Le Lézard
Classified in: Mining industry, Business, Covid-19 virus
Subject: EARNINGS

Cornish Metals Releases Unaudited Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis for the Six Months Ended July 31, 2021


VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 23, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cornish Metals Inc. (TSX-V/AIM: CUSN) ("Cornish Metals" or the "Company"), a mineral exploration and development company focused on its projects in Cornwall, United Kingdom, is pleased to announce that it has released its interim unaudited financial statements and management, discussion and analysis ("MD&A") for the six months ended July 31, 2021. The reports are available under the Company's profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and on the Company's website (www.cornishmetals.com).

Highlights for the six months ended July 31, 2021 and for the period ending September 22, 2021

(All figures expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated)

Richard Williams, CEO of Cornish Metals, stated, "The past six months has been a busy period for the Company after the successful listing on AIM earlier in the year. The Company's capital structure has been simplified through the conversion of the Osisko loan note into royalties and the restructuring of the deferred consideration payable in respect of the acquisition of the Cornwall mineral properties into fixed payments linked to project related milestones.

Operationally, after the commencement of the exploration program at United Downs in April, we have reported promising results from the first 3,000 meters of drilling, with further drilling planned to fully determine the extent of mineralization at United Downs. We have also reported a substantial increase in mineral resource for South Crofty with further potential with the major lode structures remaining open along strike.

After the simplification of our capital structure and increase in mineral resource, we are assessing various financing options to progress South Crofty which remains a key strategic asset for the Company. South Crofty could potentially play a pivotal role in securing a domestic and sustainable source of battery metals as the UK transitions to a low carbon economy."

Review of activities

Listing on AIM

On February 16, 2021, the Company completed its listing and concurrent financing on AIM issuing 117,226,572 common shares at a price of £0.07 ($0.12), raising gross proceeds of £8,205,860 ($14,434,108 based on February 12, 2021 closing exchange rate). The Company's shares continue to be listed and traded on the TSX-V.

The proceeds from the AIM listing are being used to conduct a drill program at the United Downs exploration project to determine the resource potential of a 1,000 meter strike section of the main target area, to conduct initial field work (soil sampling and geophysics and possible drill testing) on other high priority exploration targets within transport distance of the proposed South Crofty process plant, and for general working capital purposes.

Pursuant to the Listing, the Company, SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP (the Company's nominated adviser on AIM) and Osisko Development Corporation ("ODV", a significant shareholder of the Company), entered into a Relationship Agreement which governed ODV's conduct as a significant shareholder in the Company. Following exercises of warrants subsequent to the Company's listing on AIM, ODV's shareholding in the Company has since fallen below 20.0%, which has resulted in the termination of the Relationship Agreement.

Conversion of Osisko loan note into royalties

On February 19, 2021, Osisko Gold Royalties Limited ("Osisko") exercised its royalty option and converted its loan note with a face value of $7.17 million into two royalties as follows:

In connection with the conversion of the loan note, Osisko agreed to release the comprehensive security package entered into by the Company in January 2018 pursuant to the loan note, and has instead agreed to a more simplified and reduced security package for the Royalty Agreements. The reduced security package is in practice restricted to the Company's subsidiary, Cornish Minerals Limited (Bermuda), which holds the Company's mineral rights. Liquidated damages also become payable to Osisko in the event of default.

Both royalties become payable from the commencement of production which is defined in the Royalty Agreements. The royalties are payable on all products which include any and all metals, minerals and products or by-products thereof.

Agreement of South Crofty leases and disposal of mine water treatment waste

On March 8, 2021, agreement was reached with Brownfield Investments Limited and Roskear Minerals LLP ("Roskear Minerals") to lease a 1.2 hectare site surrounding New Roskear Shaft in Camborne, Cornwall for up to 23 years. This agreement secures access to the New Roskear Shaft, a 650 meter deep, six meter diameter, vertical shaft in the center of Camborne, which is important for ventilation and secondary access / egress to the South Crofty mine.

Also on March 8, 2021, agreement was reached to lease the mineral rights owned by Roskear Minerals within the South Crofty tin project for up to 25 years. This agreement enables the Company to explore and develop the mineral resources that are contained in the Roskear section of the South Crofty mine. During the 1980s and 1990s, much of the ore mined from the South Crofty mine originated from this part of the mine, and it is considered by the Company to be a key area for delineation of additional mineral resources.

Additionally, a binding heads of terms was agreed with Wheal Jane Limited for the disposal of waste material derived from the treatment of mine water from the South Crofty mine into the Wheal Jane tailings dam located 12 kilometers east of South Crofty. The agreement will become effective when dewatering of the South Crofty mine commences.

Updated mineral resource estimate released for South Crofty mine

An initial mineral resource estimate ("MRE") was prepared in 2016 by P&E Mining Consultants. Since then, additional sampling information has been audited, verified and added to the resource model leading to an updated MRE for the Lower Mine and a re-stated MRE for the Upper Mine using updated metal prices to calculate tin equivalent grades.

An updated MRE for South Crofty mine was released on June 9, 2021 which showed a 10.2% increase in Indicated Resource to 2.08 million tonnes, grading 1.59% tin, and a 129.8% increase in Inferred Resource to 1.94 million tonnes, grading 1.67% tin. These figures are for the Lower Mine and are prepared in accordance with the JORC Code (2012).

A summary of the updated MRE is tabulated below:

South Crofty Summary Mineral Resource Estimate
AreaClassificationMass
(000' tonnes)
Grade Contained Tin /
Tin Equivalent
(000' tonnes)
Increase in contained
Tin / Tin equivalent
from 2016 MRE
Lower MineIndicated 2,0841.59% Sn3310.20%
Inferred1,9371.67% Sn32129.80%
 
Upper MineIndicated2771.01% SnEq39.50%
Inferred4930.93% SnEq58.00%

The Lower Mine MRE is reported using a 0.6% tin cut-off grade and the Upper Mine is reported using a 0.6% tin equivalent cut-off grade, the same cut-off grades applied in the MRE prepared in 2016. The MRE was prepared by the Company's geological team and independently reviewed and verified by AMC Consultants (UK) Ltd.

The Lower Mine contains tin mineralization within quartz-tourmaline veins or "lode" structures, which are hosted entirely within granitic rocks. The Upper Mine contains tin, copper and zinc mineralization within quartz-chlorite veins, predominantly hosted within meta-sedimentary units. The major lode structures that comprise the MRE remain open along strike and to depth.

Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of mineral resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues.

Results from ongoing exploration program at United Downs

After receiving confirmation of its permitted development rights from Cornwall Council, being the relevant Mineral Planning Authority, the Company commenced its exploration program at United Downs in early April 2021. The drilling activities have been contracted to Priority Drilling Limited, under the supervision of the Company's geological team.

The first phase of the drill program has focused on tracing along strike the recently discovered high-grade copper-tin mineralization in a structure now named the "UD Lode" (formerly the Lithium Lode). The UD Lode has been intersected in five of the six drill holes reported to date. The UD Lode has been traced over a strike length in excess of 200 meters to a depth of 400 meters and it remains open along strike.

In addition, four new zones of copper / tin / silver mineralization have been intersected adjacent to the main target demonstrating the wider prospectivity of United Downs. Drilling is ongoing to fully determine the lateral and vertical extent of these zones of mineralization.

A second target 900 meters to the south of the UD Lode, called Trenares Lode, is now also being drill tested.

Details of the intercepts from the ongoing drill program reported to date can be found in the press releases dated July 5, 2021 and August 30, 2021. The results reported to date represent a total of 3,042 meters of drilling. A further 5,000 meters to 6,000 meters of drilling is planned under the program.

The ongoing drill program at United Downs is part of the plan to advance the project to Inferred Mineral Resource definition within 18 months from the AIM listing, subject to the results of the program.

Restructuring of the deferred consideration payable for the Cornwall mineral properties

On June 30, 2021, agreement was reached with Galena Special Situations Limited (formerly Galena Special Situations Master Fund Limited) and Tin Shield Production Inc. (together the "Sellers") to restructure the outstanding deferred consideration payable to the Sellers on the acquisition of the South Crofty tin project and associated mineral rights (the "Side Letter"). The fixed and variable payments that existed under the original share purchase agreement ("SPA") have been replaced with fixed payments linked to pre-agreed project related milestones.

Prior to entering into the Side Letter, the balance of consideration payable to the Sellers pursuant to the SPA was as follows:

Pursuant to the Side Letter, the new fixed payments comprising the balance of consideration payable to the Sellers are as follows:

Shareholder approval for the issuance of 7,000,000 common shares pursuant to the Side Letter was received on July 31, 2021. Regulatory approval remains pending.

Financial highlights for the six months ended July 31, 2021

 Six months ended (unaudited)
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)July 31, 2021July 31, 2020
   
Total operating expenses1,625,462746,938
Loss for the period1,097,062789,476
Net cash used in operating activities1,710,060657,510
Net cash used in investing activities1,383,840838,790
Net cash provided by financing activities13,065,5941,088,153
Cash at end of the financial period10,138,512893,068

Outlook

The proceeds from the recently completed AIM listing are being used to conduct a drill program at the United Downs exploration project, to conduct initial field work on other high priority exploration targets within transport distance of South Crofty, and for general working capital purposes. Management believes that, subject to drilling success, the proceeds from the AIM listing will result in the Company being fully funded to the completion of a maiden JORC resource at the United Downs exploration project.

Within 12 to 18 months of the date of the AIM listing, the Company plans to:

In the longer term, the Company intends to develop the South Crofty tin project as and when economic conditions and cashflows are supportive.

ABOUT CORNISH METALS

Cornish Metals completed the acquisition of the South Crofty tin and United Downs copper / tin projects, plus additional mineral rights located in Cornwall, UK, in July 2016 (see Company news release dated July 12, 2016). The additional mineral rights cover an area of approximately 15,000 hectares and are distributed throughout Cornwall. Some of these mineral rights cover old mines that were historically worked for copper, tin, zinc, and tungsten.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

"Richard D. Williams"
Richard D. Williams, P.Geo

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Caution regarding forward looking statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements, while based on management's best estimates and assumptions at the time such statements are made, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: risks related to receipt of regulatory approvals, risks related to general economic and market conditions; risks related to the COVID-19 global pandemic and any variants of COVID-19 which may arise; risks related to the availability of financing; the timing and content of upcoming work programs; actual results of proposed exploration activities; possible variations in Mineral Resources or grade; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes, title disputes, claims and limitations on insurance coverage and other risks of the mining industry; changes in national and local government regulation of mining operations, tax rules and regulations.

Although Cornish Metals has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Cornish Metals undertakes no obligation or responsibility to update forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("MAR"), and is disclosed in accordance with the Company's obligations under Article 17 of MAR.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

(Unaudited)
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)

 July 31, 2021January 31, 2021
   
ASSETS  
   
Current  
Cash$10,138,512  $353,601 
Marketable securities 1,734,127   1,004,307 
Receivables 115,821   23,644 
Deferred financing fees -   688,839 
Deferred costs on conversion of royalty option -   151,037 
Prepaid expenses 205,640    41,691 
  12,194,100   2,263,119 
   
Deposits  54,035   36,976 
Property, plant and equipment 6,315,776   6,371,852 
Exploration and evaluation assets  10,920,149   9,507,859 
   
 $29,484,060  $18,179,806 
   
   
LIABILITIES   
   
Current  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities$680,937  $947,124 
Lease liability  4,372    20,389 
  685,309   967,513 
Lease liability  2,810   - 
Debt  -   5,993,803 
Royalty option  -   2,886,514 
NSR liability   8,541,188   - 
   9,229,307    9,847,830 
   
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY  
Capital stock 53,900,099   40,737,065 
Share subscriptions received in advance -   189,902 
Capital contribution 2,007,665   2,007,665 
Share-based payment reserve 922,760   846,212 
Foreign currency translation reserve 209,187   239,028 
Deficit  (36,784,958)   (35,687,896)
   
  20,254,753   8,331,976 
   
 $29,484,060  $18,179,806 

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF LOSS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(Unaudited)
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)

 Six months ended
 July 31, 2021July 31, 2020
   
EXPENSES  
Accretion$15,764  $131,046 
Advertising and promotion 166,026   77,180 
Depreciation 23,316   44,777 
Finance cost 3,895   623 
Insurance 43,918   38,931 
Office, miscellaneous and rent 39,712   24,217 
Professional fees 704,810   66,297 
Generative exploration expense 4,376   - 
Regulatory and filing fees 91,704   19,531 
Share-based compensation 76,548   - 
Salaries, directors' fees and benefits  455,393    344,336 
   
Total operating expenses (1,625,462)  (746,938)
   
Interest income 497   4,318 
Foreign exchange loss (203,001)  (251)
Realized loss on marketable securities (237)  - 
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities 733,120   (46,605)
Loss on the disposal of property, plant and equipment  (1,979)   - 
   
Loss for the period (1,097,062)  (789,476)
   
Foreign currency translation  (29,841)   128,136 
Total comprehensive loss for the period$(1,126,903) $(661,340)
   
Basic and diluted loss per share$(0.00) $(0.00)
   
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: 259,248,342   133,301,552 

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)

 Six months ended
 July 31, 2021July 31, 2020
   
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES  
Loss for the period$(1,097,062) $(789,476)
Items not involving cash:  
Accretion 15,764   131,046 
Depreciation 23,316   44,777 
Share-based compensation 76,548   - 
Finance cost 3,895   623 
Realized loss on marketable securities 237   - 
Unrealized loss (gain) on marketable securities (733,120)  46,605 
Loss on the disposal of property, plant and equipment 1,979   - 
Foreign exchange loss 203,001   251 
   
Changes in non-cash working capital items:  
Increase in receivables (92,177)  (58,408)
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses (76,990)  27,748 
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities  (35,451)   (60,676)
   
Net cash used in operating activities  (1,710,060)   (657,510)
   
   
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES  
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment
 (81,890
)  (318,007
)
Acquisition of exploration and evaluation assets (1,287,953)  (458,983)
Proceeds from the sale of marketable securities, net 3,063   - 
Increase in deposits (17,060)  (61,800)
Net cash used in investing activities  (1,383,840)   (838,790)
   
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES  
Proceeds from AIM listing 14,244,206   - 
Proceeds from private placement financing -   1,177,500 
Proceeds from option and warrant exercises 235,750   - 
Share issue costs (1,162,613)  (49,427)
Conversion of royalty option costs (226,290)  - 
Lease payments  (25,459)   (39,920)
   
Net cash used in by financing activities  13,065,594    1,088,153 
   
Impact of foreign exchange on cash  (186,783)   (4,038)
   
Change in cash during the period 9,784,911   (412,185)
Cash, beginning of the period  353,601    1,305,253 
   
Cash, end of the period$10,138,512  $893,068 
   

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

(Unaudited)
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)

 Number of
shares
 Amount  Share
subscriptions
received in
advance
  Capital
contribution
 Share-based
payment
reserve
  Foreign
currency translation
reserve
  Deficit  Total 
Balance at January 31, 202086,768,585$37,271,686 $1,175,000 $2,007,665$732,930 $149,996 $(34,280,418)$7,056,859 
Share issuance pursuant to private placement financing47,050,000 2,352,500  (1,175,000) - -  -  -  1,177,500 
Share issue costs- (21,621) -  - -  -  -  (21,621)
Forfeiture of stock options- -  -  - (63,522) -  63,522  - 
Foreign currency translation- -  -  - -  128,136  -  128,136 
Loss for the period- -  -  - -  -  (789,476) (789,476)
Balance at July 31, 2020133,818,585 $ 39,602,565 $ - $ 2,007,665$ 669,408  $ 278,132 $ (35,006,372 )$ 7,551,398  
         
Balance at January 31, 2021149,918,585$40,737,065 $189,902 $2,007,665$846,212 $239,028 $(35,687,896)$8,331,976 
Share issuance pursuant to
AIM listing
117,226,572 14,434,108  (189,902) - -  -  -  14,244,206 
Share issue costs- (1,506,824) -  - -  -  -  (1,506,824)
Warrant exercises2,575,000 205,750  -  - -  -  -  205,750 
Option exercises200,000 30,000  -  - -  -  -  30,000 
Share-based compensation- -  -  - 76,548  -  -  76,548 
Foreign currency translation- -  -  - -  (29,841) -  (29,841)
Loss for the period- -  -  - -  -  (1,097,062) (1,097,062)
Balance at July 31, 2021269,920,157 $ 53,900,099 $ - $ 2,007,665$ 922,760  $ 209,187 $ (36,784,958 )$ 20,254,753  



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