing epithermal veins. Electrum mineralization occurs in quartz-carbonate (Stage III), base metal sulphide-quartz-carbonate (Stage IV), and manganoan calcite (Stage V) sheeted veinlets, veins, vein breccia, and vein stockwork. Stages III-V veins are considered to have formed coevally as they display complex multiple overprinting relationships. Barren, thrust-related quartz-chlorite veins and tension gashes (Stage VI) cut all earlier vein generations and are likely mid-Cretaceous in age. Stage III veins increase in abundance at depth, to the west, and to the east in the Valley of the Kings Zone.

Stages III to V veins are locally undeformed to weakly deformed but display pinch-and-swell textures in high strain zones. Classic epithermal vein textures, including crustiform banding, sparse cockade textures, and vugs are locally present in Stage III and IV veins. Electrum in all mineralized vein stages occurs in a variety of textures, including common fine- to coarse-grained dendrites, lesser amounts of coarse subhedral clots and aggregates, and uncommon fine- to medium-grained, subhedral to euhedral sheet- to plate-like crystals. The ratio of electrum varies significantly, with each of the three main mineralized vein stages displaying unique gold/silver signatures, ranging from 30 to 70% Au. Stage V veins typically contain electrum with the highest proportion of gold, whereas Stage IV veins contain predominantly silver-rich electrum that is locally chemically zoned (gold-rich cores surrounded by silver-rich rims). There does not appear to be any significant compositional zonation of electrum as a function of spatial location.

West Zone

Mineralization and veining in the West Zone were investigated in the late 1980s and early 1990s by Newhawk and research geologists. These studies documented mineralization and vein parageneses broadly similar to that described above for the Valley of the Kings Zone, with two notable exceptions: ore stage veins have a lower modal abundance of electrum and higher modal abundance of base metal sulphide and silver sulphosalt minerals and, therefore, a lower gold/silver ratio than those in the Valley of the Kings Zone, and the mineralogy of pre-mineralization-stage veining in the West Zone is different to that of the Valley of the Kings Zone: Stage I veinlets in the West Zone are represented by potassium feldspar-quartz veinlets.

Deposit Types

The Brucejack Deposit is interpreted to be a deformed porphyry-related transitional to intermediate sulphidation epithermal high-grade gold-silver vein, vein stockwork, and vein breccia deposit that formed between 184 to 183 Ma. High-grade gold-silver mineralization was formed in association with a telescoped, multi-pulsed magmatic-hydrothermal system beneath an active local volcanic center.

The Brucejack Deposit has many characteristics in common with intermediate sulphidation epithermal systems. Intermediate sulphidation epithermal systems occur in calc-alkaline andesite-dacite arcs and can be spatially associated with porphyry systems and individual volcanic centers. Brownfield exploration drilling from 2018–2019 tested the porphyry potential below the Valley of the Kings Zone and in the Flow Dome Zone.

Mineralization in these systems is overwhelmingly hosted in veins, sheeted veins, vein stockwork, and vein breccia, with gold-silver occurring as electrum. Whilst the majority of these types of epithermal systems form in arcs with neutral to extensional tectonic environments, Victoria (the gold-rich type example) and the giant Baguio Au district (both in the Philippines) were formed in a compressive island arc. The Brucejack Deposit appears to have formed in a compressive island arc setting. Intermediate sulphidation epithermal deposits contain significant quantities of precious metals. The Brucejack Deposit has similarities in terms of vein style, mineralization paragenesis, and alteration to the Fruta del Norte high-grade gold deposit in Ecuador (greater than 155 t Au) and the Porgera gold deposit in Papua New Guinea (greater than 660 t Au).

2019 Drilling

Underground diamond drilling conducted on the Brucejack Property in 2019 included exploration (deep drilling) and resource expansion (15 to 30 m centers) fan drilling in the Valley of the Kings Zone. The majority of this drilling was HQ diameter core drilling aimed at improving resolution for increased confidence in the Valley of the Kings Zone Mineral Resource. Underground resource drilling included 113,507 m in 727 underground diamond drillholes; 555 of these holes had results available at the time of resource cut-off for a total of 81,060 m. Surface resource expansion diamond drilling totaled 2,298 m in 18 drillholes; two holes had assay data for a total of 239 m of assayed core at the time of resource cut-off. Underground deep exploration diamond drilling totaled 8,810 m in six drillholes, one of which was a wedge hole. Assay data for four of these holes were available at the time of resource cut-off, corresponding to a total of 6,025 m. The deep exploration drillholes were drilled from the underground mine towards the east, southeast, and north to test the depth extension potential of the Valley of the Kings Zone mineralization, and for porphyry-style mineralization and other geochemical indicators that may help vector towards a potential source porphyry at depth.

The updated drillhole database provided includes an additional 555 HQ diamond drillholes for a total of 89,121 additional drilled metres, and at the time of cut-off represented 86,719 m of new assay data.

The resource expansion drilling (15 to 30 m spacing) conducted during 2019 was designed to expand and upgrade the Valley of the Kings Zone resource in the southern, western, and northwestern portions of the deposit. Drilling was completed in two phases with phase one being drilled from the 1170 m; 1140 m; and 1110 m Levels, and phase two was drilled from the western end of the 1320 m Level. Phase two was still ongoing at the writing of the Brucejack Report. Phase one drilling was primarily completed towards the southwest, targeting an area between the 1050 m and 1200 m Levels across the Valley of the Kings Zone. Phase two drilling targeted a large area between the western extents of the Valley of the Kings Zone development and the Brucejack Fault between the 1200 m and 1380 m Levels. A surface resource drilling program commenced in the fall of 2019 to increase confidence in mineralized domains in the upper levels of the Valley of the Kings Zone.

The resource fan drilling conducted during 2019 was designed to increase the drill density within the Brucejack resource and to test mineralized domains to depth in the south, the west, and northwest of the Valley of the Kings Zone. The drilling confirmed the geological interpretation of continuous, dominantly east-southeast-west-northwest trending structural vein and vein stockwork corridors containing ubiquitous, yet highly variable and erratically distributed gold and silver mineralization in the Valley of the Kings Zone.

The deep exploration drillholes drilled in 2019 were successful in demonstrating the presence of Valley of the Kings Zone-style mineralization at depth. They were also successful in intersecting porphyry-style alteration and mineralization at depth.

Sampling, Analysis and Data Verification

HQ diameter diamond drillcore samples were collected at intervals of 1 to 1.5 m in length for surface and underground exploration drillholes, as well as for underground resource definition and infill drillholes. Reverse circulation samples were collected as part of the underground reverse circulation drillhole trial conducted in early 2018. Two, 2 kg dry reverse circulation sample splits were collected from a cyclone splitter directly into pre-labelled plastic sample bags every 1.52 m. Whole core samples were sent to the ALS Global (“ALS”) facility in Terrace, BC for sample preparation. Analysis was completed by the ALS Vancouver laboratory in North Vancouver, BC. Secondary lab checks were completed at MS Analytical in Langley, BC. These laboratories are all independent of the Company.

The Company’s quality assurance (“QA”) / quality control (“QC”) protocols for the Brucejack Deposit included tests for data accuracy, precision, and sample cross-contamination using duplicates (coarse and pulp duplicates), coarse blanks, and certified standards. Additional coarse blank samples were inserted immediately following samples with logged visible gold to quantify and avoid any potential cross-contamination between samples during laboratory sample preparation. QA/QC assay data checks were completed on a regular basis by the database manager. Pulp checks were requested where certified standard samples had 3SD accuracy fails in Au mineralized areas. Re-assay results from QA/QC checks were imported and assigned precedence in the database. QA/QC reporting was completed in-house by the database manager and reviewed by the QP (defined herein). The QA/QC analysis indicated acceptable levels of accuracy and precision, similar to previous years.

The QP, Mr. I.W.O. Jones, P.Geo., FAusIMM has conducted sufficient data and underground verification checks to satisfy himself that the drilling, core logging, sample handling, assaying, and data QA/QC procedures were conducted using industry best practices and that the data generated were of suitable quality for use in resource modelling and estimation of the Brucejack Deposit. It is the QP’s opinion that the sample preparation, sample security, and analytical procedures are satisfactory and appropriate for generating data of suitable quality for use in resource modelling and estimation of the Brucejack Deposit. Furthermore, Mr. Jones considers the geological interpretation to be appropriate and representative of the mineralization in the Brucejack Deposit.

Mineral Processing and Metallurgical Testing

Extensive metallurgical testing programs have been conducted on the Brucejack Property since 1988, with major metallurgical test work performed between 2009 and 2014 to support the design and construction of the 2,700 t/d process plant at the Brucejack Mine. Tetra Tech completed a test work review and process design descriptions for the previous feasibility study. Since commercial operations began in 2017, additional test work and process simulations have been completed to support the current operation, including support for the process plant throughput increase to a target capacity of 3,800 t/d.

The previous test work was conducted to investigate mineralization amenability to gravity concentration, gold-silver bulk flotation, and cyanidation processes. Sample characteristics, including chemical composition, mineralogy, and hardness, as well as other processing tests, including melting and solid liquid separation (“SLS”) tests, were also carried out. The tested samples were obtained from the Valley of the Kings Zone, the West Zone, and adjacent gold deposits such as the Galena Hill Zone, the Gossan Hill Zone, and others.

The test results indicate that most of the individual samples responded well to gravity separation, which consisted of a centrifugal separation and panning concentration. The test results also showed that the tested samples responded well to bulk flotation and cleaner flotation. With further verification tests on variability samples and locked-cycle tests on composite samples from the Valley of the Kings Zone and the West Zone, a conventional process using combined gravity concertation and flotation on gravity tailings was recommended for the Brucejack Mine.

To confirm the recommended process design, between September 2013 and February 2014, Strategic Minerals LLC processed two batches of bulk mineral samples generated from the Valley of the Kings Zone at the Contact Mill facility located in Philipsburg, Montana. Samples totalling 11,500 t were processed. A combined process of gravity separation and rougher/scavenger flotation with rougher concentrate cleaner flotation was employed to treat the bulk material. The gravity circuit included a Knelson concentrator and a Gemini table, while a jigging and tabling circuit to recover coarse free gold was also added when high-grade material was fed to the mill. No regrind circuit was applied to the rougher/scavenger concentrates. The test results confirmed that the combined gravity and flotation method can effectively recover gold and silver from the materials with widely varied head grades.

Beginning in 2017, a series of test work was conducted to support the Brucejack Mine process plant optimization and throughput increase. The test work covered mineralogy analysis, grindability, gravity separation, intensive leaching, and flotation concentration. SLS tests and tailings paste backfill related tests were also performed. The results were used to optimize the current process plant operation and to assess the performance of the relevant circuits in the proposed 3,800 t/d throughput scenario.

The metallurgical tests confirmed that significant amounts of gold and silver are gravity recoverable, which varies with the mineralization and gold head grades. Several simulations were conducted to evaluate primary grinding, gravity, flotation, and concentrate and tailings thickening processes for the 3,800 t/d plant capacity expansion. Results indicate that the primary grinding circuit is capable of reaching the target throughput capacity of 3,800 t/d. With further optimization of the grinding operation parameters, the grinding efficiency is anticipated to be improved. The existing cyclones and slurry handling systems could readily accommodate the increased throughput through minor modifications.

According to the simulation results, the primary gravity circuit may reach its recommended capacity at the increased throughput, which may slightly affect the recovery of the gravity recoverable gold and silver. For the current flotation circuit, the rougher and scavenger existing cells should be able to provide sufficient flotation retention time to handle the 3,800 t/d throughput. However, the capacity of the second and third cleaner flotation cells will require some upgrades to accommodate the increased throughput, in particular the second cleaner flotation cell. According to the existing circuit layout and flotation cell sizing, it is recommended to convert the existing third cleaner flotation cell to the second cleaner flotation (two, 15 m³ tank cells operating in series) and to install a new 30 m³cell for the third cleaner flotation.

The process flowsheet used for the current mine operation is a combination of conventional gravity concentration and bulk sulphide flotation to recover gold and silver into gold doré and gold-silver bearing flotation concentrates. Ore was first introduced to the mill in May 2017 with a focus on ramping up to the designed production throughput using ore from low-grade ore stockpiles. On July 1, 2017, the Company declared commercial production at the Brucejack Mine.

Mineral Recovery

The Brucejack Property mineralization typically consists of quartz-carbonate-adularia, gold-silver bearing veins, stockwork and breccia zones, along with broad zones of disseminated mineralization. There is a significant portion of gold and silver present in the form of nugget or metallic gold and silver.

The concentrator was designed to process gold and silver ore at a nominal rate of 2,700 t/d to produce gold doré and gold flotation concentrate. The mill was commissioned between March and May of 2017 and reached full operation in the fourth quarter of 2017. In 2018, various review and assessment work was conducted to evaluate the potential of increasing mill throughput to 3,800 t/d and identify potential bottlenecks that may limit a further increase in the mill feed rate. The review work indicated that with minor modifications, such as increasing some of the slurry pump sizing and increasing the second and third cleaner flotation capacities, the process plant can handle the increased throughput of 3,800 t/d. Currently, most of the mill upgrading has been completed. As reported, the mill was operated at 4,065 t/d average in the fourth quarter of 2019.

The mill feed ore is crushed and ground to the particle size of 80% passing approximately 100 µm. Two primary gravity centrifugal concentrators, together with two upgrading tables and one secondary gravity centrifugal concentrator, recover the free nugget gold grains from the ball mill discharge. The resulting gravity concentrate is further refined in the gold room on site to produce gold-silver doré.

The gold and gold bearing minerals of the hydrocyclone overflow from the primary grinding circuit are floated using rougher and scavenger flotation. The resulting rougher flotation and scavenger flotation concentrates are upgraded through three stages of cleaner flotation. The first cleaner scavenger flotation tailings report to the rougher scavenger flotation to further recover the residual gold, silver, and their bearing minerals. The third cleaner concentrate that is the final flotation concentrate, is dewatered using a high-rate thickener and a tower filter press prior to being loaded in customized bulk containers for shipping.

The final rougher scavenger flotation tailings are dewatered in a deep cone thickener. Approximately 40 to 50% of the flotation tailings are used to make paste to backfill excavated stopes in the underground mine, and the balance is pumped to Brucejack Lake where the tailings are stored under water. The concentrate and tailings thickener overflows are recycled as process make-up water. The underground and collected water from the mine site are treated in the water treatment plant in the mill. The treated water is used for mill cooling, gland seal service, reagent preparation, and make-up water.

The upgraded process plant will continue to operate as two 12-hour shifts per day and 365 days per year. The overall availability for the underground primary crusher circuit is 60%. The grinding, flotation, and gravity concentration availability is 92%. The gold room operates during the day shift only.

Based on the life of mine annual average, approximately 6,261 kg of gold and 4,618 kg of silver contained in doré and 3,420 kg of gold and 60,211 kg of silver contained in 67,900 t of gold-silver bearing flotation concentrate will be produced each year. On average, the flotation concentrate is expected to contain approximately 50 g/t Au and 877 g/t Ag. The arsenic content of the flotation concentrate is expected to be marginally higher than the penalty thresholds set up by most smelters.

Simplified Process Flowsheet

The processing flowsheet above includes the following components:

Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates

The Company updated the resource estimate (the “2020 Resources Estimate”) for the Valley of the Kings Zone to report the 2020 Mineral Resource. The 2020 Resource Estimate was completed to incorporate new geological and assay information on the Brucejack Deposit generated through additional underground drilling, underground mine development, and mine production at the Brucejack Mine.

The 2020 Mineral Resource for the Brucejack Deposit incorporates estimates from the Valley of the Kings Zone and West Zone. No new information has been collected from the West Zone since 2012. As such, the West Zone portion of the 2020 Mineral Resource remains unchanged and is based on the West Zone resource estimate generated in April 2012. The Valley of the Kings Zone portion of the 2020 Mineral Resource has been updated in those areas surrounding the underground workings informed by new drilling data acquired between January 9, 2019 and September 30, 2019. The December 2013 Mineral Resource and the 2019 Mineral Resource have been retained for the Valley of the Kings Zone in those parts of the deposit for which no new data has been obtained since 2013 and January 2019, respectively. No new information has been obtained for the Bridge Zone, Gossan Hill Zone, and Shore Zone targets. These zones are currently not considered part of the high-grade Mineral Resource on the Brucejack Project and are therefore not included in the 2020 Mineral Resource. The Mineral Resource for the Bridge Zone, Gossan Hill Zone, and Shore Zone targets as reported in September 2012 is no longer current.

The 2020 Mineral Resource for the Brucejack Deposit, as documented in the Brucejack Report, used data and geologic interpretations provided by the Company. New data used to inform the updated 2020 Mineral Resource included 89,121 m of underground drilling since the 2019 Mineral Resource and production reconciliation information.

The 2020 Mineral Resource

The 2020 Mineral Resource has been reported with an effective date of January 1, 2020. The 2020 Resource Estimate upon which the 2020 Mineral Resource is based incorporates information from additional tightly-spaced infill drilling, mapping of underground geological exposures, and mine production.

The 2020 Resource Estimate comprises that part of the Valley of the Kings Zone where new information was available; the resource estimates upon which the 2019 Mineral Resource for the Valley of the Kings Zone (the “2019 Resource Estimate”) and the December 2013 Mineral Resource for the Valley of the Kings Zone (the “2013 Resource Estimate”) are based were retained outside the update area and the April 2012 resource estimate is retained for the West Zone. The 2020 Mineral Resource is reported inclusive of Mineral Reserves and exclusive of material mined to December 31, 2019.

At the time of the Brucejack Report, the QP for the Mineral Resource, Mr. I.W.O. Jones, P.Geo., FAusIMM was not aware of any environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-economic, marketing, political, or other relevant factors that could materially affect the Mineral Resource presented in the Brucejack Report or its potential development.

The 2020 Resource Estimate was prepared using the same methodology as for previous resource estimates for the Brucejack Deposit. Grade estimates were generated into domains inside the update area using the domain-coded composite data. The overall approach is similar to that used in the generation of the December 2013, July 2016, and January 2019 resource estimates in that separate high-grade, low-grade, and probability of high-grade estimates are generated for each block using the split population, non-linear estimation approach. Additional resolution provided by infill drilling and the evaluation of that data inside the January 2020 update area has indicated that 3.5 g/t Au and 20 g/t Ag best distinguish between low- and high-grade populations for these two grade variables. The grade estimation workflow used to generate the 2020 Resource Estimate is detailed below:

The non-linear split population-based approach used is a similar one to that used in earlier estimates and is currently considered the most appropriate method for estimating the mixed and positively-skewed precious metal mineralization for the Brucejack Deposit.

The model was validated against input drillhole data and mine production for the year 2019 and found to provide a reasonable to good representation of the input data and production information: the tonnes and grade reported by production in 2019 were within 10% of those reported from the January 2020 resource model from within the mined outlines.

The resource model was classified as Measured, Indicated, and Inferred in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (“CIM”) (2014) Definition Standards. Measured Resources are expected to be within 15% of mine production on a quarterly production basis and Indicated Resources are expected to be within 15% of mine production on an annual production basis. Shorter-term reconciliation is not considered appropriate given the highly variable and nuggety nature of the precious metal mineralization at the Brucejack Deposit.

The 2020 Resource Estimate effectively overwrites the 2019 Resource Estimate inside the update area. Comparisons between these models show that the new estimate (only that part inside the update area and not accounting for depletion by mining) is lower by approximately 0.7 Mt, 2.2 Moz Au, and 1.1 Moz Ag in the Measured + Indicated Resource at similar estimated gold and silver grades, using the same cut-off grade of 5 g/t AuEq (AuEq = Au + Ag / 53). The differences between the two models are largely data-driven. Additional tightly-spaced infill drilling, increased exposure of the mineralized system during mining, and over 1.5 Mt of actual production since mine commissioning have resulted in improved domain and local estimation parameter definition.

The updated resource estimate is presented for the combined Valley of the Kings Zone and the West Zone in Table 1 and separately for the Valley of the Kings Zone in Table 2 and the West Zone in Table 3 (below).

Mineral Reserve Estimates

A net smelter return (“NSR”) cut-off value of US$180/t or C$230/t ore was used to define the Mineral Reserves. This cut-off value decreased from the previous value of US$185/t ore used in the 2019 Brucejack Report.

The NSR for each block in the Mineral Reserve model was calculated as the payable revenue for gold and silver, less the costs of refining, concentrate treatment, transportation, assays, consultants, penalties, and insurance. The metal price assumptions associated with the NSR value are US$1,250/oz Au and US$15.6/oz Ag. A foreign exchange rate of C$1.00:US$0.78 was used.

The dilution factors used in the Mineral Reserves were calculated from standard overbreak assumptions, based on the Company’s experience and benchmarking of other long-hole open-stoping operations. The overall life-of-mine recovery is estimated to be 94%, with a dilution of 12%.

The Mineral Reserves were developed from the Mineral Resource model “res1912_MRM_NSC_ 2019_depl_101010_MO_OW_Reserve”, which was created by the Company and provided to Tetra Tech in January 2020. The orebody consists of numerous lenses in the Valley of the Kings Zone and two distinct lenses in the West Zone. These Mineral Reserves are exclusive of material mined prior to January 1, 2020.

Mineral reserves stated herein are calculated inclusive of a Mine Call Factor (“MCF”). The MCF is a grade reconciliation calculation applied to individual stopes and is based on the average drillhole spacing in each stope. Each stope has been re-evaluated using both the reserve stope grade and the drillhole spacing to account for potential overestimation in grade in areas with lower average drillhole spacing. Grades are capped relative to the concentration of drilling in the stope, with areas of closer drillhole spacing, and therefore higher confidence, allocated a higher-grade cap than those areas with fewer drillholes. The 2020 Mineral Reserve reflects a reduction in gold grade from the 2019 Mineral Reserve grade due to updates to the Mineral Resource and the application of the MCF.

Brucejack Mine Mineral Reserves⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾ by Mining Zone and Reserve Category, Effective January 1, 2020

Mineral Reserve Comparison

As significant material has been mined between the 2020 Mineral Reserves and the 2019 Mineral Reserves update, a direct comparison of reserves will not provide an accurate assessment of the changes made. To provide a valid comparison, the inclusion of the mined-out material between these two time periods needs to be added. As the 2020 Mineral Reserves are exclusive of all material mined prior to January 1, 2020 and the 2019 Mineral Reserves were exclusive of all material mined prior to January 1, 2019 the addition of the reconciled 2019 milled actuals should provide a valid comparison. The table below shows the comparison.

The combined 2020 Mineral Reserves and 2019 Milled Actuals total ore tonnes exceed the 2019 Mineral Reserves due to two main factors: the mining of out of reserve material that was identified as being economic by the grade control program, and the increase in profitability of the NSR model. With these additions, the combined 2020 Mineral Reserves with 2019 Milled Actuals contain more tonnes at a lower grade than the 2019 Mineral Reserves. This results in a decrease in overall ounces primarily due to a decrease in overall grade of the updated portion of the resource.

Mining Method

The updated underground mine design supports the extraction of 3,800 t/d of ore through a combination of transverse and longitudinal long-hole open stoping. Closely matching the previously stated plan disclosed in the Brucejack Report and the 2019 Brucejack Report paste backfill and trackless mobile equipment will be employed in the majority of mining activities.

Access to the mine is via the Valley of the Kings decline, situated near the concentrator. The Valley of the Kings decline is also utilized as a conveyor way, with two conveyors installed at a combined length of 800 m. The existing West Zone portal provides the main access for large underground equipment and waste haulage.

Development initiated during the two pre-production years of the life-of-mine continues, with the mine operating at a rate of 2,700 t/d since commercial production began in July 2017. The ramp-up period to a maximum output of 3,800 t/d is complete, with production averaging 1.3 Mt annually.

Geotechnical designs and recommendations are based on the results of site investigations and geotechnical assessments, which include rock mass characterization, structural geology interpretations, excavation and pillar stability analyses, and ground support design. No new rock mechanics site investigations or analysis work was completed for the Brucejack Report.

The groundwater flow system was conceptualized during the environmental assessment and mine permitting stages to provide inflow estimates to mine workings. Total inflows were estimated to be approximately 100 L/s, including service water. This estimate referenced results of site investigations and hydrogeologic testing that was used to determine the capacity of dewatering equipment, which allows for maximum inflows of 139 L/s to account for uncertainty in the water inflow model. Predicted total inflows to the mine have since been revised downward in light of recent groundwater modeling undertaken for the 5 Year Mine Plan and Reclamation Program Update submitted to regulators in July 2020.

Mining is largely conducted through a mine contractor, with the Company providing planning and technical services. The underground mining department consists of technical staff, mining crews, mechanics, electricians, and logistical or other support personnel. Total underground manpower, including technical support is approximately 398, with approximately 200 on site at any time.

The mining contractor supplies the majority of the heavy equipment with the exception of supplemental long-hole drills for production and sampling, and some auxiliary vehicles. Key equipment required includes a fleet of load-haul-dump vehicles and trucks for material loading and transport to surface. In addition, bolters, shotcrete sprayers, long-hole drills, and cable bolters are all required.

Ventilation has been designed to comply with BC regulations. Permanent fans at surface are located at each of the main portals and exhaust to surface is via dedicated raises. An electric air heating system operates to ensure all air entering the mine is above freezing point with a propane backup.

Paste fill is distributed using a two-stage pumping system. A positive displacement pump in the paste fill plant located in the mill provides paste to all of the West Zone and the lower portion of the Valley of the Kings Zone (below 1,350 m). The paste fill plant feeds a booster pump located near the main Valley of the Kings decline. This booster pump supplies paste to the Upper Valley of the Kings Zone (above 1,350 m).

Ore is trucked from working areas to the centrally located underground crusher and subsequently transferred to surface via the two conveyors. Waste rock is utilized for backfill wherever possible or trucked to surface for disposal in Brucejack Lake.

The location and method of the mine dewatering system have been changed since the 2014 Brucejack Report. Mine dewatering locations are included in the long-term mine plans, with adjustments to locations based on underground observations. No settling of sediments or slimes is conducted underground with sediments and slimes pumped directly to the mill clarifier by a system of submersible and horizontal centrifugal pumps located throughout the Valley of the Kings Zone and West Zone working levels.

For underground worker safety, both permanent and portable refuge stations have been installed at the Brucejack Mine. A permanent, 40-person station has been established at the 1,335 m elevation, another 60-person permanent refuge station will be established at the 1,200 m elevation, with an additional six, 16-person portable rescue chambers located elsewhere throughout the mine. Emergency warning systems include phones, mobile radios, and stench gas warning systems.

Project Infrastructure

During mine construction between 2015 and 2017, a number of on-site and off-site infrastructure components were built to support the operation. The locations of facilities and infrastructure items were selected to take advantage of local topography, accommodate environmental considerations, avoid avalanche hazards, and ensure efficient and convenient underground crew shift changes.

Facilities and infrastructure at or near the Brucejack Mine site are currently in operation and include the following:

The Brucejack Access Road is an all-season, two-way access road that commences at Highway 37 at km 215 and travels generally westward to Brucejack Lake, a distance of 73.5 km. The access road is maintained throughout the year by road grooming equipment and snow plows. Regular patrols are conducted, particularly, in potential avalanche areas with avalanche control measures in place. A 12 km section of the Brucejack Access Road (km 59 to km 71) traverses the main arm of the Knipple Glacier. During winter months the route is a groomed snow surface, but is an ice surface during the summer months.

The Knipple Transfer Station is located approximately 12 km southeast of Brucejack Mine site. The Knipple Transfer Station facilities include a camp, maintenance and emergency vehicle building, cold storage, fuel dispensing system, helipad, incinerator, assay laboratory, truck scale, and laydown areas. All deliveries to and from the mill site report to this facility for intermediate storage or transfer to a different vehicle before delivery to the mine or off-site. Similarly, loads from the mill site are managed in reverse order.

An aerodrome with an approximately 5,000 ft. long by 75 ft. wide gravel airstrip and an apron for aircraft parking at 1,424 ft. elevation is located at the Bowser site, approximately 2 km east of Knipple Lake. The aerodrome is available to provide air service by chartered flights to and from the mine. Expansion of the runway to 100 ft. width and 5,500 ft. length with lighting and apron up-grades is under study to allow AGN IIIA class aircraft, such as the DE Havilland Dash 8 turboprops, to use the aerodrome. Currently, personnel transportation between Brucejack Mine and Smithers/Terrace, BC is facilitated by chartered bus service. However, routine crew changes by chartered air service is under study.

There is a security gatehouse and camp at the Wildfire Camp site, located on the Brucejack Access Road near the intersection of Highway 37. The security gatehouse provides access control to the inbound and outgoing traffic along the Brucejack Access Road.

The tailings delivery system discharges thickened tailings slurry to the bottom of Brucejack Lake (approximately 80 m deep) when not used for paste backfill (approximately 40 to 50% of the time). For discharge to the lake, the tailings slurry is pumped to an agitated slurry mixing tank and then diluted at the nominal solids throughput rate of approximately 180 t/h. The diluted slurry is pumped overland and then underwater along the suspended discharge lines to the discharge point.

Both the pipes are suspended on cables to allow for vertical and horizontal repositioning over the life-of-mine to ensure the pipe is not covered by tailings and to meet permit conditions for vertical positioning above the lake bottom.

A 138 kV overhead power supply line from the substation at Long Lake Hydro Substation was constructed in 2016/2017 and connects to the Knipple Substation.

The main site power steps down from 138 to 69 kV via two 20/26 MVA oil-filled transformers, complete with neutral grounding resistors, located in the main substation yard at the Knipple Substation. Each transformer is capable of carrying the entire site load. The 69 kV transmission line is transported to Brucejack Mine where it enters into the mill.

The voltage is further stepped down from 69 kV to 4.16 kV via 2 x 15/20/25 MVA oil-filled transformers and distributed to the site via 4.16 kV rated switchgear. The rating for site on a distribution end is 4.16 kV and further transformed to 0.6 kV for smaller loads.

The main mill and underground loads are fed via power cables in cable tray. The main substation is located inside the mill. Power feeds to the mill building, camps, truck shop, and underground are all underground buried services.

Within the mill, large loads are powered at 4.16 kV. Smaller loads are powered at 600 V via switchgear and motor control centers (MCCs). Variable frequency drives (VFDs) and soft starters are employed strategically to optimize process and energy performance.

An avalanche hazard assessment of the mine site, access road, and transmission line route was presented in the previous feasibility study. Generally, the avalanche hazard assessment of the mine site, access road, and transmission line route remains unchanged from the previous feasibility study. The avalanche season for infrastructure below the 1,000 m elevation level is generally from November to May, while for elevations above 1,200 m the season is from October to June, or if cool and wet conditions persist avalanches can occur in summer months. Snow avalanches generally occur in areas where there are steep open slopes or gullies, and deep (more than 50 cm) mountain snowpacks. Risks associated with avalanches are normally due to exposure to the high impact forces that occur, as well as the effects of extended burial for any person caught in an avalanche. An avalanche path generally consists of a starting zone, a track, and a runout zone.

The Company has full time mountain safety technicians who monitor avalanche risk, develop hazard ratings for the Brucejack Access Road for specific sections, and release hazard bulletins with avalanche ratings for those road sections and glacier hazard ratings for travel on the glacier. The mountain safety technicians regularly survey the ice road and work with road maintenance to ensure safe travel on the ice.

Environmental, Permitting and Social and Community

The Company is committed to continuing to operate the Brucejack Mine in a sustainable manner and according to the guiding principles in its corporate social, environmental, and health and safety policies. The Company regularly consults with public, Indigenous groups, and stakeholders on the Brucejack Mine and commitments for engagement, communication, and local recruitment. Every reasonable effort has and will continue to be made to minimize or prevent potential long-term adverse environmental effects and to ensure that the mine provides lasting benefits to local Indigenous and other communities while generating substantial economic and social value for shareholders, employees, and the broader community. The Company developed an Economic and Social Effects Mitigation Plan (“ESEMP”) as a requirement of its provincial Environmental Assessment Certificate and reports annually on the outcomes and achievements related to the ESEMP. The Company respects the traditional knowledge of the Indigenous peoples who have historically occupied or used the Brucejack Project area and is committed to an engagement process that continues to invite and consider input from people with traditional knowledge in the area. The Company’s objectives include continuing to retain the integrity of ecosystems within which mine infrastructure is located to the extent feasible during the remainder of mine operations. Upon mine closure, the intent will be to reclaim mine infrastructure disturbance areas to the approved end land uses in accordance with the approved reclamation plan, thereby returning the disturbed areas to levels of land productivity equal to or better than existed prior to mine development. The Company maintains a reclamation security of C$31.7 million with the BC government for the full build-out of the mine.

Capital and Operating Cost Estimates

Capital Cost Estimate

The total life-of-mine sustaining capital cost from 2020 to 2032 is estimated at US$176.7 million. The table below shows a summary breakdown of the life-of-mine sustaining capital costs by area, including required sustaining costs for the mine and mill throughput expansion to 3,800 t/d. The estimated cost includes design, construction, installation, and commissioning.

The key inputs to this cost estimate were based on the life-of-mine planned costs estimated by the Company and reviewed by Tetra Tech, including recent equipment purchased costs, equipment quotations from vendors, and recent construction cost data. All costs are inclusive of direct cost, indirect cost, and contingency. The expected accuracy range of the operating cost estimate is +20%/-15%.

Operating Cost Estimate

The estimated life-of-mine average operating cost for the Brucejack Mine is US$163/t milled. The table below shows the cost breakdown for each area.

The operating cost estimate is based on the Brucejack Mine operating experience, including consumable supplies, power supply, contractor services, camp services, personnel transportation, and labour salaries/wages with a base date of Q4 2019 and do not include any escalation beyond this quarter. The expected accuracy range of the operating cost estimates is -15%/+15%. All the costs have been estimated in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise specified.

The operating costs exclude off-site shipping charges and sale costs for the gold-silver doré and gold-silver concentrate and royalties, which are included in the financial analysis.

All operating cost estimates exclude taxes unless otherwise specified.

Economic Analysis

Tetra Tech prepared an economic evaluation of the Brucejack Mine based on a discounted cash flow model for the remaining 13-year life-of-mine and 15.64 Mt of ore included in the mine plan. For this mine plan, a post-tax net present value (“NPV”) of US$1.50 billion was calculated at a discount rate of 5%.

The Brucejack Mine economic model is based on the following assumptions:

The production schedule was incorporated into the pre-tax financial model to develop annual recovered metal production. Capital expenditures include 3,800 t/d mine expansion capital cost of US$14.8 million and ongoing sustaining capital costs for mining and milling additions and equipment replacement totaling US$161.9 million. The total life-of-mine capital cost is US$176.7 million.

The NPV was estimated at the beginning of the mining schedule and therefore has an effective date of January 1, 2020.

The table below summarizes the forecast for the economic performance of the Brucejack Mine operation for the remaining life-of-mine.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities is speculative and involves a high degree of risk due to the nature of our business and the present stage of the operation, exploration and development of our mineral properties. The following risk factors, as well as risks currently unknown to us, could materially adversely affect our future business, operations and financial condition and could cause them to differ materially from the estimates described in forward-looking statements relating to the Company, or its business, property or financial results, each of which could cause purchasers of our securities to lose part or all of their investment. The risks set out below are not the only risks we face; risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. You should carefully consider the following risk factors along with other risk factors included elsewhere in this AIF, as well as those set out in our Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

Risks Related to Our Business

We are currently subject to, and may in the future be subject to, claims and legal proceedings that could divert our resources and result in the payment of significant damages and other remedies, and could materially adversely impact our business, prospects, financial condition, financial performance and results of operations.

We are engaged as a defendant in a class action lawsuit in Ontario (as more particularly described in the section entitled “Legal Proceedings and Regulatory Actions” in this AIF and in our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of our financial condition and results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019) filed by certain of our shareholders at the applicable times. Litigation resulting from this claim could be costly and time-consuming and could divert the attention of management and key personnel from our business operations. We cannot assure that we will succeed in defending this claim and that judgment will not be entered against us with respect to the litigation resulting from such claim. If we are unsuccessful in our defense of this claim or unable to settle the claim in a manner satisfactory to us, we may be faced with significant monetary damages or injunctive relief against us that could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, financial performance and results of operations.

Due to the nature of our business, we may be subject to a variety of regulatory investigations, claims, lawsuits and other proceedings in the ordinary course of our business. It is possible that some of these matters may be resolved against us. The results of these legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty due to the uncertainty inherent in litigation, including the effects of discovery of new evidence or advancement of new legal theories, the difficulty of predicting decisions of judges and juries and the possibility that decisions may be reversed on appeal. There can be no assurances that these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, financial performance and results of operations.

Our indebtedness may adversely affect our cash flow and our ability to operate our business.

We have a substantial amount of indebtedness arising from the Loan Facility and the Notes. Consequently, we are required to use a portion of our cash flow to service principal and interest on our debt. In order to fund our debt service obligations and to pay amounts due, we will require significant amounts of cash. Our indebtedness could have adverse consequences on our business, including: limiting our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, exploration and development, debt service requirements, acquisitions and general corporate or other purposes; restricting our flexibility and discretion to operate our business; having to dedicate a portion of our cash flows from future mining operations, if any, to the payment of interest on our indebtedness and not having such cash flows available for other purposes; exposing us to increased interest expense on borrowings at variable rates; limiting our ability to adjust to changing market conditions; placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to competitors that have less debt or greater financial resources; making us vulnerable in a downturn in general economic conditions; and preventing our ability to make expenditures that are important to our growth and strategies.

Interest rates under our Loan Facility are based on LIBOR and the administrative agents’ base rate, which fluctuate based on market conditions. In addition, on July 27, 2017, the Chief Executive of the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”), which regulates LIBOR, announced that the FCA will no longer compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of the LIBOR benchmark after 2021. On March 5, 2021, regulators and industry groups announced the dates for the cessation of publication of, and non-representativeness of, various settings of the LIBOR. The Credit Facility allows for the selection of a replacement rate in the event of the discontinuation of LIBOR, subject to certain conditions. However, it is uncertain what replacement rate will be selected once LIBOR is discontinued and the impact that this will have on our interest rates under our Loan Facility. Increases in interest rates can have a material adverse effect on our cash flows, operations and results therefrom, and our financial condition.

Our ability to meet our debt service requirements will depend on our ability to generate cash from mining activities, debt financing(s) or the issuance of additional equity or debt securities. There can be no assurance that we will generate cash flow in amounts sufficient to pay outstanding indebtedness or to fund any other liquidity needs. If the cash generated from mining activities is insufficient to meet the obligations to pay interest and principal under the Credit Agreement, the lenders may exercise their rights under the security arrangements of the Credit Agreement, which could result in a loss or substantial reduction in the value of our principal assets. If our cash flow and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt obligations, we may be forced to reduce or delay capital expenditures, sell assets, seek to obtain additional equity or debt capital or restructure our debt.

Our future performance will be affected by a range of economic, competitive, governmental, operating and other business factors, many of which cannot be controlled, such as general economic and financial conditions in the industry or the economy at large, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. A significant reduction in operating cash flows resulting from changes in economic conditions, increased competition or other events could increase the need for additional or alternative sources of liquidity and could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition or results of operations, as well as our ability to service our debt and other obligations. If we are unable to service our indebtedness or fulfil our other obligations, including those under the Credit Agreement, we will be forced to adopt an alternative strategy that may be less attractive to us and include actions such as reducing or delaying capital expenditures, selling assets, restructuring or refinancing indebtedness or seeking equity or debt capital. In addition, any failure to make scheduled payments of interest and principal on outstanding indebtedness is likely to result in a reduction of credit rating, which could harm our ability to incur additional indebtedness on acceptable terms.

The Credit Agreement contains restrictive covenants that will limit our ability to operate our business.

The terms of our Credit Agreement require us to comply with various affirmative and negative covenants and to meet certain financial ratios and tests. The restrictive covenants contained in the Credit Agreement could have adverse consequences on our business, including: limiting our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, exploration and development, debt service requirements, acquisitions and general corporate or other purposes; restricting our flexibility and discretion to operate our business; limiting our ability to adjust to changing market conditions; making us vulnerable in a downturn in general economic conditions; and making us unable to make expenditures that are important to our growth and strategies. The restrictive covenants contained in the Credit Agreement will limit our operating flexibility and could prevent us from taking advantage of business opportunities. There are no assurances that we will continue to satisfy these covenants. Our failure to comply with these covenants may result in an event of default. If such event of default is not cured or waived, we may suffer adverse effects on our business or financial condition.

Virus outbreaks may create instability in world markets and may affect the Company’s business.

Emerging infectious diseases or the threat of outbreaks of viruses or other contagions or epidemic diseases or pandemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic, could have a material adverse effect on the Company by causing operational and supply chain delays and disruptions (including as a result of government regulation and prevention measures), labour shortages and shutdowns, social unrest, breach of material contracts and customer agreements, government or regulatory actions or inactions, changes in tax laws, payment deferrals, increased insurance premiums, decreased demand or the inability to sell and deliver precious metals, declines in the price of precious metals, delays in permitting or approvals, governmental disruptions, capital markets volatility, or other unknown but potentially significant impacts. In addition, to date, a number of mining projects were suspended as cases of COVID-19 were confirmed, for precautionary purposes or as governments have declared a state of emergency or taken other actions. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Brucejack Mine has operated continuously under the stringent directives provided by federal, provincial and regional authorities. The Company has established COVID-19 management plans and implemented enhanced protocols and preventative measures to manage and mitigate the spread of COVID-19. However, these management plans, related protocols and preventative measures may prove to be ineffective in preventing and/or mitigating an outbreak of COVID-19 at the Brucejack Mine. Further, even if these management plans, related protocols and preventative measures are effective, they cannot provide absolute assurance that additional outbreaks of COVID-19 will not occur at the Brucejack Mine and, in case of any such outbreak, absolute assurance that the effects of such outbreak will be mitigated. An outbreak of COVID-19 at the Brucejack Mine could result in significant disruption to operations, including a suspension of mine operations. The region in which we operate may not have sufficient public infrastructure to adequately respond or efficiently and quickly recover from such event, which could have a materially adverse effect on our operations and the local communities. Our exposure to such public health crises also includes risks to employee health and safety. Our operation is located in a relatively remote and isolated area and represents a concentration of personnel working and residing in close proximity to one another. Should an employee or visitor become infected with a serious illness that has the potential to spread rapidly, this could place our workforce at risk.

The full extent and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is unknown and, to-date, has included extreme volatility in financial markets, a slowdown in economic activity, extreme volatility in commodity prices (including precious metals) and has raised the prospect of a global recession. The international response to the COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant restrictions on travel, temporary business closures, quarantines, global stock market volatility and a general reduction in global consumer activity. At this time, the Company cannot accurately predict what effects these conditions will have on mining operations or financial results, including due to uncertainties relating to the ultimate geographic spread of the virus, the severity of the disease, the duration of the pandemic, and the length of the travel restrictions and business closures that have been or may be imposed by various levels of government in Canada and other countries. In addition, a significant outbreak of contagious diseases in the human population, such as COVID-19, could result in a widespread health crisis that could adversely affect the economies and financial markets of many countries, resulting in an economic downturn that could result in a material adverse effect on commodity prices, demand for metals, investor confidence, and general financial market liquidity, all of which may adversely affect the Company’s business and the market price of the Common Shares. Accordingly, any outbreak or threat of an outbreak of an epidemic disease or similar public health emergency, including the COVID-19 pandemic, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. It is unknown whether and how the Company may be affected if a pandemic, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, persists for an extended period of time.

Actual capital costs, operating costs and expenditures, production schedules and economic returns may differ significantly from those we have anticipated.

Our expected capital costs, operating costs and expenditures, production schedules, economic returns and other projections for the Brucejack Mine which are contained in the Brucejack Report are based on assumed or estimated future metals prices, cut-off grades, production estimates, mining grades, milling recoveries, operating costs, capital costs and expenditures and various other factors that each may prove to be inaccurate, and many of which are beyond our control. Therefore, the Brucejack Report may prove to be unreliable if the assumptions or estimates do not reflect actual facts and events. For example, significant declines in market prices for precious metals or extended periods of inflation would have an adverse effect on the economic projections set forth in the Brucejack Report. The Company’s economic performance forecasts, including cash flow forecasts and net present value, may be impacted by the production outlook. Failure to meet these production targets will have an adverse effect on cash flows, earnings and our overall financial condition.

Any material reductions in estimates of mineralization or increases in capital costs and expenditures, or in our ability to maintain a projected budget or renew a particular mining permit, could also have a material adverse effect on projected production schedules and economic returns, as well as on our cash flows, earnings, overall results of operations or financial condition. There is also a risk that rising costs for labour and material could have an adverse impact on forecasted capital and operating costs and that shortages of labour and material could have a negative impact on any mine development and production schedules. An increase in any of these costs, or a lack of availability of commodities and goods, may have an adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

We may be required to seek additional debt or equity capital in order to fund the development and operations of the Brucejack Project and we may not be able to access capital on commercially reasonable terms or at all and, even if successful, we may not be able to raise enough capital to allow us to fully fund the capital and operating costs associated with the Brucejack Project.

There is uncertainty relating to production, gold grade, milling recovery, cash flow and cost estimates.

We prepare estimates of future production (including production rate, gold grade and milling recovery estimates), future cash flow (including free cash flow estimates) and future costs for the Brucejack Project. No assurance can be given that production-related and financial-related estimates will be achieved. Estimates are based on, among other things: the accuracy of Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates and related information, analyses and interpretations (including with respect to any updates or anticipated updates); the accuracy of assumptions, including assumptions about our business and operations and that no significant event will occur outside of our normal course of business and operations (other than as expressly set out herein) and assumptions about commodity prices (including the price of gold) and exchange rates; ore grades and recovery grades; metallurgical characteristics; and the accuracy of estimated rates and costs related to exploration, development, mining and processing activities. Failure to achieve production, gold grade, cash flow and cost estimates could have an adverse impact on our future cash flows, earnings, results of operations and financial condition.

The Company’s economic performance forecasts, including cash flow forecasts and net present value, may be impacted by the production outlook. Failure to meet these production targets will have an adverse effect on cash flows, earnings and our overall financial condition.

Actual production, production rate, gold grade, milling recovery, cash flow and costs may vary from estimates for a variety of reasons, including, among other things: actual ore mined varying from estimates of grade, tonnage, dilution, metallurgical and other characteristics; short-term operating factors relating to the Mineral Reserves, such as the need for sequential development of ore bodies and the processing of new or different ore grades; changes in commodity prices (including the price of gold) and exchange rates; mine or equipment failures, risk and hazards associated with mining; natural phenomena, such as inclement weather conditions, underground floods, earthquakes, avalanches, ground control issues, rock bursts and cave-ins; encountering unusual or unexpected geological conditions; shortages of principal supplies needed for mining and milling operations, including explosives, fuels, chemical reagents, water, power, equipment parts and lubricants; plant and equipment failure; shortages of supplies and facilities needed for the accommodation of personnel such as food, water and the processing and disposal of sewage and waste; restrictions or regulations imposed by government agencies or other changes in the regulatory environment; unexpected labour shortages or strikes; and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to adversely affecting mineral production, such occurrences could also result in damage to mineral properties or mines, interruption in production, injury or death to persons, damage to our property or property of others, monetary losses and legal liabilities. These factors may cause a mineral deposit that has been mined profitably in the past to become unprofitable, forcing us to cease production.

Changes in the market price of gold and other metals, which in the past have fluctuated widely, may materially and adversely affect our operations, revenues and the value of our mineral properties.

Our profitability and long-term viability depend, in large part, on the market price of gold and silver. The market prices for these metals are volatile and are affected by numerous factors beyond our control, including:

We cannot predict the effect of these factors on metal prices. A decrease in the market price of gold and other metals could affect our ability to finance the exploration, development and operations of any of our mineral properties. The market price of gold and other metals may not remain at current levels. Additionally, the current COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to contain it, including restrictions on travel and other advisories issued may have a significant effect on metal prices and market demand.

Future production, if any, from our mining properties is dependent on mineral prices that are adequate to make these properties economic. A sustained period of declining gold and other metal prices would adversely affect our operations, financial performance, financial position, results of operations and trading value of our securities.

Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve calculations are only estimates.

Any figures presented for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves in this AIF and the Brucejack Report, and any figures for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves which may be presented in the future are and will only be estimates. No assurance can be given that Mineral Reserves, Mineral Resources or other mineralization estimates will be accurate, or mineralization can be mined or processed profitably. Mineral Reserve data is not indicative of future results of operations. There is a degree of uncertainty attributable to the estimation of Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources and grades of mineralization. Until Mineral Reserve estimates or Mineral Resource estimates are actually mined and processed, the quantity of metal and grades must be considered as estimates only and no assurances can be given that the indicated levels of metals will be produced. In making determinations about whether to advance any of our projects to development or to mine existing Mineral Reserves, we must rely upon estimations of the Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources and grades of mineralization on our properties. Short-term operating factors relating to the Mineral Reserves may cause our mining operation to be unprofitable in any particular accounting period.

The estimating of Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources is a subjective process that relies on the judgment of the persons preparing the estimates and is subject to numerous uncertainties including many factors beyond our control. The process relies on the quantity and quality of available data and is based on various assumptions and judgments, knowledge, mining experience, analysis and interpretation of drilling results and industry practices. Valid estimates made at a given time may significantly change when new information becomes available. By their nature, Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates are imprecise and depend, to a certain extent, upon analysis and interpretation of drilling results and statistical inferences that may ultimately prove to be inaccurate.

Estimated Mineral Reserves and/or Mineral Resources may have to be revised based on changes in mineral prices, further geological interpretation, further exploration or development activity or actual production experience. This could materially and adversely affect estimates of the volume or grade of mineralization, estimated recovery rates or other important factors that influence Mineral Reserve or Mineral Resource estimates or may render our Mineral Reserves uneconomic to exploit. The extent to which Mineral Resources may ultimately be reclassified as proven or probable Mineral Reserves is dependent upon the demonstration of their profitable recovery. Any material changes in Mineral Resource estimates and grades of mineralization will affect the economic viability of placing a property into production and a property’s return on capital. We cannot provide assurance that mineralization can be mined or processed profitably.

Our Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates have been determined and valued based on assumed future metal prices, cut-off grades, operating costs and other assumptions that may prove to be inaccurate. Extended declines in market prices for gold and silver, increased production costs or reduced recovery rates, may render portions of our mineralization uneconomic and result in reduced reported Mineral Resources and/or Mineral Reserves, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. We cannot provide assurance that mineral recovery rates achieved in small scale tests will be duplicated in large scale tests under on-site conditions or in production scale. In addition, if our projects produce concentrate for which there is no market, this may have an impact on the economic model for the Brucejack Mine. A reduction in any resources that may be estimated by us in the future could have an adverse impact on our future cash flows, earnings, results of operations and financial condition.

There is a risk that Inferred Mineral Resources referred to in this AIF cannot be converted into Indicated or Measured Mineral Resources as there may be limited ability to assess geological continuity. In addition, there is no assurance that any Mineral Resource estimates for the Brucejack Mine will ultimately be reclassified as Probable or Proven Mineral Reserves. The failure to establish Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves on an ongoing basis could restrict our ability to successfully implement our strategies for long-term growth and may impact future cash flows, earnings, results of operation and financial condition.

Depletion of Mineral Reserves.

Given that mines have limited lives based on Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves, we must continually replace and expand our Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves at the Brucejack Mine and discover, develop or acquire Mineral Reserves for production.

Our ability to maintain or increase our annual production of gold will depend in significant part on our ability to expand Mineral Reserves or develop or acquire new Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources. Exploration is inherently speculative, is frequently unsuccessful and involves many risks. There is a risk that depletion of our Mineral Reserves will not be offset by discoveries, development or acquisitions. If our Mineral Reserves are not replaced either by the development of additional Mineral Reserves and/or additions to Mineral Reserves, there may be an adverse impact on our future cash flows, earnings, results of operations and financial condition, and this may be compounded by requirements to expand funds for reclamation and decommissioning.

We are dependent on the Brucejack Mine for our future operating revenue.

Our only material property for the purposes of NI 43-101 is the Brucejack Mine, which has a limited life based on Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates. Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. We must continually explore to replace and expand our Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. In the absence of additional mineral projects, we will be solely dependent upon the Brucejack Project for our revenue and profits, if any.

Ongoing operations and future development costs are difficult to predict and may render the Brucejack Mine financially unfeasible. The success of our mining operations is dependent on many factors including: the discovery and/or acquisition of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves; successful conclusions to feasibility and other mining studies; access to adequate capital for project development and to sustaining capital; design and construction of efficient mining and processing facilities within capital expenditure budgets; obtaining permits, consents and approvals necessary for the conduct of exploration and mining; compliance with the terms and conditions of all permits, consents and approvals during the course of mining activities; access to competent operational management and prudent financial administration, including the availability and reliability of appropriately qualified employees, contractors and consultants; and the ability to procure major equipment items and key consumables in a timely and cost-effective manner. Increases in electrical power costs, oil prices, and in turn diesel fuel prices, and the cost of equipment would add significantly to operating costs. These are all beyond our control. An inability to secure ongoing supply of such goods and services at prices assumed within the short and long term mine plans, and assumed within feasibility studies could have a material and adverse effect on our business, the results of our costs, results of operations, financial performance and financial condition. This could render a previously profitable project unprofitable. Costs can also be affected by factors such as changes in market conditions, government policies and exchange rates, all of which are unpredictable and outside our control. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic may impact ongoing operations and costs at the Brucejack Mine.

The development of our properties and expansion of our operations will continue to be subject to all of the risks associated with establishing new mining operations.

Development of our mineral properties requires the construction and operation of mines, processing plants and related infrastructure. Further, expansion of our operations requires increased mine development, modifications and updates to existing processing plant and related infrastructure as well as construction of additional infrastructure. As a result, we are and will continue to be subject to all of the risks associated with establishing new mining operations, including:

The costs, timing and complexities of developing and expanding our projects may be greater than anticipated because the majority of such property interests are not located in developed areas, and, as a result, our property interests may not be served by appropriate road access, water and power supply, communication networks, and other support infrastructure. Cost estimates may increase as more detailed engineering work is completed on a project. It is common in new mining operations to experience unexpected costs, problems and delays during construction, development and mine start-up and expansion. Accordingly, we cannot provide assurance that our activities will result in profitable mining operations at our mineral properties.

We may not have sufficient funds to mine, develop, expand or complete further exploration programs on our mineral properties.

Mining, development, expansion and exploration of our properties will require ongoing financing as a result of various factors including the potential for rising and unforeseen costs and fluctuations in metal prices. We must generate sufficient internal cash flow or be able to utilize available financing sources to finance our growth and sustaining capital requirements. In the future, our ability to continue exploration, and development and production activities, if any, may depend on our ability to generate sufficient cash flows from our operations and/or to obtain additional external financing. Any unexpected costs, problems or delays could severely impact our ability to continue exploration and development activities, and our ability to generate sufficient cash flows and require greater reliance on alternative sources of financing. Our access to financing is always uncertain. The current COVID-19 pandemic may further prevent us from being able to raise adequate funding on attractive terms, or at all.

The sources of external financing that we may use for these purposes include project or bank financing, royalty, streaming or other similar arrangements, or public or private offerings of equity and debt or any combination thereof. In addition, we may enter into one or more strategic alliances or joint ventures, decide to sell certain property interests, or utilize one or a combination of all of these alternatives. The financing alternative, or alternatives, we choose may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all. If additional financing is not available, we may have to postpone the further exploration or development of, or sell, one or more of our principal properties. Furthermore, even if we raise sufficient additional capital, there can be no assurance that we will achieve profitability or positive cash flow. In addition, any future equity offering will further dilute your equity interest in us and any future debt financing will require us to dedicate a portion of our cash flow to payments on indebtedness and will limit our flexibility in planning for or reacting to changes in our business.

We may incur losses and may experience negative operating cash flow in the future.

There can be no assurance that we will generate any revenues or achieve profitability or that the Brucejack Mine will generate earnings, operate profitably or provide a return on investment in the future. Our business strategies may not be successful, and we may not be profitable in any future period. The current COVID-19 pandemic may further impact the ability of the Company to generate profits.

There can be no assurance that the underlying assumed levels of expenses will prove to be accurate. There can be no assurance that significant losses will not occur in the near future or that we will be profitable in the future. Our operating expenses and capital expenditures may increase in subsequent years as consultants, personnel and equipment associated with advancing exploration, development and commercial production of our properties are added.

The amount and timing of expenditures will depend on the progress of ongoing exploration and development, the results of consultants’ analyses and recommendations, the rate at which operating losses (if any) are incurred, the execution of any joint venture agreements with strategic partners, our acquisition of additional properties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.

To the extent that we have negative cash flow in future periods, we may need to allocate a portion of our cash reserves to fund such negative cash flow. We may also be required to obtain additional debt financing or raise additional funds through the issuance of equity or debt securities. There can be no assurance that additional capital or other types of financing will be available when needed or that these financings will be on terms favourable to us.

If our counterparties to the Credit Agreement or other agreements default on their contractual obligations, we may be materially and adversely affected.

If a counterparty does not meet its contractual obligations under the Credit Agreement, the agreement for underground stoping and development or other agreements to which we are party, or if they become insolvent, our business, operating and financial results, and financial condition may be materially adversely impacted.

If purchasers of our refined gold and unrefined gold concentrate do not meet their respective obligations, or if any such purchasers become insolvent, we may incur losses for products already shipped and we may be unable to find alternative purchasers for our products on terms favourable to us, if at all, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial performance and financial condition.

General economic conditions may adversely affect our growth, profitability and ability to obtain financing.

Events in global financial markets in the past several years have had a profound impact on the global economy. Many industries, including the gold mining industry, have been and continue to be impacted by these market conditions. Some of the key impacts of the current financial market turmoil include contraction in credit markets resulting in a widening of credit risk, devaluations, high volatility in global equity, commodity, foreign exchange and precious metal markets and a lack of market confidence and liquidity. A continued or worsened slowdown in the financial markets or other economic conditions, including but not limited to, consumer spending, employment rates, business conditions, inflation, fuel and energy costs, consumer debt levels, lack of available credit, the state of the financial markets, interest rates and tax rates, may adversely affect our growth, profitability and ability to obtain financing. A number of issues related to economic conditions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, including:

In addition, the current COVID-19 pandemic and any future emergence and spread of similar pathogens could have an adverse impact on global economic conditions which may adversely impact our operations, and the operations of our suppliers, contractors and service providers, including mining, smelter and refining service providers, and the demand for our production.

Mining is inherently risky and subject to conditions or events beyond our control.

The development and operation of a mine or mine property is inherently significantly challenging and involves many risks that even a combination of experience, knowledge and careful evaluation may not be able to overcome, including:

These risks could result in damage to, or destruction of, mineral properties, production facilities or other properties, personal injury or death, including to our employees, environmental damage, delays in mining, increased production costs, asset write downs, monetary losses and possible legal liability, and/or facility and workforce evacuation. We may not be able to obtain insurance to cover these risks at economically feasible premiums, or at all. Insurance against certain environmental risks, including potential liability for pollution and other hazards as a result of the disposal of waste products occurring from production, is not generally available to companies within the mining industry. We may suffer a material adverse impact on our business if we incur losses related to any significant events that are not covered by our insurance policies.

We cannot provide assurance that we currently hold or will successfully acquire commercially mineable mineral rights.

Exploration for and development of mineral properties involves significant financial risks which even a combination of careful evaluation, experience and knowledge may not eliminate. While the discovery of an ore body may result in substantial rewards, few properties which are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines. Major expenses may be required to establish Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves by drilling, developing metallurgical processes, constructing mining and processing facilities at a site, and extracting metals from ore. We cannot ensure that our current exploration and development programs will result in profitable commercial mining operations.

The economic feasibility of development projects is based upon many factors, including the accuracy of Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates; metallurgical recoveries; capital and operating costs; government regulations relating to prices, taxes, royalties, land tenure, land use, importing and exporting and environmental management and protection; and metals prices, which are highly volatile. Development projects are also subject to the successful completion of feasibility studies, issuance of necessary governmental permits and availability of adequate financing.

Most exploration projects do not result in the discovery of commercially mineable (or viable) ore deposits, and no assurance can be given that any anticipated level of recovery of Mineral Reserves, if any, will be realized or that any identified mineral deposit will ever qualify as a commercially mineable (or viable) ore body which can be legally and economically exploited. Estimates of Mineral Reserves, Mineral Resources, mineral deposits and production costs can also be affected by such factors as environmental permitting regulations and requirements, weather, environmental factors, unforeseen technical difficulties, the metallurgy of the mineralization forming the mineral deposit, unusual or unexpected geological formations, and other forms of geological, mineralogical, geochemical or geotechnical complexities associated with natural systems and conditions, and work interruptions. If current exploration programs do not result in the discovery of commercial ore, we may need to write-off part or all of our investment in existing exploration stage properties.

Material changes in Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, if any, grades or recovery rates may affect the economic viability of any project. Our future growth and productivity will depend, in part, on our ability to develop commercially mineable mineral rights at our existing properties or identify and acquire other commercially mineable mineral rights, and on the costs and results of continued exploration and potential development programs. Mineral exploration is highly speculative in nature and is frequently non-productive. Substantial expenditures are required to: establish Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves through drilling and metallurgical and other testing techniques; determine metal content and metallurgical recovery processes to extract metal from the ore; and construct, renovate or expand mining and processing facilities.

In addition, if we discover mineralization that is deemed to have economic potential, it would take several years from the initial phases of exploration until production is possible. During this time, the economic feasibility of producing from the mineralization may change. As a result of these uncertainties, there can be no assurance that we currently hold or will successfully acquire additional commercially mineable (or viable) mineral rights.

Suitable infrastructure may not be available or damage to existing infrastructure may occur.

Mining, processing, development and exploration activities depend, to one degree or another, on adequate infrastructure. Reliable roads, bridges, power sources, communication networks and water supply are important determinants for capital and operating costs. The lack of availability on acceptable terms or the delay in the availability of any one or more of these items could prevent or delay exploration, exploitation or development of our projects. If adequate infrastructure is not available in a timely manner, we cannot assure you that the exploitation or development of our projects will be commenced, conducted or completed on a timely basis, or at all, or that the resulting operations will achieve the anticipated production volume, or that the construction costs and operating costs associated with the exploitation and/or development of our projects will not be higher than anticipated. In addition, unusual weather phenomena, forest fires, sabotage, government, First Nations, environmental activism or other sources of damage to, or interference in the maintenance or provision of such infrastructure could adversely affect our operations and profitability. Further, there are risks associated with the construction and operation of an underground mining project relating to, among other things, supervision of the contractors, cost estimating, delivery and operation of equipment, and disposal of waste rock.

We are subject to certain transportation, processing and refining risks that could have a negative impact on our operations.

Doré and mineral concentrates containing combinations of silver and gold are produced at the Brucejack Mine and transported to refiners and smelters. This type of process involves certain environmental and financial risks. We could be subject to potential significant increases in transportation charges and treatment and refining charges. Transportation of such doré and mineral concentrates is also subject to numerous risks including, but not limited to, delays in delivery of shipments, road blocks, criminal activities, civil unrest, weather conditions and environmental liabilities in the event of an accident or spill. We could be subject to limited smelter availability and capacity and could also face the risk of a potential interruption of business from a third party beyond our control, which in both cases could have a material adverse effect on our business, operations, financial performance and financial condition. There is no assurance that smelting, refining or transportation contracts for the Brucejack Mine’s production will be entered into and/or renewed on acceptable terms or that the counterparties to such contracts will meet their respective obligations thereunder. If we are unable to effectively process and refine our doré and mineral concentrates on acceptable terms or if the counterparties to our smelting, refining and transportation contracts fail to meet their respective obligations thereunder, our business, operations, financial performance and financial condition could be materially adversely impacted.

We are dependent upon the efforts of our employees and contractors and our operations would be adversely affected if we fail to maintain satisfactory labour relations.

Certain of our mining, exploration and construction activities are conducted by outside contractors. As a result, our operations may be subject to a number of risks, some of which will be outside of our control, including negotiating agreements with contractors on acceptable terms; the inability to secure qualified contractors and equipment in a timely and orderly manner or at all; the inability to replace a contractor and its operating equipment in a timely and orderly manner or at all, in the event that either party terminates the agreement; reduced control over such aspects of operations that are of the responsibility of the contractor; failure of a contractor to perform under its agreement with us; failure of a contractor to comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, to the extent that it is responsible for such compliance; and problems of a contractor with managing its workforce, labour, unrest or other employment issues. In addition, we may incur liability to third parties as a result of the actions of a contractor. The occurrence of one or more of these risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our operations are dependent upon the efforts of our employees and our operations would be adversely affected if we fail to maintain satisfactory labour relations. Factors such as work slowdowns or stoppages caused by the attempted unionization of operations and difficulties in recruiting qualified miners and hiring new miners could materially adversely affect our business. This would have a negative effect on our financial condition, business and results of operations; which might result in us not meeting our business objectives.

In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic may cause the Company to have inadequate access to an available skilled workforce.

We are subject to significant governmental regulations.

The operation of the Brucejack Mine, as well as our exploration and development activities are subject to extensive federal, provincial and local laws, regulations and policies governing various matters, including but not limited to:

The Canadian Extractive Sector Transparency Measures Act (“ESTMA”), which became effective June 1, 2015, requires public disclosure of payments to governments by mining companies engaged in the commercial development of minerals who are either publicly listed in Canada or with business or assets in Canada. Mandatory annual reporting is required for extractive companies with respect to payments made to foreign and domestic governments at all levels, including entities established by two or more governments, and including indigenous groups. ESTMA requires reporting on the payments of any taxes, royalties, fees, production entitlements, bonuses, dividends, infrastructure improvement payments, and any other prescribed payment. Failure to report, false reporting or structuring payments to avoid reporting may result in fines. If we find ourselves subject to an enforcement action or in violation of ESTMA, this may result in significant penalties, fines and/or sanctions imposed on us resulting in a material adverse effect on our reputation.

Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations may result in civil or criminal fines or penalties or enforcement actions, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities enjoining or curtailing operations or requiring corrective measures, installation of additional equipment or remedial actions, any of which could result in significant expenditures. We may also be required to compensate private parties suffering loss or damage by reason of a breach of such laws, regulations or permitting requirements. It is also possible that future laws and regulations, or changes in interpretation or more stringent enforcement of current laws and regulations by governmental authorities, could cause us to incur additional expense or capital expenditure restrictions or suspensions of our activities and delays in the exploration and development of our properties.

Our efforts to comply with new rules and regulations have resulted in, and are likely to continue to result in, increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities. If we fail to comply with such regulations, it could have a negative effect on our business, results of operations and share price and investors could lose all or part of their investment. These rules and regulations continue to evolve in scope and complexity and many new requirements have been created in response to laws enacted by governments, making compliance more difficult and uncertain.

We require various permits in order to conduct current and anticipated future operations, and delays in obtaining or failure to obtain such permits, or failure to renew applicable permits or comply with the terms of any such permits that we have obtained, could adversely affect our business.

Our current and anticipated future operations, and further exploration and development on our mineral properties, require permits and other approvals from various governmental authorities. Obtaining or renewing governmental permits is a complex and time-consuming process. The duration and success of efforts to obtain and renew permits are contingent upon many variables not within our control.

We have obtained major permits that were required to complete construction and commence and carry on production at the Brucejack Mine; however, we cannot provide assurance that all rights and permits that we require for our future operations, for construction of mining and other facilities or conduct of mining, will be obtainable or renewable on reasonable terms, or at all. Unexpected costs or delays with the permitting process, failure to obtain required permits or the expiry, revocation or failure to comply with the terms of any such permits that we have obtained, would adversely affect our business.

Our activities are subject to health, safety and environmental laws and regulations that may increase our costs and restrict our operations.

All of our exploration, development, construction, mining, and closure and reclamation activities are subject to regulation by governmental agencies under various environmental and health and safety laws and regulations. These laws address, among other things, emissions into the air, discharges into water, management of waste, management of hazardous substances, protection of natural resources, antiquities and endangered species, reclamation of lands disturbed by mining operations and employee health and safety.

Environmental legislation is evolving, and the general trend has been towards stricter standards and enforcement, increased fines and penalties for noncompliance, more stringent environmental assessments of proposed projects and increasing responsibility for companies and their officers, directors and employees. Compliance with environmental laws and regulations may require significant capital outlays on our behalf and may cause material changes or delays in our intended activities. Future changes in these laws or regulations could have a significant adverse impact on some portion of our business, requiring us to re-evaluate those activities at that time.

Our operations generate residual materials from mining and processing, including chemical and metals depositions in the form of tailings and waste rock. Our ability to obtain, maintain and renew permits and approvals and to successfully develop and operate mines may be adversely affected by real or perceived impacts associated with our activities or of other mining companies that affect the environment, human health and safety. Recent regulations under the Mines Act (British Columbia) increase potential penalties for prosecutions and allow for administrative monetary penalties to be imposed without a court process.

Environmental hazards may exist on our properties that are unknown to us at the present time and have been caused by previous owners or operators or that may have occurred naturally. We may be liable for remediating such damage.

Failure to comply with applicable environmental and health and safety laws, regulations and permitting requirements may have an adverse effect on our business, operations and results therefrom, and our financial condition, including as a result of enforcement actions thereunder, such as orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities, causing operations to cease or be curtailed. Such enforcement actions may include the imposition of corrective measures requiring capital expenditure, installation of new equipment or remedial action. While responsible environmental, health and safety stewardship is one of our top priorities, we cannot assure you that we have been or will be at all times in complete compliance with such laws, regulations and permits, or that the cost of complying with current and future environmental and health and safety laws and permits will not materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

In addition, recent international, national, provincial and local government regulation and prevention measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and any future regulation and prevention measures in response to infectious diseases or the threat of outbreaks of viruses or other contagions or epidemic diseases could have a material adverse effect on the Company by causing operational and supply chain delays and disruptions, labour shortages and shutdowns, social unrest, breach of material contracts and customer agreements, government or regulatory actions or inactions, changes in tax laws, payment deferrals, increased insurance premiums, decreased demand or the inability to sell and deliver precious metals, declines in the price of precious metals, delays in permitting or approvals, governmental disruptions, capital markets volatility, or other unknown but potentially significant impacts.

Compliance with emerging climate change regulations could result in significant costs and the effects of climate change may present physical risks to our operations.

Governments at all levels have been moving towards enacting legislation to address climate change concerns, such as carbon tax, requirements to reduce emission levels and increase energy efficiency, and political and economic events may significantly affect the scope and timing of climate change measures that are ultimately put in place. Where legislation has already been enacted, such regulations may become more stringent, which may result in increased costs of compliance and/or changes in our operations. There is no assurance that compliance with such regulations will not have an adverse effect on our operations and results therefrom, and financial condition. Furthermore, given the evolving nature of the debate related to climate change and resulting requirements, it is not possible to predict the impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

Our operations could be exposed to the detrimental effects of climate change, such as melting of the glacier on which our access road to the Brucejack Mine is built, and to extreme weather events, such as increased periods or amounts of snow, and increased frequency and intensity of storms and/or wildfires. Such events or conditions could disrupt mining and transport operations, exploration and development plans, mineral processing and rehabilitation efforts, and could damage our property or equipment and increase health and safety risks on site. Such events or conditions could also have adverse effect on our workforce and surrounding communities. Our emergency plans for managing extreme weather conditions may not be sufficient and extended disruptions could have adverse effects on our results of operations and financial condition.

We may fail to maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting pursuant to the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other applicable regulations.

We annually document and test our internal control procedures in order to satisfy the requirements of applicable regulations, including Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (“SOX”) in the United States and National Instrument 52-109 – Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings (“NI 52-109”) in Canada. SOX requires an annual assessment by management of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and an attestation report by our independent auditors addressing the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. We may fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting as such standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, and we may not be able to conclude, on an ongoing basis, that we have effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with applicable regulations.

Our failure to satisfy the requirements of applicable regulations, including Section 404 of SOX and NI 52-109, on an ongoing, timely basis could result in the loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which in turn could harm our business and negatively impact the trading price or the market value of our securities. In addition, any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation, could harm our operating results or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. Future acquisitions of companies, if any, may provide us with challenges in implementing the required processes, procedures and controls in our acquired operations. No evaluation can provide complete assurance that our internal control over financial reporting will detect or uncover all failures of persons within our Company to disclose material information otherwise required to be reported.

The effectiveness of our processes, procedures and controls could also be limited by simple errors or faulty judgments. In addition, as we continue to expand, the challenges involved in implementing appropriate internal control over financial reporting will increase and will require that we continue to monitor our internal control over financial reporting. Although we intend to expend substantial time and incur substantial costs, as necessary, to ensure ongoing compliance, we cannot be certain that we will be successful in complying with applicable regulations, including Section 404 of SOX and NI 52-109.

We are subject to various tax-related risks.

Our taxes are affected by a number of factors, some of which are outside of our control, including the application and interpretation of the relevant tax laws and treaties. If our filing position, application of tax incentives or similar tax “holidays” or benefits were to be challenged for any reason, this could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We are subject to routine tax audits by tax authorities. Tax audits may result in additional tax interest payments and penalties which would negatively affect our financial condition and operating results. New laws and regulations or changes in tax rules and regulations or the interpretation of tax laws by the courts or the tax authorities may also have a substantial negative impact on our business. There is no assurance that our current financial condition will not be materially adversely affected in the future due to such changes.

We face potential opposition from non-governmental organizations.

In recent years, communities and non-governmental organizations (“NGOs”) have become more vocal and active with respect to mining activities at or near their communities. These communities and NGOs have taken such actions as road closures, work stoppages, and lawsuits for damages. These actions relate not only to current activities but often in respect of decades old mining activities by prior owners of mining properties. Such actions by communities and NGOs may be disruptive to our operations and may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

There is uncertainty related to unsettled First Nations rights and title in British Columbia and this may create delays in project approval or interruptions in project progress.

The nature and extent of First Nations rights and title remains the subject of active debate, claims and litigation in British Columbia. First Nations in British Columbia have made claims of aboriginal rights and title to substantial portions of land and water in the province, including areas where the Company’s operations are situated, creating uncertainty as to the status of competing property rights. The Supreme Court of Canada has held that indigenous groups may have a spectrum of aboriginal rights in lands that have been traditionally used or occupied by their ancestors. Such aboriginal rights and title are not absolute and may be infringed by government in furtherance of a legislative objective, subject to meeting a justification test. The effect of such claims on any particular area of land will not be determinable until the exact nature of historical use, occupancy and rights to such property have been clarified by a decision of the Courts or definition in a treaty. First Nations in the province are seeking settlements including compensation from governments with respect to these claims, and the effect of these claims cannot be estimated at this time. The federal and provincial governments have been seeking to negotiate settlements with indigenous groups throughout British Columbia in order to resolve many of these claims. Any settlements that may result from these negotiations may involve a combination of cash, resources, grants of conditional rights to undertake traditional pursuits (like hunting, gathering, trapping and fishing) on public lands, and some rights of self-government. The issues surrounding aboriginal title and rights are not likely to be resolved in the near future.

In a landmark decision in 2004, the Supreme Court of Canada determined that there is a duty on government to consult with and, where appropriate, accommodate First Nations where government decisions may impact on claimed, but as yet unproven, aboriginal rights or title. This decision also provided much needed clarification of the duties of consultation and accommodation. This decision was re-enforced in a 2010 decision of the Supreme Court of Canada, in which the Court re-affirmed and re-stated the test for determining when the duty to consult arises. The Court has made clear that third parties are not responsible for consultation or accommodation of indigenous interests and that this responsibility lies with government. However, government permits, including environmental and mine permits, will not be granted by provincial and federal agencies unless they are satisfied that the duty to consult and accommodate has been fully met. In 2005, the Supreme Court of Canada confirmed that this duty exists with respect to claimed treaty rights.

Additional uncertainty has arisen due to the recent decision of the Supreme Court of Canada in Tsilhqot’in Nation v. British Columbia (2014 SCC 44), which recognized the Tsilhqot’in Nation as holding aboriginal title to approximately 1,900 square kilometres of territory in the interior of British Columbia.  This decision represents the first successful claim for aboriginal title in Canada and may lead other First Nations in British Columbia to pursue aboriginal title in their traditional land-use areas.

Our mineral claims and leases lie within territory claimed by First Nations and a portion lies within the Nass Area, as defined in the Nisga’a Final Agreement between the Nisga’a Lisims Government and the Federal and Provincial governments, which came into effect on May 11, 2000. However, there may be overlapping claims by other First Nations. Given the unsettled nature of land claims and treaty rights in British Columbia, as well as the rights of the Nisga’a under the Nisga’a Final Agreement, there can be no guarantee that there will not be delays in any required approvals, unexpected interruptions in project progress, requirements for First Nations consent, cancellation of permits and licences, or additional costs to advance the Company’s projects.

In addition, the Government of Canada has expressed a renewed commitment to implementing the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People (“UNDRIP”), and more recently, the Government of British Columbia passed legislation to incorporate the UNDRIP into the laws of British Columbia. The UNDRIP requires governments to obtain the free, prior, and informed consent of indigenous peoples who may be affected by government action, such as the granting of mining concessions or approval of mine permits.

In order to facilitate mine permitting, construction, commencement and/or expansion of mining activities, we may deem it necessary and prudent to try to obtain the cooperation and approval of the local First Nations groups. Any cooperation and approval may be predicated on our committing to take measures to limit the adverse impacts on local First Nations groups and ensuring that some of the economic benefits of the construction and mining activity will be enjoyed by the local First Nations groups. There can be no guarantee that any of our efforts to secure such cooperation or approval would be successful or that the assertion of First Nations rights and title, or claims of insufficient consultation or accommodation, will not create delays in project approval or unexpected interruptions in project progress, requirements for First Nations consent, cancellation of permits and licences, or result in additional costs to advance our projects.

We may lose our social license to operate.

Our relationship with the communities in which we operate is important to ensure the future success of our existing operations and the development of our projects. While we believe our relationships with the communities in which we operate are strong, community sentiments towards mining may change. There is also an increasing level of public concern relating to the perceived effect of mining activities on the environment and on communities impacted by such activities. Adverse publicity related to extractive industries generally, or its operations specifically, could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, operations or financial condition and may impact our relationship with the communities in which we operate.

In addition, indigenous communities, particularly in remote areas including those in proximity to the Brucejack Mine, face unique circumstances and have specific needs in managing through the COVID-19 pandemic. We established COVID-19 management plans and implemented enhanced protocols and preventative measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 at the onset of the pandemic to protect the well-being of our employees, contractors, their families, local communities and other stakeholders. We continue to follow the stringent COVID-19 infection prevention guidance and directives of federal, provincial and regional authorities in respect of general and mine site-specific protocols and is working in close partnership with its medical service provider, BC Northern Health and Indigenous partners. Nonetheless, any adverse publicity or opinion related to our COVID-19 outbreak in early 2021 or our COVID-19 management plans, protocols, preventative measures and actions may impact our relationship with the communities in which we operate and could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, operations or financial condition.

Our properties may be subject to uncertain title.

We cannot provide assurance that title to our properties will not be challenged. We hold mineral tenures which constitute our property holdings. We may not have, or may not be able to obtain, all necessary surface rights to develop a mineral property. Title insurance is generally not available for mineral properties and our ability to ensure that we have obtained a secure claim to individual mining properties may be severely constrained. We have not conducted surveys of all of the claims in which we hold direct or indirect interests. A successful claim contesting our title to a property could cause us to lose our rights to explore and, if warranted, develop that property or undertake or continue production thereon. This could also result in our not being compensated for our prior expenditures relating to such property.

Land reclamation and mine closure requirements may be burdensome.

Land reclamation and mine closure requirements are generally imposed on mining companies in order to minimize long term effects of land disturbance. Such requirements may include requirements to treat ground and surface water to drinking water standards, control dispersion of potentially deleterious effluent and reasonably re-establish pre-disturbance land forms and vegetation. In order to carry out reclamation and mine closure obligations imposed on us in connection with exploration, development and mining activities, we must allocate financial resources that might otherwise be spent on further exploration and development programs. The actual costs of reclamation and mine closure are uncertain and planned expenditures may differ from the actual expenditures required. Therefore, the amount that we are required to spend may be materially higher than our estimates. Any additional amounts we are required to spend on reclamation and mine closure may have a material adverse effect on our financial performance, financial condition and results of operations.

We may fail to identify attractive acquisition candidates or may fail to successfully integrate acquired material properties.

Our Loan Facility imposes certain limitations on our ability to engage in acquisitions of businesses and assets, as well as the pool of acquisition candidates. Nevertheless, we may actively pursue the acquisition of exploration, development and production assets consistent with the terms of the Credit Agreement and our acquisition and growth strategy. Any acquisition that we may choose to complete may change the scale of our business and operations, and may expose us to new or greater geographic, political, operating, financial, legal and geological risks. Our success in our acquisition activities depends on our ability to identify suitable acquisition candidates, negotiate acceptable terms for any such acquisition and integrate the acquired operations successfully. The identification of attractive candidates and integration of acquired properties, assets or entities involve inherent risks, including but not limited to:

Any one or more of these factors or other risks could cause us not to realize the anticipated benefits of an acquisition of properties or companies, and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. We may not be able to successfully overcome these risks and other problems associated with acquisitions, and this may adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

The process of managing acquisitions may involve unforeseen difficulties and may require a disproportionate amount of management resources, which may divert management’s focus and resources from other strategic opportunities and from operational matters during this process. Any acquisitions would be accompanied by risks. There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully manage the integration and operations of businesses or properties we acquire or that the anticipated benefits of our acquisitions will be realized.

In connection with any future acquisitions, we may incur indebtedness or issue equity securities, resulting in increased interest expense or dilution of the percentage ownership of existing shareholders. Acquisition costs, additional indebtedness or issuances of securities in connection with such acquisitions, may adversely affect the price of our Common Shares and negatively affect our results of operations.

We may be adversely affected by future fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.

Our potential profitability is exposed to the financial risk related to the fluctuation of foreign exchange rates. The minerals that could be produced from our projects are priced in United States dollars but, since our only projects are located in Canada, the majority of our estimated expenditures are in Canadian dollars. A significant change in the currency exchange rates between the Canadian dollar relative to the United States dollar will have an effect on the potential profitability of our projects and therefore our ability to continue to finance our operations. To the extent that the actual Canadian dollar to United States dollar exchange rate is less than or more than the rate estimated in any future development plans, the profitability of our projects will be affected. Accordingly, our prospects, financial performance and forecasts may suffer due to adverse currency fluctuations.

The mining industry is very competitive.

The mining industry is very competitive in all of its phases and we compete with other exploration and producing companies, many of which are better capitalized, have greater financial resources, operational experience and technical capabilities or are further advanced in their development or are significantly larger and have access to greater Mineral Reserves. There is intense competition in the mining industry for the acquisition of mineral claims, leases and other mineral interests that can be developed and produced economically, the capital for the purposes of funding such properties, as well as for the recruitment and retention of qualified employees and other personnel, including technical expertise to find, develop and operate such properties and the labour to operate such properties. If we require and are unsuccessful in acquiring additional mineral properties, necessary capital or qualified personnel, we will not be able to grow at the rate we desire, or at all.

Our competitors may be able to devote greater resources to the expansion and efficiency of their operations or respond more quickly to new laws and regulations or emerging technologies, market and industry trends than we can. We may not be able to compete successfully against current and future competitors, and any failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We may experience difficulty attracting and retaining qualified management and personnel.

We compete with other mining companies as well as other companies operating in northern British Columbia to attract and retain key personnel. We are dependent on the services of key executives and other highly skilled and experienced personnel to advance our corporate objectives as well as to identify new opportunities for growth and funding. Our current executive officers are set out under the heading “Directors and Officers” in this AIF. It will be necessary for us to recruit additional skilled and experienced management and personnel. Our inability to do so, or the loss of key executives, or our inability to attract and retain suitable replacements for such executives or the additional highly skilled employees required for our activities, would have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, operations, and financial condition.

Changes in management team or failure to successfully transition new hires or promoted employees into their roles may be disruptive.

Changes in our management team may be disruptive to our business, and any failure to successfully transition and assimilate key new hires or promoted employees could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Some of our directors and officers have conflicts of interest as a result of their involvement with other natural resource companies.

Certain of our directors and officers also serve as directors or officers, or have significant shareholdings in, other companies involved in natural resource exploration and development or mining-related activities. To the extent that such other companies may participate in ventures that we may also participate in, or in ventures that we may seek to participate in, our directors and officers may have a conflict of interest in negotiating and concluding terms respecting the extent of such participation. In all cases where our directors and officers have an interest in other companies, such other companies may also compete with us for the acquisition of mineral property investments. Such conflicts of our directors and officers may result in a material and adverse effect on our profitability, results of operation and financial condition. As a result of these conflicts of interest, we may miss the opportunity to participate in certain transactions, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial position.

We may be unable to attract development partners.

We may seek to develop some or all of our projects in partnership with one or more third parties in a corporate or contractual joint venture, or otherwise, or to dispose of some part or of its project to another party, retaining a royalty interest therein. We may be unable to find such partners or to negotiate satisfactory terms therewith, in which case we will be obliged to either postpone development of such project or proceed alone with the costs of further development.

Failure to comply with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) and the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act of Canada (“CFPOA”), as well as the anti-bribery laws of other nations in which we conduct business, could subject us to penalties and other adverse consequences.

Our business is subject to the FCPA which generally prohibits companies and company employees from engaging in bribery or other prohibited payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. The FCPA also requires companies to maintain accurate books and records and internal controls, including at foreign-controlled subsidiaries. In addition, we are subject to the CFPOA and other anti-bribery laws of the nations in which we conduct business that apply similar prohibitions as the FCPA (such as the UK’s Bribery Act and the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention). Our employees or other agents may, without our knowledge and despite our efforts, engage in prohibited conduct under our policies and procedures and the FCPA, the CFPOA or other anti-bribery laws that we may be subject to for which we may be held responsible. If our employees or other agents are found to have engaged in such practices, we could suffer severe penalties and other consequences that may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Changes in rules and regulations, including potential new accounting pronouncements, are likely to impact our future financial position or results of operations.

We are subject to changing rules and regulations promulgated by a number of governmental and self-regulated organizations, including but not limited to the SEC, Canadian Securities Administrators, stock exchanges and the International Accounting Standards Board. These rules and regulations continue to evolve in scope and complexity and many new requirements have been created in response to laws that have been enacted, making compliance more difficult and uncertain. Future changes in financial accounting standards may cause adverse, unexpected revenue fluctuations and affect our financial position or results of operations. New pronouncements and varying interpretations of pronouncements have occurred with greater frequency in recent financial years and are expected to occur in the future. Our efforts to comply with new and changing rules and regulations have resulted in, and are likely to continue to result in, increased expenses and a diversion of management time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities. In addition, all of these uncertainties are leading generally toward increasing costs, which may adversely affect our business, results of operations and our ability to purchase any such insurance, at acceptable rates or at all, in the future.

Our insurance coverage does not cover all of our potential losses, liabilities and damages related to our business and certain risks are uninsured and/or uninsurable.

Our business is subject to a number of risks and hazards generally, including adverse environmental conditions, industrial accidents, labour disputes, unusual or unexpected geological conditions, ground or slope failures, cave-ins, mechanical failures, changes in the regulatory environment and natural phenomena such as inclement weather conditions, fires, floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes. Such occurrences could result in damage to mineral properties or production facilities, personal injury or death, environmental damage to mineral properties or the properties of others, delays in mining, monetary losses and possible legal liability.

Although we maintain insurance to protect against certain risks in such amounts we consider reasonable, our insurance will not cover all of the potential risks associated with a mining company’s operations and the risks associated with being a publicly-trade company generally. We may also be unable to maintain insurance to cover these risks at economically feasible premiums. Insurance coverage may not continue to be available or may not be adequate to cover any resulting liability. Moreover, insurance against risks such as loss of title to mineral property, environmental pollution, or other hazards as a result of exploration and production is not generally available to us or to other companies in the mining industry on acceptable terms. We might also become subject to liability for pollution or other hazards which may not be insured against or which we may elect not to insure against because of premium costs or other reasons. We may suffer a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition as a result of losses related to any event that is not covered, or adequately covered, by our insurance policies.

Our information systems are vulnerable to an increasing threat of continually evolving cyber security risks.

Unauthorized parties may attempt to gain access to our information systems or our information through fraud or other means of deceiving our counterparties, third-party service providers or vendors. We are dependent on information technology (“IT”) and operational technology (“OT”) systems and software in the conduct of our operations. The Brucejack Mine and mill are networked such that we could be adversely affected by network disruptions from a variety of sources, including, without limitation, computer viruses, security breaches, cyber attacks, natural disasters, inclement weather, and defects in design. Our operations depend, in part, on how well we and our suppliers, as well as counterparties, protect networks, equipment, IT and OT systems and software against damage and unauthorized access from a number of threats. Our operations also depend on the timely maintenance, upgrade and replacement of networks, equipment, IT and OT systems and software, as well as pre-emptive expenses to mitigate the risks of failures. Any of these and other events could result in information system failures, delays and/or increases in capital and operating expenses.

The failure of information systems or a component of information systems could, depending on the nature of any such failure, adversely impact our reputation and results of operations. Although to date we have not experienced any material losses relating to cyber attacks or other information security breaches, there can be no assurance that we will not incur such losses in the future. Our risk and exposure to these matters cannot be fully mitigated because of, among other things, the evolving nature of these threats. As a result, cyber security and the continued development and enhancement of controls, processes and practices designed to protect systems, computers, software, data and networks from attack, damage or unauthorized access remain a priority. Any future significant compromise or breach of our data security, whether external or internal, or misuse of data, could result in additional significant costs, lost sales, fines and lawsuits, and damage to our reputation. In addition, as the regulatory environment related to information security, data collection and use, and privacy becomes increasingly rigorous, with new and constantly changing requirements applicable to our business and counterparties to the above noted agreements, compliance with those requirements could also result in additional costs. As cyber threats continue to evolve, we or our counterparties may be required to expend additional resources to continue to modify or enhance protective measures or to investigate and remediate any security vulnerabilities.

Anti-takeover provisions could discourage a third party from making a takeover offer that could be beneficial to our shareholders.

Some of the provisions in the articles of the Company could delay or prevent a third party from acquiring us or replacing members of our Board, even if the acquisition or the replacements would be beneficial to our shareholders. Such provisions include that our shareholders cannot amend our articles unless at least two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote approve the amendment. These provisions could also reduce the price that certain investors might be willing to pay for our securities and result in the market price for our securities, including the market price for our Common Shares, being lower than it would be without these provisions.

A period of significant growth can place a strain on management systems.

If we experience a period of significant growth in the number of our personnel, this could place a strain upon our management systems and resources. Our future will depend in part on the ability of our officers and other key employees to implement and improve our financial and management controls, reporting systems and procedures on a timely basis and to expand, train and manage our employee workforce. There can be no assurance that we will be able to effectively manage such growth. Our failure to do so could have a material adverse effect upon our business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition.

Significant shareholders of the Company could influence our business operations and sales of our Common Shares by such significant shareholders could influence our Common Share price.

As at the date of this AIF, to the best of our knowledge, Van Eck Associates holds approximately 11.2% of our outstanding Common Shares, Letko, Brosseau and Associates Inc. holds approximately 5.7% of our outstanding Common Shares and Black Rock Asset Management holds approximately 5.5% of our outstanding Common Shares.

Collectively, these shareholders hold approximately 22.4% of our Common Shares and as a result, these shareholders may have significant influence over the passage of any resolution of our shareholders and, as a result, our business operations and governance practices. Sales of substantial amounts of our securities by these significant shareholders could adversely affect the prevailing market prices for our securities.

An event of default under our outstanding Notes may significantly reduce our liquidity and adversely affect our business.

Under the Indenture, we have made various covenants to the trustees on behalf of the holders of such Notes, including to make payments of interest and principal when due and, upon undergoing a fundamental change, to offer to purchase all of the outstanding Notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest, if any. If there is an event of default under the Notes, the principal amount of such Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, may be declared immediately due and payable. If such an event occurs, this would place additional strain on our cash resources, which could inhibit our ability to further advance our exploration and development activities.

Damage to our reputation can adversely affect our business.

Damage to our reputation can be the result of the actual or perceived occurrence of any number of events, and could include any negative publicity, whether true or not. We place a great emphasis on protecting our image and reputation, but do not ultimately have direct control over how it is perceived by others. The increased use of social media and other web-based tools used to generate, publish and discuss user-generated content and to connect with other users has made it increasingly easier for individuals and groups to communicate and share opinions and views in regard to us and our activities, whether true or not. Reputation loss may lead to increased challenges in developing and maintaining community relations, decreased investor confidence and an impediment to our overall ability to advance our projects, thereby having a material adverse impact on our business, prospects, operations and our financial condition.

Our ESG practices and reporting may be considered inadequate which may impact our reputation and/or ability to obtain financing

In the last several years, the importance of environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) performance requirements, standards and reporting has increased significantly across all stakeholder groups. While we have in place numerous programs and commitments with respect to ESG, there is no assurance that we will be able to adequately address all ESG pressures and potential requirements to maintain stakeholder confidence.

There exist many ESG analytics companies that review and report on our response to ESG matters, including climate change but also other matters relating to sustainable operations and governance. In addition, the proliferation of ESG reporting standards and frameworks has led to lack uniformity and consistency in the standards and frameworks, and to duplicative efforts by reporters.

ESG factors, including climate change are increasingly becoming a metric for institutional shareholders to review and assess the performance of the Company and a significant factor in investment decision. We have robust systems in place to manage ESG matters at our operations, and to ensure proper and complete reporting thereof. However, there are no assurances that our efforts will be sufficient or meet all or any of the standards and frameworks set by various ESG analysts or institutional or other investors or that our efforts will accurately be reported on, which can adversely impact our reputation. In addition, our ability to obtain future financing or access capital may be impacted by our practices in respect of, and reporting on, ESG matters and the evaluation of our practices by third party rating agencies on ESG matters.

Technological Change

The mining industry is in the early stages of a digital revolution with the potential to unlock significant value. We are increasingly dependent on IT and OT systems and software in the conduct of our operations. New technologies and the emergence of new industry standards and practices could render our existing technologies, standards and practices obsolete. Our long-term success will depend on our ability to adapt and respond to, and utilize, technological advances and emerging industry standards in a timely and cost-effective way . There can be assurance that we will be able to adapt and respond to, and utilize these changes.

Risks Related to Our Securities

Future sales or issuances of debt or equity securities could decrease the value of any existing Common Shares, dilute investors’ voting power, reduce our earnings per share and make future sales of our equity securities more difficult.

We may sell or issue additional debt or equity securities in offerings to finance our operations, exploration, development, acquisitions or other projects. We cannot predict the size of future issuances of debt or equity securities or the effect, if any, that future sales and issuances of debt or equity securities will have on the market price of the Common Shares.

Additional issuances of our securities may involve the issuance of a significant number of our Common Shares at prices less than the current market price for the Common Shares. Issuance of substantial numbers of Common Shares, or the perception that such issuances could occur, may adversely affect prevailing market prices of the Common Shares. Any transaction involving the issuance of previously authorized but unissued Common Shares, or securities convertible into Common Shares, would result in dilution, possibly substantial, to security holders. Sales of substantial amounts of our securities by us or our existing shareholders, or the availability of such securities for sale, could adversely affect the prevailing market prices for our securities and, in the case of sales of our securities from treasury, dilute investors’ earnings per share. Sales of our Common Shares by shareholders might also make it more difficult for us to sell equity securities at a time and price that we deem appropriate. Exercises of presently outstanding share options or settlement of presently outstanding restricted share units or performance share units in Common Shares may also result in dilution to security holders. A decline in the market prices of our securities could impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of securities should we desire to do so.

Our Common Share price has experienced volatility and may be subject to fluctuation in the future based on market conditions and our operation and financial performance.

The market prices for the securities of mining companies, including our own, have historically been highly volatile. The market has from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are unrelated to the operating performance of any particular company. In addition, because of the nature of our business, certain factors such as our announcements and the public’s reaction, our operating and financial performance and the performance of competitors and other similar companies, fluctuations in the market prices of inputs and prices received for our production, government regulations, changes in earnings estimates or recommendations by research analysts who track our securities or securities of other companies in the resource sector, general market conditions, announcements relating to litigation, the arrival or departure of key personnel, political conditions, and the factors listed under the heading “Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information” can have an adverse impact on the market price of our Common Shares. In addition, securities of public companies, including our own, may be subject from time to time to manipulative trading tactics of third parties, which are beyond our control and which can have an adverse impact on the market price of our Common Shares.

Any negative change in the public’s perception of our prospects could cause the price of our securities, including the price of our Common Shares, to decrease dramatically. Furthermore, any negative change in the public’s perception of the prospects of mining companies in general could depress the price of our securities, including the price of our Common Shares, regardless of our results.

Following declines in the market price of a company’s securities, securities class-action litigation is often instituted. Litigation of this type, if instituted, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources. See “Legal Proceedings and Regulatory Actions”.

We are limited in our ability to, and may not, pay dividends in the foreseeable future.

We have never declared nor paid any dividends on our Common Shares. Under our Loan Facility, we were prohibited from declaring and paying, in cash, any dividend, distribution or return of capital with respect to, or repurchasing for cash consideration, our Common Shares until 2020. We may now declare and pay cash dividends, distributions and returns of capital, and may repurchase our Common Shares in limited circumstances and provided such payments do not exceed US$40 million per year.

The payment of future dividends, if any, will be reviewed periodically by our Board and will depend upon, among other things, conditions then existing including earnings, financial conditions, cash on hand, financial requirements to fund our exploration activities, development and growth, and other factors that our Board may consider appropriate in the circumstance. See “Dividends and Distributions”.

Enforcement of judgments or bringing actions outside the United States against us and our directors, officers and the experts named herein may be difficult.

We are organized under the laws of, and headquartered in, British Columbia, Canada, and a majority of our directors, officers and the experts named in this AIF are not citizens or residents of the United States. In addition, substantially all of our assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for an investor to (i) enforce in courts outside the United States judgments against us and our directors, officers and the experts named in this AIF obtained in U.S. courts based upon the civil liability provisions of U.S. federal securities laws or (ii) bring in courts outside the United States an original action against us and our directors, officers and the experts named in this AIF to enforce liabilities based upon such U.S. securities laws. There is doubt as to the enforceability, in original actions in Canadian courts, of liabilities based upon U.S. federal securities laws and as to the enforceability in Canadian courts of judgments of U.S. courts obtained in actions based upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws. Therefore, it may not be possible to enforce those actions against us, certain of our directors and officers or the experts named in this AIF.

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

We have not, since the date of incorporation, declared or paid any dividends on our Common Shares, and do not currently have a policy with respect to the payment of dividends.

Under our Loan Facility, we were prohibited from declaring and paying, in cash, any dividend, distribution or return of capital with respect to, or repurchasing for cash consideration, our Common Shares until 2020. We may now declare and pay cash dividends, distributions and returns of capital, and may repurchase our Common Shares, provided such payments do not exceed $40 million per year, and subject to Board approval and our pro forma compliance with financial covenants set out in the Credit Agreement and a leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) of less than or equal to 1.5x. See “Our Business – Indebtedness – Debt Refinancing” in this AIF.

The payment of future dividends, if any, will be reviewed periodically by our Board and will depend upon, among other things, conditions then existing including earnings, financial conditions, cash on hand, financial requirements to fund our exploration activities, development and growth, and other factors that our Board may consider appropriate in the circumstance.