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NGEx Minerals

ngex · TSX-V
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FY2021 Annual Report · NGEx Minerals
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NGEX MINERALS LTD. 

2021 YEAR END REPORT 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis 

and 
Consolidated Financial Statements 

For the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2021 

(AUDITED) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NGEX MINERALS LTD. 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS 
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 
(Amounts in Canadian Dollars unless otherwise indicated) 

The  following  management’s  discussion  and  analysis  (“MD&A”)  of  NGEx  Minerals  Ltd.  (“NGEx  Minerals”  or  the 
“Company”) should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 
31, 2021 and related notes therein. The financial information in this MD&A is reported in Canadian dollars unless 
otherwise  indicated  and  is  derived  from  the  Company’s  annual  consolidated  financial  statements  prepared  in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting 
Standards Board. The effective date of this MD&A is April 13, 2022. Additional information about the Company and 
its business activities is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and the Company’s website www.ngexminerals.com. 

NGEx Minerals was  incorporated on February  21,  2019 under the  Canada Business  Corporations Act in connection 
with  a  plan  of  arrangement  to  reorganize  the  business  of  Josemaria  Resources  Inc.  (“Josemaria”),  which  was 
completed on July 17, 2019 (the “Josemaria Arrangement”). Accordingly, certain comparative information presented 
in this MD&A has been prepared on a continuity of interest basis of accounting, which requires that prior to July 17, 
2019, the assets, liabilities and results of operations and cash flows of NGEx Minerals be on a ‘carve-out’ basis from 
the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of Josemaria, in accordance with the financial reporting 
framework  specified  in  subsection  3.11(6)  of  National  Instruments  52-107,  Acceptable Accounting Principles and 
Auditing Standards,  for carve-out financial statements. As the carve-out  entity did not operate as a separate  legal 
entity prior to July 17, 2019, the financial position, results of operations and cash flows do not necessarily reflect the 
financial position, results of operations and cash flows had the carve-out entity operated as an independent entity 
during the comparative periods presented. 

Some of the statements in this MD&A are forward-looking statements that are subject to risk factors set out in the 
cautionary note contained herein. 

CORE BUSINESS 

NGEx Minerals is a mineral exploration company with current exploration projects in Argentina and Chile. While the 
Company currently holds copper-gold and gold projects in South America, going forward it may also consider other 
jurisdictions and commodities with an emphasis on the quality and value-creation potential of each opportunity rather 
than a strict commodity or geographic focus.  

The  Company’s  current  flagship  asset  is  its  Los  Helados  copper-gold  deposit,  located  in  Region  III  of  Chile.  The 
Company  is  the  majority  partner  and  operator  of  the  Los  Helados  Project,  which  is  subject  to  a  Joint  Exploration 
Agreement with its partner, Nippon Caserones Resources Co. Ltd. (“NCR”).  NCR became the Company’s partner on 
April 1, 2020 when Pan Pacific Copper (“PPC”) transferred its interest in Los Helados to NCR.  NCR is a subsidiary of 
JX Nippon Mining and Metals Corporation, a Tokyo-based mining and smelting company that also owns the Caserones 
Mine, located approximately 15km from Los Helados. 

The Company’s strategy is to create value for its shareholders through prudent management and deployment of its 
capital resources, by expanding and increasing the quality of its mineral resources through successful exploration and 
acquisitions and by advancing the engineering and other studies that are required to prepare its projects for eventual 
development by the Company and its partners or by third parties.  The overall objective is to position the Company 
as a top tier mineral exploration-development investment opportunity. 

The Company has a strong management team and board with extensive experience in the resource sector, particularly 
in Chile and Argentina, where the Company’s current exploration projects are located. The board and management 
team  have  an  appropriate  mix  of  geological,  engineering,  financial,  and  business  skills  to  advance  the  Company’s 
projects and to generate value for its shareholders.  

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Company’s most recent Mineral Resource estimate for the Los Helados Project, with an effective date of April 26, 
2019, is summarized in the following table: 

Los Helados Mineral Resource (0.33% CuEq Cutoff) 

Tonnage 

Resource Grade 

Contained Metal 

Class 

(million 
tonnes) 

Indicated 

2,099 

Inferred 

827 

Cu  
(%) 

0.38 

0.32 

Au  
(g/t) 

Ag  
(g/t) 

CuEq 
(%) 

0.15 

0.10 

1.37 

1.32 

0.48 

0.39 

Cu 
(billion 
lbs) 

17.6 

5.8 

Au  
(million 
oz) 

10.1 

2.7 

Ag  
(million 
oz) 

92.5 

35.1 

The key assumptions, parameters, and methods used to estimate the mineral resources are contained in the 43-101 
technical report for the project, entitled “Technical Report on the Los Helados Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposit, Chile”, 
dated August 6, 2019 and authored by F. Devine, P.Geo., G. Zandonai, RMCMC, and G. Di Prisco, P.Geo.  This report 
is available on the Company’s website at www.ngexminerals.com or under the Company’s profile at www.sedar.com. 

The Company’s common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “NGEX”. 

2021 OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS AND OUTLOOK 

Focus Shifts Back on Los Helados Amid Strong Outlook for Copper 

In September 2021, the Company received and released assay results from previously unsampled core that was drilled 
at Los Helados in 2015. The core was collected from two geotechnical holes that were drilled into the high-grade core 
of the deposit, and the assay results are highlighted by the following: 

 

 

LHDHG02A, intersected 1,101m @ 0.70% copper equivalent (“CuEq”) (0.52% Cu, 0.28 g/t Au, 1.7 g/t Ag), 
including a high-grade interval of 224m @ 1.04% CuEq (0.79% Cu, 0.37 g/t Au, 2.7 g/t Ag); and 

LHDHG03, which returned 1,134m @ 0.79% CuEq (0.59% Cu, 0.30 g/t Au, 1.9 g/t Ag), including a high-grade 
interval of 440m @ 1.03% CuEq (0.82% Cu, 0.31 g/t Au, 2.9 g/t Ag). 

These results confirm the existence of high-grades over considerable lengths at Los Helados, serve as a reminder of 
the global significance of Los Helados as one of the  largest copper discoveries in the past decade, and validate the 
Company’s improved understanding of the deposit’s geology, which was reinterpreted in 2020 as a result of a core 
relogging program.  

Following up on these assay results, the Company began preparations in late 2021 for a drill program at the project 
to advance Los Helados amid a backdrop of strong copper market fundamentals. Drilling started in late January, 2022 
and approximately 5,800 metres have been completed as of the date of this MD&A.  Drilling is expected to continue 
until the onset of winter weather in May. The current drill program includes a mix of infill holes, designed to convert 
material within in the high-grade core of the Los Helados deposit from the Indicated category to Measured, and holes 
designed to test areas where geological and geophysical modelling suggests potential for extensions of the high-grade 
breccia zone. Initial assay results are still pending and will be released once received and analyzed by the Company. 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The data generated from the current drill program at Los Helados, together with the revised geological model, will 
form the basis for a future update to the Mineral Resource estimate. In turn, an updated Mineral Resource will enable 
evaluation of alternate development scenarios for Los Helados, exploring optionality in scale of operations and mine 
plan strategies, which may illustrate alternate strategies  for realization  of value  on this asset. In addition,  the  drill 
program will provide samples for additional detailed metallurgical testwork, which will allow for optimization of process 
flowsheets and a better understanding of variability within the orebody. 

Drill Program Launched at Valle Ancho; Seeks to Complete Earn-In 

During the third quarter of 2021, the Company commenced its 2021/2022 field and drill program at the Valle Ancho 
project, located in the Province of Catamarca, Argentina. The field program, which concluded in March 2022, completed 
3,060 metres of diamond drilling in 8 holes.  

To date complete results have been received from the initial two holes completed at the Nordin gold target, and are 
highlighted by VADH001, returning 150m at 1.05 g/t Au from surface, and VADH002 intersecting 198m at 0.63 g/t Au 
from  surface,  including  70m  at  0.90  g/t  Au.  This  mineralization  occurs  completely  within  oxidized  rock  and  is 
characterized  by  even  grade  distribution  throughout  the  depth  of  each  hole.  Initial  assessment  and  interpretation 
suggest that the mineralization discovered in these two holes is consistent with the style of mineralization observed in 
the neighbouring Maricunga Gold Belt in Chile. 

The initial assay results are an encouraging first step and confirm the prospectivity of the exploration targets generated 
by the Company’s earlier reconnaissance work at Valle Ancho. Additional drill holes completed during this 2021/2022 
drill campaign include: 

 

Five holes testing the La Quebrada target, a porphyry copper-gold target 15km southeast of Nordin, where 
rock chip samples collected in 2019/2020 averaged 0.5 g/t Au and 0.2% Cu from oxided and leached rock, 
and samples collected from structurally controlled zones in the area returning values of up to 8.57 g/t Au and 
114 g/t Ag; and 

  One  hole  testing  the  Anomalia  4  target,  which  is  located  midway  between  Nordin  and  La  Quebrada  with 

strongly anomalous gold values ranging from 0.5 g/t to 7.07 g/t and silver values up to 580 g/t. 

Additional assay results from the recently completed drill campaign are pending and will be released once received 
and analyzed by the Company.  

The Company’s interest in the Valle Ancho project, comprised of the Valle Ancho and Interceptor properties, is held 
through an option agreement with the Province of Catamarca, whereby it may earn a 100% interest in Valle Ancho, 
by making US$8.0 million in total project expenditures by the end of 2022. As of the date of this MD&A, the Company 
anticipates making the remaining earn-in expenditures prior by the required deadline with additional expenses related, 
but not limited, to demobilization following the conclusion of the 2021/2022 field campaign, geochemical assay and 
analysis of the remaining core collected during the program, and ongoing technical consultation with respect to, and 
analysis of, the results of the Company’s first drill campaign at Valle Ancho, which may include developing preliminary 
geological models and interpretations. The Company may also proceed with planning future exploration programs at 
Valle Ancho, including identification and prioritization of potential drill targets. 

3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$25 Million Private Placement 

On November 1, 2021, the Company closed a non-brokered private placement, pursuant to which the Company sold 
an  aggregate  of  31,250,000  common  shares  at  a  price  of  $0.80  per  common  share,  generating  aggregate  gross 
proceeds of $25.0 million (the “Financing”). Share issuance costs related to the Financing totaled $0.7 million, and 
included professional fees, regulatory fees, and 5% finders’ fees payable in cash on approximately $13.3 million of the 
gross proceeds from the Financing.  

The common shares issued under the Financing were subject to a hold period, which expired on March 2, 2022. 

Approximately  $3.2  million  of  the  net  proceeds  was  used  shortly  after  closing  of  the  Financing  to  fully  repay  the 
amounts drawn against a US$3 million credit facility, and the remaining net proceeds from the Financing have been, 
and will continue to be, used towards furthering work programs in Chile and Argentina, as well as for general corporate 
and working capital purposes. 

Potential Impacts of COVID-19  

The Company’s current plans are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the ongoing 
COVID-19 pandemic. As the Company continues to monitor developments with respect to COVID-19, both globally 
and within its operating  jurisdictions, it may implement changes to its business  as may be deemed appropriate  to 
mitigate any potential impacts to its business and its employees, contractors, visitors, and stakeholders (collectively, 
“Stakeholders”). Such changes may include, but are not limited to, temporary closures of the Company’s project sites 
or  offices,  and  deviations  from  the  timing  and  nature  of  previous  operating  plans.  Moreover,  sustained  COVID-19 
outbreaks globally have resulted in operational and supply chain delays and disruption as a result of governmental 
regulation and preventative measures being implemented worldwide, including in Argentina and Chile. The Company 
could also be required to close, curtail or otherwise limit its operating activities as a result of the implementation of 
any such governmental regulation or preventative measures in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates, or as 
a result of sustained COVID-19 outbreaks at its project site or facilities. Any such closures or curtailments could have 
an adverse impact on the business of the Company.  

RESULTS FROM OPERATIONS 

Year Ended 

Net loss ($000’s) 

Loss per share, basic and diluted ($) 

Dec-21 

Dec-20 

Dec-191 

5,457 

0.04 

5,893 

0.05 

5,307 

0.04 

Total assets ($000’s) 

10,840 
        1 Amounts presented in the table relating to periods prior to July 17, 2019, the completion date of the Josemaria 
Arrangement, have been prepared and presented in accordance with the continuity of interest basis of accounting. 

25,733 

5,378 

NGEx Minerals is a junior exploration company and, as such, its net losses are largely driven by its exploration and 
project investigation activities and there is no expectation of generating operating profits until it identifies and develops 
a commercially viable mineral deposit.  

Key financial results for the last eight quarters are provided in the table below. 

4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 

Dec-21 

Sep-21 

Jun-21 

Mar-21 

Dec-20 

Sep-20 

Jun-20 

Mar-20 

Exploration costs ($000's) 

3,518 

1,390 

Operating loss ($000’s) 

4,188 

1,863 

Net loss ($000’s) 

2,390 

1,491 

356 

810 

784 

402 

563 

390 

484 

1,867 

833 

1,302 

1,684 

829 

2,272 

793 

1,302 

1,678 

843 

2,070 

Net loss per share, basic and 
diluted ($) 

0.01 

0.01 

0.01 

0.01 

0.01 

0.01 

0.01 

0.02 

Due to the geographic location of the Company’s mineral properties, the Company’s business activities generally 
fluctuate with the seasons, through increased exploration activities during the summer months in South America. 
As a result, a general recurring trend is the increase in exploration expenditures, and therefore net losses, for the 
fourth quarter and first quarter of a fiscal year, relative to the second and third quarters. In addition, other relevant 
factors, such as the financial position of the Company, other corporate initiatives, as well as the type and scope 
of  planned  exploration/project  work,  could  affect  the  level  of  exploration  activities  and  net  loss  in  a  particular 
period.  

NGEx  Minerals  incurred  a  net  loss  of  $5.5  million  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2021  (2020:  $5.9  million), 
including an operating loss of $7.7 million (2020: $6.1 million). Exploration and project investigation costs are the 
most significant expenditure category of the Company and for the year ended December 31, 2021 accounted for 
approximately 74% of the operating loss (2020: 54%).  This is reflective of the Company’s accounting policy to 
expense  its  exploration  costs  through  the  consolidated  statement  of  comprehensive  loss,  except  for  mineral 
property option payments and mineral property acquisition costs, which are capitalized.   

Exploration and project investigation costs for the year ended December 31, 2021 were $5.7 million (2020: $3.3 
million). The increase for the year ended December 31, 2021 is primarily due to the Company’s commencement 
of  its  2021/2022  field  and  drill  program  at  Valle  Ancho  and  the  additional  work  undertaken  in  late  2021  in 
preparation  for  the  2021/2022  drill  campaign  at  Los  Helados,  as  discussed  in  the  “2021  Operating  Highlights” 
section above. By comparison, during the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company only undertook an initial 
reconnaissance program Valle Ancho between January and March 2020, and then did not pursue any significant 
exploration work following the cessation of field activity in April 2020 as a result of COVID-19 and related travel 
restrictions and safety concerns.  

Excluding  share-based  compensation, administration  costs for the  year ended December 31,  2021 totaled  $1.5 
million (2020: $1.4 million). Share-based compensation, a non-cash cost, reflects the amortization of the estimated 
fair value of options over their vesting period and is based to a large degree on the Company’s share price and its 
volatility. The actual future value to the option holders may differ materially from these estimates as it depends 
on the trading price of the Company’s shares if and when the options are exercised. In addition, as the granting 
of options and their vesting is at the discretion of the Board, the related expense is unlikely to be uniform across 
quarters or financial years. Administration costs, exclusive of share-based compensation costs, for the year ended 
December  31,  2021  were  higher  than  2020  due  primarily  to  an  increase  in  compensation  costs  resulting  from 
severance payments and the general easing of COVID-19 restrictions, which led to increased travel, promotional 
and general office support costs.  These increases were partially offset by lower professional fees, as the Company 
incurred higher legal fees in 2020 in connection with its then project generation initiatives. 

For the year ended December 31, 2021 the Company recognized financing costs of $136,436 (2020: $26,238). 
The increase is the result of the Company’s use of an unsecured US$3.0 million credit facility dated February 19, 
2021 (the “2021 Facility”) from Zebra Holdings and Investments S.à.r.l (“Zebra”) and Lorito Holdings S.à.r.l. (“Lorito”) 
to provide financial flexibility to fund ongoing exploration and for general corporate purposes up until the closing of 
the Financing in November 2021. 

5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Also, the Company  recognized net monetary loss of $54,923 during the year ended  December 31, 2021  (2020: 
$6,022), in relation to the application of hyperinflationary accounting for the Company’s Argentine subsidiaries.  
The monetary loss recognized is the result of changes in the Argentine price indices and changes to the Company’s 
net monetary position during the year. Further discussion regarding the application of hyperinflationary accounting 
has been provided in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. 

From  time  to  time,  the  Company  acquires  and  transfers  marketable  securities  as  a  mechanism  to  facilitate 
intragroup funding transfers between its Canadian parent and its Argentine operating subsidiaries. During the year 
ended  December  31,  2021,  the  Company  recognized  a  gain  of  $2,477,478  (2020:  $270,198)  on  the  use  of 
marketable securities for this purpose, which represents the net benefit of having used this funding mechanism 
over  traditional  methods.  The  increase  in  the  gain  is  the  result  of  more  funding  provided  to  its  Argentine 
subsidiaries during the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to 2020, and an increase in the average spread 
that the Company is able to achieve through this funding mechanism. 

No  tax  recovery  is  recognized  as  a  result  of  the  nature  of  the  Company’s  activities  and  the  lack  of  reasonably 
expected taxable profits in the near term.  

In  other comprehensive  income,  the Company reported  foreign  currency translation  losses of $686,032  for the 
year ended December 31, 2021 (2020: gain of $62,413) on translation of subsidiary company accounts from their 
functional  currency  to  the  Canadian  dollar  presentation  currency.  For  the  year  ended  December  31,  2021,  the 
foreign currency translation loss is primarily the result of fluctuations of the Canadian dollar relative to the Chilean 
peso over the year. In addition, for the year ended December 31, 2021, the impacts of hyperinflation amounted 
to a gain of $56,277 (2020: loss of $179,426) and consist of adjustments recognized on the continuing inflation 
of  opening  non-monetary  balances  during  the  year  and  the  ongoing  translation  of  the  Company’s  Argentine 
subsidiary into the Canadian dollar presentation currency. 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES  

As at December 31, 2021, the Company had cash of $21.0 million and net working capital of $20.0 million, compared 
to cash of $0.9 million and net working capital of $0.5 million as at December 31, 2020. The Company’s cash and net 
working capital balance increased during the year ended December 31, 2021 due to the net proceeds generated by 
the Financing, which have been partially offset by funds used in operations, including mineral property and surface 
access rights payments, and for general corporate purposes.  

The Company anticipates that it will deploy the majority of its treasury to fund ongoing work programs at Los Helados 
in Chile and Valle Ancho in Argentina, to progress the Company’s business development efforts, as warranted, and 
also to support general corporate and working capital purposes. 

2021 Facility  

The 2021 Facility was extended to the Company by Zebra and Lorito, companies controlled by a trust settled by the 
late Adolf H. Lundin. Zebra and Lorito report their respective security holdings in the Company as joint actors, as the 
term is defined by Canadian securities regulations, and are related parties of the Company by virtue of their combined 
shareholding therein in excess of 20%.  

As consideration for the 2021 Facility, Zebra and Lorito received 40,000 common shares upon execution thereof (the 
“Commitment  Shares”)  and  were  entitled  to  receive  an  additional  600  common  shares  each  month,  for  every 
US$50,000 in principal outstanding, prorated accordingly for the number of days outstanding.  

6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company drew a total of US$2,550,000 against the 2021 Facility, and 
the amount was fully repaid in November 2021 following the completion of the Financing. As at December 31, 2021, 
no amount remained drawn or outstanding against the 2021 Facility, and it matured on February 19, 2022 with no 
interest paid in cash during its term. 

All  common  shares  issued  in  conjunction  with  the  2021  Facility  were  subject  to  a  four-month  hold  period  under 
applicable securities laws. 

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 

Under the normal course of operations, the Company may undertake transactions or hold balances with related parties. 
Other  than  those  related  party  transactions  identified  elsewhere  in  this  MD&A,  the  Company  also  engages  with 
Josemaria  and  Filo  Mining  Corp.  (“Filo  Mining”),  related  parties  by  way  of  directors,  officers  and  shareholders  in 
common, and MOAR Consulting Inc. (“MOAR”), an exploration consulting firm, of which a director of the Company is 
the president. 

Related party services 

The Company has a cost sharing arrangement with Josemaria and Filo Mining. Under the terms of this arrangement, 
the  Company  provides  management,  technical,  administrative  and/or  financial  services  (collectively,  “Management 
Services”) to Josemaria and Filo Mining, and vice versa. In addition, the Company engages MOAR to provide exploration 
consultation. These transactions were incurred in the normal course of operations, and are summarized as follows: 

Management Services to Josemaria 
Management Services to Filo Mining 
Management Services from Josemaria 
Management Services from Filo Mining 
Exploration Consultation from MOAR 

Related party balances 

Year ended 
December 31, 
2020 
139,906 
500,101 
(150,750) 
(433,148) 
(106,875) 

2021 
83,524 
591,415 
(42,058) 
(549,787) 
(57,000) 

The amounts due from (to) related parties, and the components of the consolidated statement of financial position in 
which they are included, are as follows: 

Receivables and other assets 

Receivables and other assets 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 

Related Party 

December 31, 
 2021 

December 31, 
 2020 

Josemaria 

Filo Mining 

Josemaria 

Filo Mining 

MOAR 

27,996 

24,343 

(1,667) 

(15,113) 

- 

- 

5,850 

- 

(11,752) 

(14,125) 

7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Key management compensation 

The Company’s key management personnel have the authority and responsibility for overseeing, planning, directing 
and controlling its activities and consist of the Board of Directors and members of the executive management team.  
Total compensation expense for key management personnel, and the composition thereof, is as follows: 

Salaries and other payments 
Short-term employee benefits 
Directors fees 
Stock-based compensation 
Severance 

Year ended 
December 31, 
2020 

2021 

474,000 
14,000 
82,000 
458,478 
75,000 
  1,103,478 

435,333 
15,440 
82,000 
514,877 
- 
1,047,650 

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

The Company’s significant account policies are described in Note 3 the consolidated financial statements for the 
year ended December 31, 2021, as filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. 

New Accounting Pronouncements 

The IASB and/or the IFRS Interpretations Committee have issued new standards, amendments, or interpretations 
to existing standards, which were not yet in effect nor applied by the Company as at December 31, 2021, such 
as: 

IAS 16, Property, plant and equipment  

IAS 16 has been amended to provide clarity with respect to the treatment of net proceeds generated from selling 
any  items  produced  while  bringing  an  item  of  property,  plant  and  equipment  to  the  location  and  condition 
necessary for it to  be capable of operating in the manner intended by the entity. Specifically, the amendments 
prohibit entities from deducting amounts resulting from the selling of items produced during this phase from the 
cost of property, plant and equipment. Instead, an entity shall recognize such sales proceeds and related costs in 
profit or loss. 

The amendments to IAS 16 are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2022, and 
are not expected to have an impact on the Company’s financial results for the year ending December 31, 2022. 

There are no other IFRS standards or International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee interpretations 
that are not yet effective or early adopted that are expected to have any impact on the Company. 

8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES 

The  preparation  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements  in  accordance  with  IFRS,  such  as  the  underlying 
consolidated  financial  statements  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2021,  requires  management  to  make 
estimates, assumptions and judgements that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and expenditures. 
These estimates, assumptions and judgements are based on management’s best knowledge of the relevant facts 
and circumstances taking into account previous experience. Actual results could differ and such differences could 
be material. Estimates, assumptions and judgements are reviewed on an ongoing basis and are based on historical 
experience  and  other  facts  and  circumstances.  Revisions  to  estimates,  assumptions  and  judgements,  and  the 
resulting effects on the carrying amounts of the Company’s assets and liabilities, are accounted for prospectively. 
Information  about  estimates,  assumptions,  judgements  and  other  sources  of  estimation  uncertainty  as  at 
December 31, 2021 that have a risk of resulting in a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and 
liabilities within the next year are provided below: 

Valuation of mineral properties – The Company carries the acquisition costs of its mineral properties at cost 
less any provision for impairment. At each reporting date, the Company reviews its mineral properties for indicators 
of  impairment,  which  requires  the  Company  to  exercise  key  judgements,  including  but  not  limited  to,  the 
Company’s  right  to  explore  the  mineral  property,  whether  the  Company  has  further  plans  or  budgets  for 
substantive  expenditures  for  the  ongoing  exploration  and  evaluation  of  the  mineral  property,  the  impact  of 
exploration and evaluation results to date with respect to the mineral property, and the likelihood that the carrying 
value of the mineral property will be recovered in the future through development or sale of the asset. If indicators 
of  impairment  are  identified,  the  Company  would  further  review  the  carrying  values  of  the  applicable  mineral 
properties to determine if their carrying values may exceed their fair value, which also requires the Company to 
make significant judgments and estimates. The judgments and estimates mentioned above are subject to various 
risks and uncertainties, which may ultimately have an effect on the expected recoverability of the carrying values 
of the mineral properties. 

The Company has determined that no indicators of impairment exist for its mineral properties as of December 31, 
2021. 

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 

The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash, receivables and other assets, trade payables and accrued 
liabilities, amounts owing pursuant to the 2021 Facility, if any, and the amounts due to its exploration partner. 
Other  than  for  the  amounts  due  to  its  exploration  partner,  the  carrying  values  of  the  Company’s  financial 
instruments  are  considered  to  be  reasonable  approximations  of  fair  value  due  to  their  short-term  nature.  For 
amounts due to its exploration partner, the Company revalues the liability from time to time based on revisions to 
the timing and amounts of expected future settlement, which the Company believes is a reasonable approximation 
of fair value. Between revaluations, the liability is accreted.  

As at December 31, 2021 the Company’s financial instruments are exposed to the following financial risks, including 
credit, liquidity and currency risks: 

(i)  Credit risks associated with cash is mitigated by the Company’s practice of holding the majority of its 
cash  with  a  large  Canadian  financial  institution  that  has  been  accorded  a  strong  investment  grade 
rating by a primary rating agency.  

(ii)  Liquidity  risks  associated  with  the  inability  to  meet  obligations  as  they  become  due  is  minimized 
through the management of its capital structure and by maintaining good relationships with significant 
shareholders and creditors, such as Zebra and Lorito. The Company also closely monitors and reviews 
its costs to date and actual cash flows on a monthly basis.  

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
The maturities of the Company’s financial liabilities as at December 31, 2021 are as follows: 

Total 

Less than  
1 year 

1-5 years 

More than 
5 years 

Accounts payable and  
    accrued liabilities 
Due to exploration partner 

Total 

1,955,817 
4,324,641 

1,955,817 
- 

6,280,458 

1,955,817 

- 
- 

- 

- 
4,324,641 

4,324,641 

In accordance with the terms of a Joint Exploration Agreement between the Company and the partner, 
NCR, the Company is required to fund NCR’s share of exploration expenditures related to the La Rioja 
properties (the “Obligation”). The undiscounted value of the Obligation remained US$3.4 million as at 
December 31, 2021, and has no defined timeline for settlement. The Obligation has been discounted 
at  an  annual  effective  rate  of  8%,  and  recorded  at  its  present  value  having  the  Canadian  dollar 
equivalent of $393,719 at December 31, 2021. The figure provided in the preceding table represents 
the Canadian dollar equivalent of the liability on an undiscounted basis. 

(iii)  Foreign  currency risk can arise when the Company or its subsidiaries transact or have net financial 
assets  or  liabilities  which  are  denominated  in  currencies  other  than  their  respective  functional 
currencies. 

At December 31, 2021, the Company’s largest foreign currency risk exposure existed at the level of 
its Canadian headquarters, where the Company held a net financial asset position denominated in US 
dollars having a Canadian dollar equivalent of approximately $341,000. A 10% change in the foreign 
exchange rate between the US dollar, and the Canadian dollar, NGEx Minerals’ functional currency, 
would give rise to increases/decreases of approximately $34,000 in financial position/comprehensive 
loss. 

OUTSTANDING SHARE DATA 

As at April 13, 2021, the Company had 156,688,844 common shares outstanding and 10,523,334 share options 
outstanding under its share-based incentive plan.  

RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES 

The  operations  of  the  Company  are  speculative  due  to  the  high-risk  nature  of  its  business,  which  includes  the 
acquisition,  financing,  exploration,  development  and  operation  of  mineral  and  mining  properties.    There  are  a 
number of factors that could negatively affect the Company’s business and the value of its common shares, and 
these risk factors could materially affect the Company’s future operations and financial position and could cause 
actual events to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements relating to the Company.  

Significant  risk  factors  have  been  identified  by  the  Company  and  are  listed  below.  The  following  information 
pertains to the outlook and conditions currently known to the Company that could have a material impact on the 
financial condition of the Company. Other factors may arise that are not currently foreseen by management of the 
Company that may present additional risks in the future. Current and prospective security holders of the Company 
should carefully consider these risk factors, as they could materially affect the Company’s future operations and 
could cause actual events to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements relating to the 
Company.  

10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exploration and Development Risk  

Mining exploration, development and operations generally involve a high degree of risk that cannot be 
eliminated,  and  which  can  adversely  impact  the  Company’s  success  and  financial  performance. 
Exploration for and development of mineral deposits involves a high degree of risk and few properties 
that are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines. 

Discovery  of mineral deposits is dependent  upon  a number of factors,  not the  least  of which are the 
technical skills of the exploration personnel involved and the capital required for the programs. The cost 
of conducting programs may be substantial and the likelihood of success is difficult to assess. There is 
no assurance that the Company’s mineral exploration activities will result in any discoveries of new bodies 
of commercial ore. There is also no assurance that even if commercial quantities of ore are discovered 
that  a  new  ore  body  would  be  developed  and  brought  into  commercial  production.  The  commercial 
viability of a mineral deposit once discovered is dependent upon a number of factors, some of which are 
discussed separately in the subsequent sections, and include the particular attributes of the deposit (such 
as size, grade, metallurgy and proximity to infrastructure and labour), the interpretation of geological 
data obtained from drilling and sampling; feasibility studies; the cost of water and power; anticipated 
climatic conditions; cyclical metal prices; fluctuations in inflation and currency exchange rates; higher 
input  commodity  and  labour  costs;  commodity  price  fluctuations;  government  regulations,  including 
regulations relating to prices, taxes, royalties, land tenure and use, allowable production, importing and 
exporting of minerals, and environmental protection. Most of the above factors are beyond the control 
of the Company.  Development projects will also be subject to the successful completion of final feasibility 
studies,  issuance  of  necessary  permits  and  other  governmental  approvals  and  receipt  of  adequate 
financing, as major expenses are typically required to locate and establish Mineral Reserves, to develop 
metallurgical processes and to construct mining and processing facilities at a particular site. The exact 
effect of these factors cannot be accurately predicted, but the combination of any of these factors may 
adversely affect the Company’s business.  

The  Company’s  operations  are  subject  to  all  of  the  hazards  and  risks  normally  encountered  in  the 
exploration and development of copper, gold, and silver projects and properties, including unusual and 
unexpected geologic formations, seismic activity, rock slides, ground instabilities or failures, mechanical 
failures, flooding and other conditions involved in the drilling and removal of material, any of which could 
result in damage to, or destruction of, facilities, damage to life or property, environmental damage and 
possible legal liability.  

As appropriate, the Company may seek to mitigate its exploration risk by diversifying its portfolio, or 
through the establishment of joint ventures and option agreements with third parties. 

Mineral Resource Estimates 

The Company’s reported Mineral Resources are estimations only. No assurance can be given that the 
estimated  Mineral  Resources  will  be  recovered.  By  their  nature,  Mineral  Resource  estimations  are 
imprecise  and  depend,  to  a  certain  extent,  upon  statistical  inferences,  which  may  ultimately  prove 
unreliable because, among other factors, they are based on limited sampling, and, consequently, are 
uncertain because the  samples may not be representative. Mineral Resource estimations may require 
revision (either up or down). There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating Mineral Resources, 
including many factors beyond the Company’s control. Such estimation is a subjective process, and the 
accuracy of any Mineral Resource estimate is a function of the quantity and quality of available data and 
of the assumptions made and judgments used in engineering and geological interpretation. There can 
be no assurance that recoveries in small scale laboratory tests  will  be duplicated in larger scale tests 
under on-site conditions. In particular, factors that may affect Mineral Resource estimates include:   

11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

changes in interpretations of mineralization geometry and continuity of mineralization zones;  
input parameters used to constrain the block cave underground mining shapes that constrain 
the Mineral Resources ;  

  metallurgical and mining recoveries;  
  operating and capital cost assumptions;  
  metal price and exchange rate assumptions;  
 

confidence in modifying factors, including assumptions that surface rights to allow infrastructure 
to be constructed will be forthcoming;  

  delays  or  other  issues  in  reaching  agreements  with  local  or  regulatory  authorities  and 

stakeholders;  
changes  in  land  tenure  requirements  or  permitting  requirements  from  those  discussed  in  the 
report; and 
changes in the environmental regulations or laws governing the property.  

 

 

Changes in key assumptions and parameters could result in a restatement of Mineral Resource estimates. 
Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability and there 
is no assurance that they will ever be mined or processed profitably. Due to the uncertainty which may 
attach to Mineral Resources, there is no assurance that all or any part of Measured or Indicated Mineral 
Resources will ever be converted into Mineral Reserves. Any material reductions in estimates of Mineral 
Resources  could  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  the  Company’s  results  of  operations  and  financial 
condition. 

Title Risk 

The  Company  has  investigated  its  right  to  explore  and  exploit  its  properties  and,  to  the  best  of  its 
knowledge, those rights are in good standing. The results of the Company’s investigations should not be 
construed as a guarantee of title. Other parties may dispute the title to a property, or the property may 
be subject to prior unregistered agreements or liens and transfers or land claims by aboriginal, native, 
or  indigenous  peoples.  The  title  may  be  affected  by  undetected  encumbrances  or  defects  or 
governmental actions. The Company has not conducted surveys of all of its properties, and the precise 
area and location of claims or the properties may be challenged and no assurances can be given that 
there are no title defects affecting such properties. The rules governing mining concessions in Chile and 
Argentina  are  complex  and any  failure by the  Company to meet requirements  would have  a material 
adverse effect on the Company. Any defects in the title to the Company’s properties could have a material 
and adverse effect on the Company. 

No assurance can be given that applicable governments will not revoke or significantly alter the conditions 
of  the  applicable  exploration  and  mining  authorizations  nor  that  such  exploration  and  mining 
authorizations will not be challenged or impugned by third parties. Although the Company has not had 
any problem renewing its licenses in the past there is no guarantee that it will always be able to do so. 
Inability to renew a license could result in the loss of any project located within that license. 

The Company is earning an interest in the Valle Ancho properties through an option agreement requiring 
the Company to make certain expenditures with respect to the properties within a specific time period. 
If  the  Company  does  not  satisfactorily  complete  these  option  conditions  in  the  period  laid  out  in  the 
option agreement, the Company’s title to the related properties will not vest and the Company would 
forego its interest in the Valle Ancho properties. 

Surface Access 

The Company has surface access rights but does not own any surface rights at the Los Helados Project. 
The  owners  of  the  surface  rights  are  in  agreement  with  the  Company’s  subsidiaries  in  conducting 
activities on their ground.  

12 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
From time to time, a land possessor may dispute the Company’s surface access rights and, as a result, 
the Company may be barred from its legal temporary occupation rights. Surface access issues have the 
potential to result in the delay of planned exploration programs, and these delays may be significant. 
Such delays may have a material adverse effect on the Company.  

The Company may require additional surface rights and property interests to further develop or exploit 
the resources on its properties, which will require negotiations with private landowners for the additional 
ownership and/or surface rights in order for the Company to fully operate. Surface rights may also be 
regulated and restricted by applicable law. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain 
the required surface rights or negotiate successfully with private landowners to allow it to develop its 
properties and establish commercial mining operations on a timely basis. To the extent additional surface 
rights  are  available,  they  may  only  be  acquired  at  significantly  increased  prices,  potentially  adversely 
impacting financial performance of the Company.  

Environmental and Socio-Political Risks 

The Company seeks to operate within environmental protection standards that meet or exceed existing 
requirements  in  the  countries  in  which  the  Company  conducts  activities.  The  Company  also  aims  to 
conduct its activities in accordance with high corporate social responsibility principles. Present or future 
laws  and  regulations,  however,  may  affect  the  Company’s  operations.  Environmental  legislation  is 
evolving in a manner that requires stricter standards and enforcement, increased fines and penalties for 
non-compliance,  more  stringent  environmental  assessments  of  proposed  projects  and  a  heightened 
degree  of  responsibility  for  companies  and  their  officers,  directors  and  employees.  The  Company  is 
currently engaged in exploration with limited environmental impact.  Future environmental costs may 
increase  due  to  changing  requirements  or  costs  associated  with  exploration  and  the  developing, 
operating  and  closing  of  mines.  The  Company  is  subject  to  environmental  regulation  in  the  various 
jurisdictions  in  which  it  operates.  Failure  to  comply  with  these  laws,  regulations  and  permitting 
requirements  may  result  in  enforcement  actions,  including  orders  issued  by  regulatory  or  judicial 
authorities causing operations to cease or be curtailed, and may include corrective measures requiring 
capital expenditures, installation of additional equipment, or remedial actions. Parties engaged in mining 
operations  or  in  the  exploration  or  development  of  mineral  properties  may  also  be  required  to 
compensate  those  suffering  loss  or  damage  by  reason  of  the  mining  activities  and  may  have  civil  or 
criminal  fines  or  penalties  imposed  for  violations  of  applicable  laws  or  regulations.  Furthermore, 
environmental  hazards  may  exist  on  the  properties  on  which  the  Company  holds  interests  which  are 
unknown to the Company  at present and which  have been caused by previous  or existing owners or 
operators of the properties. 

Programs  may  also  be  delayed  or  prohibited  in  some  areas  due  to  technical  factors,  new  legislative 
constraints, social opposition or local government capacity or willingness to issue permits to explore in a 
timely manner. 

In  parts  of  Argentina,  there  is  environmental  opposition  to  both  mineral  exploration  and  mining. 
Accordingly, there may be a certain degree of anti-mining sentiment that could potentially affect the risk 
of successfully exploring and developing the Company’s assets in those provinces. 

In Chile, a newly elected government is discussing changes to its constitution which may include changes 
to  the  current  environmental  and  socio-political  landscape  in  that  country.  Additionally,  the  Chilean 
Congress is also considering legislation designed to protect the country’s glaciers. No changes have yet 
been  made  to  the  constitution  and  any  proposed  legislation  has  not  yet  been  approved;  however, 
depending on its final language, these changes could affect the Company’s ability to develop the Los 
Helados project. See below for further discussion. 

13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign Operations Risk 

The Company conducts exploration activities in foreign countries, including Argentina and Chile. Each of 
these countries expose the Company to risks that may not otherwise be experienced if all operations 
were located in Canada. The risks vary from country to country and can include, but are not limited to, 
civil  unrest  or  war,  terrorism,  illegal  mining,  changing  political  conditions,  fluctuations  in  currency 
exchange rates, expropriation or nationalization without adequate compensation, changes to royalty and 
tax regimes, high rates of inflation, labour unrest and difficulty in understanding and complying with the 
regulatory and legal framework respecting ownership and maintenance of mineral properties, as well as 
the  revocation  or  suspension  of  previously  issued  mining  permits.  Changes  in  mining  or  investment 
policies or shifts in political attitudes may also adversely affect Company’s existing assets and operations. 
Real and perceived political risk may also affect Company’s ability to finance exploration programs and 
attract joint venture or option partners, and future mine development opportunities. Chile is typically 
viewed as a favourable mining jurisdiction; however, certain Canadian issuers have recently experienced 
regulatory  action  with  regards  to  Chilean  operations,  specifically  with  respect  to  increased  permitting 
timelines. 

Numerous  countries  have  introduced  changes  to  mining  regimes  that  reflect  increased  government 
control or participation in the mining sector, including, but not limited to, changes of law affecting foreign 
ownership,  mandatory  government  participation,  taxation  and  royalties,  exploration  licensing,  export 
duties, and repatriation of income or return of capital. There can be no assurance that industries, which 
are deemed of national or strategic importance in countries in which the Company has assets, including 
mineral  exploration,  will  not  be  nationalized.  There  is  a  risk  that  further  government  limitations, 
restrictions or requirements, not presently foreseen, will be implemented. Changes in policy that alter 
laws regulating the mining industry could have a material adverse effect on the Company. There can be 
no  assurance  that  the  Company’s  assets  in  these  countries  will  not  be  subject  to  nationalization, 
requisition or confiscation, whether legitimate or not, by an authority or body. 

In addition, in the event of a dispute arising from foreign operations, the Company may be subject to 
the exclusive jurisdiction of foreign courts or may not be successful in subjecting foreign persons to the 
jurisdiction  of courts in Canada. The  Company also  may be hindered or prevented from enforcing its 
rights with respect to a governmental instrumentality because of the doctrine of sovereign immunity. It 
is not possible for the Company to accurately predict such developments or changes in laws or policy or 
to what extent any such developments or changes may have a material adverse effect on the Company. 

Non-compliance with applicable laws, regulations and permitting requirements (including allegations of 
such)  may  result  in  enforcement  actions,  including  orders  issued  by  regulatory  or  judicial  authorities 
causing operations to cease or be curtailed or causing the withdrawal of permits or mining licenses, and 
the imposition of corrective measures requiring material capital expenditure or remedial action resulting 
in materially increased cost of compliance, reputational damage and potentially impaired ability to secure 
future  approvals  and  permits.  The  Company  may  be  required  to  compensate  third  parties  for  loss  or 
damage and may  have  civil or  criminal  fines or penalties imposed  for violations  of applicable  laws or 
regulations. 

Economic and Political Instability in Argentina 

Some of the Company’s mineral properties, such as the Valle Ancho project, are located in Argentina. 
There are risks relating to an uncertain or unpredictable political and economic environment in Argentina, 
especially as there is social opposition to mining operations in certain parts of the country. During an 
economic  crisis  in  2001  to  2003  and  again  in  2014  and  2020,  Argentina  defaulted  on  foreign  debt 
repayments  and  on  the  repayment  on  a  number  of  official  loans  to  multinational  organizations.  In 
addition,  the  government  has  renegotiated  or  defaulted  on  contractual  arrangements.  The  current 
government, which took office in December 2019, has reinstated currency controls previously lifted by 

14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
the opposition government, which, among other impacts, restricts the ability of companies and its citizens 
to obtain United States dollars, in each case requiring Central Bank approval (resulting in, at times, a 
limitation  on  the  ability  of  multinational  companies  to  distribute  dividends  abroad  in  United  States 
dollars).  

While the political environment in Argentina continues to develop, and the status of currency controls 
and restrictions remains fluid, past actions indicate that the Argentinean government may from time to 
time alter or impose additional requirements or policies that may adversely affect the Company’s activities 
in Argentina, or in its ability to attract joint venture partners or obtain financing for its projects in the 
future.  In  addition,  economic  instability  in  Argentina  may  negatively  impact  the  timeliness  or 
recoverability of amounts collectible from the government of Argentina. 

The current government has also reversed corporate tax rate reductions previously introduced by the 
previous opposition government. 

Economic and Political Uncertainty in Chile 

Since October 2019, Chile has been experiencing widescale public demonstrations demanding, among 
other things, constitutional and legal reforms, including demands for social program benefit increases 
and public funding for services that are currently private. In 2020, Chile voted in favor of drafting a new 
Constitution  and  in  2021  elected  the  constituent  assembly  tasked  with  preparing  a  new  draft  for 
consideration by the voters in the future. In December 2021, Gabriel Boric was elected President on a 
platform that committed to implement significant social, economic, and political changes. Simultaneously, 
the government has been considering tax and royalty reforms and has introduced or proposed a number 
of changes that affect or could affect businesses, including but not limited to a new royalty structure. 
Other changes could be considered or proposed in the future, including but not limited to increases to 
mining or income taxes or new royalties or changes to value added taxes. The constituent assembly may 
also propose a Constitution that could fundamentally alter key rights (such as water rights and mineral 
tenure)  or  introduce  new  ones  (like  environmental  personage)  that  could  affect  the  Company’s  Los 
Helados project and financial condition. 

Permitting 

The Company’s development and exploration activities are subject to permitting requirements in both 
Argentina and Chile. In particular, comprehensive environmental impact assessments will be necessary 
in Chile for any future development of Los Helados, and similarly in Argentina for Valle Ancho. Following 
the receipt of environmental approvals, additional permits, licences, authorizations, and certificates will 
be required to proceed to project construction, including, for example, mining water and fuel delivery, 
sewage water treatment, hazardous waste plans, drilling and closure plans. Failure to obtain required 
permits  and/or  to  maintain  compliance  with  permits  once  obtained  could  result  in  injunctions,  fines, 
suspension or revocation of permits and other penalties.  

There can be no assurance that the Company will obtain all such permits and/or achieve or maintain full 
compliance with such permits at all times. Activities required to obtain and/or achieve or maintain full 
compliance with such permits can be costly and involve extended timelines.  

Previously  issued  permits  may  be  suspended  or  revoked  for  a  variety  of  reasons,  including  through 
government  or  court  action.  Failure  to  obtain  and/or  comply  with  required  permits  can  have  serious 
consequences, including: damage to the Company’s reputation, stopping the Company from proceeding 
with the development of a project, negatively impacting further development of a mine, and increasing 
the costs of development and litigation or regulatory action against the Company, and may materially 
adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations or financial condition. 

15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Negative Operating Cash Flow 

The Company is an exploration stage company and has not generated cash flow from operations. The 
Company is devoting significant resources to the development and acquisition of its properties, however 
there can be  no assurance  that  it will generate positive cash flow from operations in the  future. The 
Company expects to continue to incur negative consolidated operating cash flow and losses until such 
time as it achieves commercial production at a particular project. The Company currently has negative 
cash flow from operating activities.  

Uncertainty of Funding and Dilution of Shareholders’ Interests in the Company 

The exploration and development of mineral properties requires a substantial amount of capital and may 
depend  on  the  Company’s  ability  to  obtain  financing  through  joint  ventures,  debt  financing,  equity 
financing or other means. General market conditions, volatile metals prices, a claim against the Company, 
a significant disruption to the Company’s business, or other factors may make it difficult to secure the 
necessary financing. There is no assurance that the  Company will be successful in obtaining required 
financing as and when needed on acceptable terms. Failure to obtain any necessary additional financing 
may  result  in  delaying  or  indefinite  postponement  of  exploration  or  development  or  even  a  loss  of 
property interest. If the Company needs to raise additional funds, such financing may substantially dilute 
the economic and voting rights of the Company’s shareholders and reduce the value of their investment. 
Since the Company’s capital needs depend on market conditions and other factors beyond its control, it 
cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of any such future offering of securities. Thus, 
holders of  common shares of the  Company bear the risk of any future offerings  reducing the market 
price of the common shares and diluting their shareholdings in the Company. 

Metal Price Risk 

The Company’s portfolio of properties and investments have exposure to predominantly copper, gold, 
and  silver.  Commodity  prices  fluctuate  widely  and  are  affected  by  numerous  factors  beyond  the 
Company’s  control,  such  as  the  sale  or  purchase  of  metals  by  various  central  banks  and  financial 
institutions, interest rates, exchange rates, inflation or deflation, fluctuation in the value of the United 
States  dollar  and  foreign  currencies,  global  and  regional  supply  and  demand,  and  the  political  and 
economic conditions of major metals-producing and metals-consuming countries throughout the world. 
The prices of these metals greatly affect the value of the Company, the price of the common shares of 
the Company and the potential value of its properties and investments. This, in turn, greatly affects its 
ability to form joint ventures, option agreements and the structure of any joint ventures formed. This is 
due, at least in part, to the underlying value of the Company’s assets at different metals prices. 

COVID-19 

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted and increased volatility of global financial markets and 
may continue to do so. The economic viability of the Company’s long-term business plan is impacted by 
its ability to obtain financing, and global economic conditions impact the general availability of financing 
through public and private debt and equity markets, as well as through other avenues. 

The  health  and  safety  of  the  Stakeholders  remain  the  Company’s  priority,  and  the  Company’s  camp 
facilities and offices have implemented travel restrictions, surveillance, monitoring and response plans to 
reduce  the  risk  of  COVID-19  exposure  and  outbreak,  including  health  screening  of  personnel  when 
appropriate.  

As the Company continues to monitor developments with respect to COVID-19, both globally and within 
its operating jurisdictions, it will remain adaptive and will implement any such changes to its COVID-19 
protocol, or its business in general, as may be deemed appropriate to mitigate any potential impacts to 

16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
its business and its Stakeholders. Such changes, may include, but are not limited to, reduced operations, 
temporary closures of the Company’s project site or offices, and deviations from the timing and nature 
of previous operating plans. Moreover, sustained COVID-19 outbreaks have resulted in operational and 
supply chain delays and disruption as a result of governmental regulation and preventative measures 
being  implemented  worldwide,  including  in  Argentina.  The  Company  could  also  be  required  to  close, 
curtail  or  otherwise  limit  its  operating  activities  as  a  result  of  the  implementation  of  any  such 
governmental regulation or preventative measures in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates, 
or  as  a  result  of  sustained  COVID-19  outbreaks  at  its  project  site  or  facilities.  Any  such  closures  or 
curtailments could have an adverse impact on the business of the Company.  

Non-Governmental Organization Intervention 

In recent years, certain communities of both indigenous peoples and others, as well as non-governmental 
organizations, have been vocal and negative with respect to mining activities. The Company’s relationship 
with the communities in which it operates is critical to ensure the future success of its existing operations 
and  the  construction  and  development  of  its  projects.  Community  groups  or  non-governmental 
organizations may create or inflame public unrest and anti-mining sentiment among the inhabitants in 
areas of mineral development. These communities and organizations have taken such actions as protests, 
road closures, work stoppages and initiating lawsuits for damages. Such organizations can be involved, 
with  financial  assistance  from  various  groups,  in  mobilizing  sufficient  local  anti-mining  sentiment  to 
prevent the issuance of required permits for the development of mineral projects of other companies. 
While the Company is committed to operating in a socially responsible manner, there is no guarantee 
that the Company’s efforts in this respect will mitigate this potential risk. Any actions by communities 
and non-governmental organizations may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s activities, 
financial position, cash flow and results of operations. 

Ability to Import Key Services and Suppliers 

The Company operates in Argentina and Chile and requires the importation and use of specialist services 
and equipment to successfully execute on planned work programs. The ability to import key services and 
supplies  into  Argentina  and  Chile  is  regulated  by  various  governmental  authorities  and  the  rules  and 
regulations governing the importation of key services and supplies are subject to change. The Company 
has no control over changes which may affect the ability to import required services and supplies. 

Dependence on Key Personnel 

The Company’s success will largely depend on the efforts and abilities of certain senior officers and key 
employees.  Certain  of  these  individuals  have  significant  experience  in  the  mining  industry  and,  in 
particular, the mining industry in South America. While the Company does not foresee any reason why 
such officers and key employees will not remain with the Company, if for any reason they do not, the 
Company could be adversely affected. In addition, certain of these individuals are also senior officers 
and key employees of Filo Mining or Josemaria and, pursuant to the terms of a shared services agreement 
between the Company, Filo Mining and Josemaria (the “Services Agreement”),  the employment  costs 
associated with these individuals are shared between the Company, Josemaria and Filo Mining on a pro-
rata basis. If such officers and key employees do not remain employed with Filo Mining and/or Josemaria 
for  the  purposes  of  the  cost-sharing  basis  under  the  Services  Agreement,  the  Company  could  be 
adversely affected. The Company has not purchased key man life insurance for any of these individuals. 

No Operating History 

Exploration  projects  have  no  operating  history  upon  which  to  base  estimates  of  future  cash  flows. 
Substantial expenditures are required to develop mineral projects. It is possible that actual costs and 
future economic returns may differ materially from the Company’s estimates. There can be no assurance 

17 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
that the underlying assumed levels of expenses for any project will prove to be accurate. Further, it is 
not unusual in the mining industry for new mining operations to experience unexpected problems during 
start-up, resulting in delays and requiring more capital than anticipated. There can be no assurance that 
the  Company’s  projects  will  move  beyond  the  exploration  stage  and  be  put  into  production,  achieve 
commercial production or that the Company will produce revenue, operate profitably or provide a return 
on investment in the future. Mineral exploration involves considerable financial and technical risk. There 
can be no assurance that the funds required for exploration and future development can be obtained on 
a timely basis. There can be no assurance that the Company will not suffer significant losses in the near 
future or that the Company will ever be profitable. 

Conflicts of Interest 

Some of the directors and employees/officers of the Company are also directors and employees/officers 
of other companies that are similarly engaged in the  business of acquiring, exploring and developing 
natural resource properties. In addition, certain individuals also serve as officers of Josemaria and/or Filo 
Mining and are subject to the Services Agreement. Such associations may give rise to conflicts of interest 
from time to time. In particular, one of the consequences will be that corporate opportunities presented 
to a director or employee/officer of the Company may be offered to another company or companies with 
which the director or employee/officer is associated and may not be presented or made available to the 
Company. The directors and employees/officers of the Company are required by law to act honestly and 
in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company, to disclose any interest that they may 
have in any project or opportunity of the Company, and to abstain from voting on such matter. Conflicts 
of interest that arise will be subject to and governed by the procedures prescribed by the Company’s 
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and the Canada Business Corporations Act. 

Trading Price for the Common Shares is Volatile 

The securities of publicly traded companies, particularly mineral exploration and development companies, 
can experience a high level of price and volume volatility and the value of the Company’s securities can 
be expected to fluctuate depending on various factors, not all of which are directly related to the success 
of the Company and its operating performance, underlying asset values or prospects. These include the 
risks described elsewhere in this MD&A. The trading price of the Company’s common shares has been 
and may continue to be subject to large fluctuations, which may result in losses to investors. The trading 
price of the Company’s common shares may increase or decrease in response to a number of events and 
factors, including:  

 
 

issuances of common shares or debt securities by the Company;  
the  Company’s  operating  performance  and  the  performance  of  competitors  and  other  similar 
companies;  
the addition or departure of key management and other personnel;  
the expiration of lock-up or other transfer restrictions on outstanding common shares;  

 
 
  significant acquisitions or business combinations, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital 

 

commitments by or involving the Company or its competitors; 
the  public’s  reaction  to  the  Company’s  press  releases,  other  public  announcements  and  the 
Company’s filings with the various securities regulatory authorities;  

  changes in recommendations by research analysts who track the Company’s common shares or 

the shares of other companies in the resource sector;  
the number of common shares to be publicly traded after an offering; and  
the factors listed under the heading “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements”. 

 
 

In addition, the market price of the common shares is affected by many variables not directly related to 
the Company’s success and therefore not within the Company’s control. Factors which may influence the 
price  of  the  Company’s  securities,  include,  but  are  not  limited  to:  worldwide  economic  conditions; 

18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
changes  in  government  policies;  local  community  opposition  to  mining  projects  generally;  investor 
perceptions; movements in global interest rates and global stock markets; variations in operating costs; 
the cost of capital that the Company may require in the future; the market price of metals, including 
copper,  gold  and  silver;  the  price  of  commodities  necessary  for  the  Company’s  operations; 
recommendations  by  securities  research  analysts;  the  share  price  performance  of  the  Company’s 
competitors;  news  reports  relating  to  trends,  concerns,  technological  or  competitive  developments, 
regulatory changes and other related industry and market issues affecting the mining sector; publicity 
about the Company, the Company’s personnel or others operating in the industry; loss of a major funding 
source; and all market conditions that are specific to the mining industry, including other developments 
that affect the market for all resource sector shares, the breadth of the public market for the common 
shares, and the attractiveness of alternative investments. The effect of these and other factors on the 
market  price  of  Shares  on  the  exchanges  on  which  the  Company  trades  has  historically  made  the 
Company’s share price volatile and suggests that the Company’s share price will continue to be volatile 
in the future.  

As a result of any of these factors, the market price of the common shares at any given point in time 
may not accurately reflect the long-term value of the Company. Securities class-action litigation often 
has been brought against companies following periods of volatility in the market price of their securities. 
The  Company  may  in  the  future  be  the  target  of  similar  litigation.  Securities  litigation  could  result  in 
substantial costs and damages and divert management’s attention and resources. 

Control of NGEx Minerals  

As at the date of this MD&A, Zebra and Lorito, who report their security holdings as joint actors, are 
control persons of NGEx Minerals (as defined by the Canadian securities regulations). As long as Zebra 
and Lorito maintain significant  interests  in the  Company, they will have the  ability to exercise  certain 
influence with respect to its affairs and significantly affect the  outcome of  the  votes of shareholders. 
There is a risk that the interests of Zebra and Lorito differ from those of other shareholders.  

As a result of the significant holdings of Zebra and Lorito, there is a risk that the Company’s securities 
are less liquid and trade at a relative discount compared to circumstances where these persons did not 
have the ability to influence or determine matters affecting NGEx Minerals. Additionally, there is a risk 
that  their  significant  interests  in  the  Company  discourages  transactions  involving  a  change  of  control 
thereof,  including  transactions  in  which  an  investor,  as  a  holder  of  the  Company’s  securities,  would 
otherwise receive a premium for its Company’s securities over the then-current market price. 

Infrastructure 

Development and exploration activities depend, to one degree or another, on adequate infrastructure. 
Reliable  roads,  bridges,  power  and  water  supplies  are  important  determinants  that  affect  costs.  The 
Company’s ability to obtain a secure supply of power and water at a reasonable cost depends on many 
factors, including: global and regional supply and demand; political and economic conditions; problems 
that can affect local supplies; delivery; and relevant regulatory regimes. Power and water are currently 
in short supply throughout Northern Chile and this may adversely affect the ability of the Company to 
explore  and  develop  its  Chilean  project.  Unusual  or  infrequent  weather  phenomena,  sabotage  or 
government,  and  other  interference  in  the  maintenance  or  provision  of  such  infrastructure  could 
adversely affect the activities and profitability of the Company. 

Establishing such infrastructure will require significant resources, identification of adequate sources of 
raw materials and supplies and necessary cooperation from national and regional governments, none of 
which  can  be  assured.  There  is  no  guarantee  that  the  Company  will  secure  these  power,  water  and 
access rights going forward or on reasonable terms. 

19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Global Financial Conditions 

The economic viability of the Company’s business plan is impacted by the Company’s ability to obtain 
financing.  The  economic  conditions  and  outlook  of  the  jurisdictions  in  which  the  Company’s  projects 
reside, and more generally global economic conditions, may impact the general availability of financing 
through public and private debt and equity markets, as well as through other avenues.  

Significant political, market, economic, natural or manmade events may have wide-reaching effects and, 
to the extent they are not accurately anticipated or priced into markets, may result in sudden periods of 
market volatility and correction. Periods of market volatility and correction may have an adverse impact 
on economic growth and outlook, as well as lending and capital markets activity, all of which may impact 
the Company’s ability to secure adequate financing on favourable terms, or at all. 

Most recently, global financial markets experienced a period of correction and increased volatility during 
the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine, which began in 
March 2020 and February 2022, respectively, and are ongoing as of the date of this MD&A. As these 
global events evolve, there is no guarantee that credit market conditions will not worsen. A general risk-
adverse approach to investing, decreases in consumer spending and increases in the unemployment rate 
and consumer debt levels, which may become more predominant as a result of market turmoil, may limit 
the  Company’s  ability  to  obtain  future  equity  financing.  Inability  to  obtain  financing  at  all,  or  on 
acceptable terms, may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, 
results of operations, cash flows or prospects. 

Other events may also result in volatility and disruption to global supply chains, operations, mobility of 
people,  patterns  of  consumption  and  service,  and  financial  markets,  and  therefore  potentially  have  a 
negative impact on the Company’s ability to secure financing on favourable terms, or at all, its access to 
the Filo del Sol Project, or its ability to execute its business initiatives, including its field programs. Such 
events may include catastrophic events, either on a global scale or in the specific jurisdictions where the 
Company has its projects, and include, but are not limited to, financial crises, such as that which occurred 
globally  in  2008,  earthquakes,  tsunamis,  floods,  typhoons,  fires,  power  disruptions,  other  natural  or 
manmade  disasters,  terrorist  attacks,  wars,  riots,  civil  unrest  or  other  conflicts,  outbreaks  of  a  public 
health crises, including epidemics, pandemics or outbreaks of new infectious diseases or viruses, as well 
as related and attendant events. 

Furthermore, general market, political and economic conditions, including, for example, inflation, interest 
and currency exchange rates, structural changes in the global mining industry, global supply and demand 
for commodities, political developments, legislative or regulatory changes, social or labour unrest and 
stock  market  trends  will  affect  the  Company’s  operating  environment  and  its  operating  costs,  profit 
margins and share price. Uncertainty or adverse changes relating to government regulation, economic 
and foreign policy matters, and other world events have the potential to adversely affect the performance 
of  and  outlook  for  the  Canadian  and  global  economies,  which  in  turn  may  affect  the  ability  of  the 
Company  to  access  financing  on  favourable  terms  or  at  all.  The  occurrence  of  negative  sentiment  or 
events  in  the  Canadian  and  broader  global  economy  could  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  the 
Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or prospects. 

Currency Risk 

The Company will transact business in a number of currencies including but not limited to the US Dollar, 
the Argentine peso and the Chilean peso. The Argentine peso in particular has had significant fluctuations 
in value relative to the US and Canadian dollars. Ongoing economic uncertainty in Argentina as well as 
unpredictable changes to foreign exchange rules may result in fluctuations in the value of the Argentine 
peso that  are  greater than those  experienced in the  recent past.  Fluctuations in exchange rates may 
have  a  significant  effect  on  the  cash  flows  of  the  Company.  Future  changes  in  exchange  rates  could 

20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
materially affect the Company’s results in either a positive or a negative direction. The Company does 
not currently engage in foreign currency hedging activities. 

Information Systems and Cyber Security  

The Company's operations depend on information technology (“IT”) systems. These IT systems could 
be subject to network disruptions caused by a variety of sources, including computer viruses, security 
breaches and cyber-attacks, as well as disruptions resulting from incidents such as cable cuts, damage 
to  physical  plants,  natural  disasters,  terrorism,  fire,  power  loss,  vandalism  and  theft.  The  Company's 
operations also depend on the timely maintenance, upgrade and replacement of networks, equipment, 
IT 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 increase in capital expenses. 
The  failure  of  information  systems  or  a  component  of  information  systems  could,  depending  on  the 
nature of any such failure, adversely impact the Company's reputation and results of operations.  

Although to date the Company has not experienced any material losses relating to cyber attacks or other 
information security breaches, there can be no assurance that the Company will not incur such losses in 
the  future.  The  Company's  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. 
As cyber threats continue to evolve, the Company may be required to expend additional resources to 
continue  to  modify  or  enhance  protective  measures  or  to  investigate  and  remediate  any  security 
vulnerabilities. 

Application of Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery Laws 

The Company is required to comply with anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws, including the Extractive 
Sector Transparency Measures Act, the Canadian Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act and the U.S. 
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, as well as similar laws in the countries in which the Company conducts its 
business. If the Company finds itself subject to an enforcement action or is found to be in violation of 
such  laws,  this  may  result  in  significant  penalties,  fines  and/or  sanctions  imposed  on  the  Company 
resulting in a material adverse effect on the Company. 

Competition 

There is aggressive competition within the mining industry for the discovery and acquisition of properties 
considered to have commercial potential, as well as the necessary labour and supplies required to develop 
such properties. The Company competes with other exploration and mining companies, many of which 
have greater financial resources, operational experience and technical capabilities than the Company, for 
the acquisition of mineral claims, leases and other mineral interests as well as for the recruitment and 
retention  of  qualified  employees  and  other  personnel.  The  Company  may  not  be  able  to  maintain  or 
acquire attractive mining properties on terms it considers acceptable, or at all. Consequently, its financial 
condition could be materially adversely affected. 

Uninsurable Risks 

Exploration,  development  and  production  operations  on  mineral  properties  involve  numerous  risks, 
including  unexpected  or  unusual  geological  operating  conditions,  rock  bursts,  cave-ins,  fires,  floods, 
earthquakes  and  other  environmental  occurrences,  as  well  as  political  and  social  instability.  It  is  not 
always possible to obtain insurance against all such risks and the Company may decide not to insure 
against certain risks because of high premiums or other reasons. Should such liabilities arise, they could 

21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
reduce or eliminate any further profitability and result in increasing costs and a decline in the value of 
the securities of the Company. The Company does not maintain insurance against political risks. 

Internal Controls 

Internal controls over financial reporting are procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance that 
transactions are properly authorized, assets are safeguarded against unauthorized or improper use, and 
transactions are properly recorded and reported. A control system, no matter how well designed and 
operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance with respect to the reliability of financial 
reporting and financial statement preparation. 

Tax 

The Company runs its business in different countries and strives to run its business in as tax efficient a 
manner  as  possible.  The  tax  systems  in  certain  of  these  countries  are  complicated  and  subject  to 
changes. For this reason, future negative effects on the result of the Company due to changes in tax 
regulations cannot be excluded. Repatriation of earnings to Canada from other countries may be subject 
to withholding taxes. The Company has no control over withholding tax rates. 

QUALIFIED PERSON AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION 

The scientific and technical disclosure included in this MD&A have been reviewed and approved by Bob Carmichael, P. 
Eng.  (BC).  Mr.  Carmichael  is  the  Company's  Vice-President  of  Exploration  and  a  Qualified  Person  under  National 
Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. (“NI 43-101”).   

Mineral Resource estimates for the Los Helados Project have an effective date of April 26, 2019.  The key assumptions, 
parameters, and methods used to estimate the mineral resources are contained in the 43-101 technical report for the 
project, entitled “Technical Report on the Los Helados Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposit, Chile”, dated August 6, 2019 
and authored by F. Devine, P.Geo., G. Zandonai, RMCMC, and G. Di Prisco, P.Geo.  This report is available on the 
Company’s website at www.ngexminerals.com or under the Company’s profile at www.sedar.com. 

Mineral Resources are reported using a CuEq cutoff grade. Copper equivalent is calculated using US$3.00/lb copper, 
US$  1,300/oz  gold  and  US$23/oz  silver,  and  includes  a  provision  for  selling  costs  and  metallurgical  recoveries 
corresponding to three zones defined by depth below surface.  The formulas used are: CuEq% = Cu% + 0.6264*Au 
(g/t) + 0.0047*Ag (g/t) for the Upper Zone (surface to ~ 250 m); Cu% + 0.6366*Au (g/t) + 0.0077*Ag (g/t) for the 
Intermediate Zone (~250 m to ~600 m); Cu% + 0.6337*Au (g/t) + 0.0096*Ag (g/t) for the Deep Zone (> ~600 m). 

The Company’s Mineral Resource estimates as reported in this MD&A have been prepared in accordance with the CIM 
Definition Standards that are incorporated by reference in NI 43-101. 

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 

Certain statements made and information contained herein in the MD&A constitutes “forward-looking information” and 
forward-looking  statements”  within  the  meaning  of  applicable  securities  legislation  (collectively,  “forward-looking 
information”  or  “forward-looking  statements”)  concerning  the  business,  operations,  financial  performance  and 
condition of NGEx Minerals.  The forward-looking information contained in this MD&A is based on information available 
to the Company as of the date of this MD&A. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company 
does  not  intend,  and  does  not  assume,  any  obligation,  to  update  this  forward-looking  information.  Generally,  any 
statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, 
objectives, assumptions or future events or performance, (often, but not always, identified by words or phrases such 
as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", 

22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
“projects” , “estimates”, “budgets”, “scheduled”, “forecasts”, “assumes”, “intends”, “strategy”, “goals”, “objectives”, 
“potential”, “possible”, "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or 
statements that certain actions, events, conditions or results “will”, "may", "could", "would", “should”, "might" or "will 
be  taken",  "will  occur"  or  "will  be  achieved"  or  the  negative  connotations  thereof  and  similar  expressions)  are  not 
statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.   

All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information 
is  necessarily  based  on  estimates  and  assumptions  that  are  inherently  subject  to  known  and  unknown  risks, 
uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of 
the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including 
but not limited to: risks and uncertainties relating to, among other things, the inherent uncertainties regarding Mineral 
Resource estimates, cost estimates, changes in commodity prices, currency fluctuation, financings, changes in share 
price;  unanticipated  resource  grades,  infrastructure,  results  of  exploration  activities,  cost  overruns,  availability  of 
materials and equipment, timeliness of government approvals, taxation, political risk and related economic risk and 
unanticipated environmental impact on operations as well as other risks, and uncertainties and other factors, including, 
without limitation, those referred to in the “Risks and Uncertainties” section of the MD&A, and elsewhere, which may 
cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from 
those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. 

The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and information included in 
this MD&A are reasonable but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such 
forward-looking statements and information should not be unduly relied upon.  This statement and information is as 
of the date of the MD&A. In particular, this MD&A contains forward-looking statements or information pertaining to: 
the assumptions used in the Mineral Resources estimates for the Los Helados Project, including, but not limited to, 
geological  interpretation  and  grades;  assumptions  made  in  the  interpretation  of  drill  results,  geology,  grade  and 
continuity of mineral deposits; expectations regarding access and demand for equipment, skilled labour and services 
needed for exploration and development of mineral properties; and that activities will not be adversely disrupted or 
impeded  by  exploration,  development,  operating,  regulatory,  political,  community,  economic  and/or  environmental 
risks. In addition, this MD&A may  contain  forward-looking statements  or information pertaining to: the Company’s 
ability to respond to or navigate, and/or methods by which it responds to or navigates, the COVID-19 pandemic; the 
expected size, scope and results of the Company’s most recent exploration programs at Los Helados and Valle Ancho, 
including the expected timing of receipt of pending assay results therefrom; exploration and development plans and 
expenditures, including those pertaining to the 2021/2022 program at Valle Ancho and the 2021/2022 program at Los 
Helados, including an update to its Mineral Resource estimate; the ability and/or the willingness of the Company to 
meet the remaining earn-in expenditure at Valle Ancho to secure a 100% interest therein; the timing and nature of 
work undertaken to advance the Los Helados Project or the Valle Ancho Project; the future uses of the net proceeds 
from the Financing; the success of future exploration activities; potential for the discovery of new mineral deposits; 
ability  to  build  shareholder  value;  expectations  with  regard  to  adding  to  Mineral  Resources  through  exploration; 
expectations  with  respect  to  the  conversion  of  Inferred  Resources  to  an  Indicated  Resource  classification,  or  the 
conversion  of  Indicated  Resources  to  a  Measured  Resource  classification;  ability  to  execute  the  planned  work 
programs; estimation of commodity prices, Mineral Resources, estimations of costs, and permitting time lines; ability 
to  obtain  surface  rights  and  property  interests;  currency  exchange  rate  fluctuations;  requirements  for  additional 
capital;  government  regulation  of  mining  activities;  environmental  risks;  unanticipated  reclamation  expenses;  title 
disputes or claims; limitations on insurance coverage; and other risks and uncertainties. 

Forward-looking information is based on certain assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable, including that 
the current price of and demand for commodities will  be sustained or will improve, the supply of commodities  will 
remain stable, that the general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that 
financing will be available if and when needed on reasonable terms and that the Company will not experience any 
material labour dispute, accident, or failure of plant or equipment.  These factors are not, and should not be construed 
as  being,  exhaustive.   Although  the  Company  has  attempted  to  identify  important  factors  that  would  cause  actual 
results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, 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 

23 

 
 
 
 
 
to be accurate, as the Company’s actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in 
such  statements,  as  a  result  of  the  factors  discussed  in  the  “Risk  and  Uncertainties”  section  of  this  MD&A,  and 
elsewhere.   All  of  the  forward-looking  information  contained  in  this  document  is  qualified  by  these  cautionary 
statements.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information due to the inherent 
uncertainty thereof. 

Statements relating to "Mineral Resources" are deemed to be forward-looking information, as they involve the implied 
assessment,  based  on  certain  estimates  and  assumptions,  that  the  Mineral  Resources  described  can  be  profitably 
produced in the future. 

24 

 
 
 
 
 
Independent auditor’s report 

To the Shareholders of NGEx Minerals Ltd. 

Our opinion 

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, 
the financial position of NGEx Minerals Ltd. and its subsidiaries (together, the Company) as at December 
31, 2021 and 2020, and its financial performance and its cash flows for the years then ended in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting 
Standards Board (IFRS). 

What we have audited 
The Company’s consolidated financial statements comprise: 

●

●

●

●

●

the consolidated statements of financial position as at December 31, 2021 and 2020; 

the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss for the years then ended; 

the consolidated statements of cash flows for the years then ended; 

the consolidated statements of changes in equity for the years then ended; and 

the notes to the consolidated financial statements, which include significant accounting policies and 
other explanatory information. 

Basis for opinion 

We conducted our audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. Our 
responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of 
the consolidated financial statements section of our report. 

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for 
our opinion. 

Independence 
We are independent of the Company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our 
audit of the consolidated financial statements in Canada. We have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities 
in accordance with these requirements. 

Other information 

Management is responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the Management’s 
Discussion and Analysis. 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
PricewaterhouseCoopers Place, 250 Howe Street, Suite 1400, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 3S7 
T: +1 604 806 7000, F: +1 604 806 7806 

“PwC” refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an Ontario limited liability partnership. 

Our opinion on the consolidated financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not 
express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the consolidated financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other 
information identified above and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially 
inconsistent with the consolidated financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or 
otherwise appears to be materially misstated. 

If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other 
information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard. 

Responsibilities of management and those charged with governance for the 
consolidated financial statements 

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial 
statements in accordance with IFRS, and for such internal control as management determines is 
necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. 

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is responsible for assessing the 
Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going 
concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless management either intends to liquidate 
the Company or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so. 

Those charged with governance are responsible for overseeing the Company’s financial reporting 
process.  

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the consolidated financial statements 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements as 
a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s 
report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a 
guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards 
will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and 
are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence 
the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these consolidated financial statements. 

As part of an audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards, we exercise 
professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit. We also: 

●

Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, 
whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and 
obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of 

not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, 
as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of 
internal control. 

● Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures 

that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the 
effectiveness of the Company’s internal control. 

● Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting 

estimates and related disclosures made by management. 

● Conclude on the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting and, 
based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or 
conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. If 
we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report 
to the related disclosures in the consolidated financial statements or, if such disclosures are 
inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to 
the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Company to 
cease to continue as a going concern.  

● Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the consolidated financial statements, 

including the disclosures, and whether the consolidated financial statements represent the underlying 
transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation. 

● Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or 
business activities within the Company to express an opinion on the consolidated financial 
statements. We are responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the group audit. We 
remain solely responsible for our audit opinion. 

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope 
and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal 
control that we identify during our audit.  

We also provide those charged with governance with a statement that we have complied with relevant 
ethical requirements regarding independence, and to communicate with them all relationships and other 
matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, related 
safeguards. 

The engagement partner on the audit resulting in this independent auditor’s report is Kevin Bromley. 

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 

Chartered Professional Accountants 

Vancouver, British Columbia 
April 13, 2022  

NGEx Minerals Ltd. 
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position 
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars) 

ASSETS 
Current assets: 

Cash  
Receivables and other assets  

Non-current assets: 

Receivables and other assets 
Equipment 
Mineral properties  

TOTAL ASSETS 

LIABILITIES 
Current liabilities: 
     Trade payables and accrued liabilities 

Non-current liabilities: 
     Due to exploration partner 

TOTAL LIABILITIES 

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY 

Share capital  
Contributed surplus 
Deficit 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss 

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND 
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY 

Commitments (Note 5) 
Subsequent Events (Notes 7, 18) 

Note 

December 31, 
 2021 

December 31, 
 2020 

5 

5 

6 

8 

9 

  $      21,000,042 
929,612 
21,929,654 

$      898,818 
241,367 
1,140,185 

242,199 
23,968 
3,537,087 
3,803,254 

105,950 
26,314 
4,105,871 
4,238,135 

25,732,908 

5,378,320 

1,955,816 

590,516 

393,719 

2,349,535 

67,523,831 
1,616,855 
(43,243,149) 
(2,514,164) 
23,383,373 

345,977 

936,493 

43,053,810 
1,058,841 
(37,786,415) 
(1,884,409) 
4,441,827 

$   25,732,908 

$   5,378,320 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

On behalf of the Board: 

/s/William A. Rand 
Director 

/s/Wojtek A. Wodzicki 
Director

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NGEx Minerals Ltd. 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss 
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars) 

Note 

2021 

Year ended 
December 31, 
2020 

Expenses 
   Exploration and project investigation 

11 

$ 5,664,896 

$ 3,303,659 

   Write down of mineral property interest 

- 

827,343 

   General and administration: 

  Salaries and benefits  
  Share-based compensation  
  Management fees  
  Professional fees 
  Travel 
  Promotion and public relations 
  Office and general 

Operating loss 

Other expenses (income) 

Financing costs 
Foreign exchange gain 
Net monetary loss  
Gain on use of marketable securities, net 

   Other losses 
   Other expenses 
Net loss 

Other comprehensive loss  
   Items that may be reclassified  
     subsequently to net loss: 
      Foreign currency translation  
         adjustment 
      Impact of hyperinflation 
Comprehensive loss 

10c 

4 
15 
8 

4 

874,855 
487,837 
128,640 
199,698 
33,893 
87,223 
216,277 
7,693,319 

136,436 
(28,059) 
54,923 
(2,477,478) 
33,431 
44,162 
5,456,734 

710,398 
539,085 
142,500 
348,087 
7,029 
52,434 
157,014 
6,087,549 

26,238 
(18,041) 
6,022 
(270,198) 
24,114 
37,194 
5,892,878 

686,032 
(56,277) 
$ 6,086,489 

(62,413) 
179,426 
$ 6,009,891 

Basic and diluted loss per common share 

$     0.04 

$     0.05 

Weighted average common shares 
outstanding 

130,091,342 

124,793,652 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NGEx Minerals Ltd. 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars) 

Cash flows used in operating activities 
Net loss for the year 

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net operating  
  cash flows: 

Depreciation 
Write down of mineral property interest 
Share-based compensation  
Finance costs 
Foreign exchange gain 
Net monetary loss 
Other losses  

Net changes in working capital and other items: 

Receivables and other  
Trade payables and accrued liabilities 

Cash flows from (for) financing activities 

Proceeds from equity financings, net 
Drawdown of credit facility 
Repayment of credit facility 
Proceeds from option exercises 
Payments made on behalf of exploration partner 

10c 

8 

9 

7 

Cash flows used in investing activities 

Mineral properties and related expenditures 

6 

Note 

2021 

Year ended 
December 31, 
2020 

$ 

(5,456,734) 

$ 

(5,892,878) 

8,811 
- 
574,076 
136,436 
(28,473) 
103,588 
33,431 

7,299 
827,343 
639,613 
26,238 
(7,892) 
44,791 
24,114 

(892,418) 
1,493,954 
(4,027,329) 

64,553 
(19,990) 
(4,286,809) 

24,284,109 
3,201,050 
(3,174,495) 
58,225 
(11,915) 
24,356,974 

- 
- 
- 
- 
(5,965) 
(5,965) 

(125,756) 
(125,756) 

(133,558) 
(133,558) 

Effect of exchange rate change on cash 

(102,665) 

(234,304) 

Increase (decrease) in cash during the year 

20,101,224 

(4,660,636) 

Cash, beginning of the year 

$       898,818 

$       5,559,454 

Cash, end of the year 

Non-cash Financing Activities (Note 7) 

$       21,000,042 

$          898,818 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NGEx Minerals Ltd. 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity 
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars) 

Note 

Number of 
Shares 

Share Capital 

Contributed 
Surplus 

Deficit 

Accumulated 
Other 
Comprehensive 
Loss 

Total 
Shareholders’ 
Equity 

Balance, January 1, 2020 
Share-based compensation 
Net loss and other comprehensive loss 
Balance, December 31, 2020 

124,793,652  $   43,053,810 
- 
- 
- 
- 
  124,793,652  $ 43,053,810 

$        419,228 
639,613 
- 
$   1,058,841 

$     (31,893,537) 
- 
(5,892,878) 

$       (1,767,396) 
- 
(117,013) 
$  (37,786,415)  $     (1,884,409) 

$     9,812,105 
639,613 
(6,009,891) 
$   4,441,827 

Balance, January 1, 2021 
Share-based compensation 
Shares issued pursuant to the equity  
   financings 
Share issuance costs 
Shares issued pursuant to credit facility 
Shares issued pursuant to stock option  
   exercises 
Net loss and other comprehensive loss 
Balance, December 31, 2021 

10c 

124,793,652  $   43,053,810 
- 

- 

$     1,058,841 
574,076 

$     (37,786,415) 
- 

$       (1,884,409) 
- 

$     4,441,827 
574,076 

9 
9 
7 

10b 

31,250,000 
- 
146,026 

25,000,000 
(715,891) 
111,625 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

25,000,000 
(715,891) 
111,625 

101,666 
- 

74,287 
- 
156,291,344  $ 67,523,831 

(16,062) 
- 
$   1,616,855 

- 
(5,456,734) 

58,225 
(6,086,489) 
$  (43,243,149)  $     (2,514,164)  $   23,383,373 

- 
(629,755) 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NGEx Minerals Ltd. 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) 

1.  NATURE OF OPERATIONS  

NGEx Minerals Ltd. (the “Company” or “NGEx Minerals”) was incorporated on February 21, 2019 under 
the  laws  of  the  Canada  Business  Corporations  Act  in  connection  with  a  plan  of  arrangement  to 
reorganize  Josemaria  Resources  Inc.  (“Josemaria”),  which  was  completed  on  July  17,  2019  (the 
“Josemaria Arrangement”).  

The Company’s principal business activities are the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral 
properties  located  in  South  America.  The  Company’s  registered  office  is  located  at  Suite  2000,  885 
West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 3E8, Canada. The Company’s common shares 
trade on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") under the symbol "NGEX". 

2.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION 

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”), on 
a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and settlement of liabilities in the 
normal course of business. These consolidated financial statements are prepared on a historical cost 
basis except for certain financial assets, which are measured at fair value. 

These consolidated financial statements were authorized for issuance by the Board of Directors of the 
Company on April 13, 2022. 

3.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

a)  Consolidation 

The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the following subsidiaries: 

Subsidiaries 
Suramina Resources Inc. 
NGEx Argentina Holdings Inc. 
NGEx RioEx Holdings Inc. 
Frontera Holdings (Bermuda) I Ltd. 
Frontera Holdings (Bermuda) II Ltd. 
Frontera Holdings (Bermuda) III Ltd. 
Urupampa S.A.  
RioEx Uruguay S.A. 
Minera Frontera del Oro SPA. 
Desarrollo de Prospectos Mineros Peruanos S.A.C. 
Pampa Exploracion S.A. 
RioEx S.A. 

Jurisdiction 
Canada 
Canada 
Canada 
Bermuda 
Bermuda 
Bermuda 
Uruguay 
Uruguay 
Chile 
Peru 
Argentina 
Argentina 

Nature of operations 
Holding company 
Holding company 
Holding company 
Holding company 
Holding company 
Holding company 
Holding company 
Holding company 
Exploration company 
Exploration Company 
Exploration company 
Exploration company 

The Company consolidates an entity when it has power over that entity, is exposed, or has rights, to 
variable returns from its involvement with that entity and has the ability to affect those returns through 
its power over that entity. 

5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NGEx Minerals Ltd. 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) 

All the Company’s subsidiaries are wholly-owned and all intercompany balances, transactions, including 
income  and  expenses  arising  from  inter-company  transactions,  are  eliminated  in  preparing  the 
consolidated financial statements.   

b)  Critical accounting estimates, assumptions and judgements 

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS requires management 
to make estimates, assumptions and judgements that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities 
and expenditures on the financial statements. These estimates, assumptions and judgements are based 
on management’s best knowledge of the relevant facts and circumstances taking into account previous 
experience. Actual results could differ and such differences could be material. Estimates, assumptions 
and judgements are reviewed on an ongoing basis and are based on historical experience and other 
facts and circumstances. Revisions to estimates, assumptions and judgements, and the resulting effects 
on  the  carrying  amounts  of  the  Company’s  assets  and  liabilities,  are  accounted  for  prospectively. 
Information about estimates, assumptions, judgments and other sources of estimation uncertainty as 
at December 31, 2021 that have a risk of resulting in a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of 
assets and liabilities within the next year are provided below: 

Valuation of mineral properties – The Company carries the acquisition costs of its mineral properties 
at  cost  less  any  provision  for  impairment.  At  each  reporting  date,  the  Company  reviews  its  mineral 
properties  for  indicators  of  impairment,  which  requires  the  Company  to  exercise  key  judgements, 
including but not limited to, the Company’s right to explore the mineral property, whether the Company 
has further plans or budgets for substantive expenditures for the ongoing exploration and evaluation of 
the mineral property, the impact of exploration and evaluation results to date with respect to the mineral 
property,  and  the  likelihood  that  the  carrying  value  of  the  mineral  property  will  be  recovered  in  the 
future through development or sale of the asset. If indicators of impairment are identified, the Company 
would  further  review  the  carrying  values  of  the  applicable  mineral  properties  to  determine  if  their 
carrying  values  may  exceed  their  fair  value,  which  also  requires  the  Company  to  make  significant 
judgments and estimates. The judgments and estimates mentioned above are subject to various risks 
and uncertainties, which may ultimately have an effect on the expected recoverability of the carrying 
values of the mineral properties. 

The  Company  has  determined  that  no  indicators  of  impairment  exist  for  its  mineral  properties  as  of 
December 31, 2021. 

c)  Foreign currency translation 

These  consolidated  financial  statements  are  presented  in  Canadian  dollars,  which  is  the  Company’s 
functional and presentation currency. The functional currencies of its material subsidiaries, which have 
operations in Chile and Argentina, are the Chilean peso and the Argentine peso, respectively. 

For  the  Company’s  Argentine  subsidiaries,  which  are  affected  by  hyperinflationary  accounting  as 
described in Notes 3n and 4 below, and use the Argentine peso as their functional currency, the results 
and financial position of this subsidiary are translated into the presentation currency using the exchange 
rate prevailing at the date of the statement of financial position.  

The results and financial position of all other subsidiaries that have a functional currency different from 
the presentation currency are translated into the presentation currency as follows: 

6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NGEx Minerals Ltd. 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) 

  Assets  and  liabilities  for  each  statement  of  financial  position  presented  are  translated  using  the 

exchange rate prevailing at the date of that statement of financial position. 

 

Income, expenses, and other comprehensive income for each statement of comprehensive income 
are translated at average exchange rates (unless this average is not a reasonable approximation 
of the cumulative effect of the rates prevailing on the transaction dates, in which case income and 
expenses are translated at the rate on the dates of the transactions). 

  All resulting exchange differences are recognized as a separate component of equity and in other 

comprehensive income. 

d)  Mineral properties and exploration expenditure 

The Company capitalizes acquisition costs for property rights, including payments for exploration rights 
and estimated fair value of exploration properties acquired as part of an acquisition.   

Mineral exploration costs and maintenance payments are expensed prior to the determination that a 
property  has  economically  recoverable  ore  reserves.  When  it  has  been  established  that  a  mineral 
property is considered to be sufficiently advanced to the development stage, with economic viability and 
technical feasibility demonstrated, all further expenditures for the current year and subsequent years 
are capitalized as incurred and subsequently amortized on a units of production based on proven and 
probable reserves of the assets to which they relate. 

e)  Impairment of non-financial assets 

Non-financial assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate 
that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by 
which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher 
of an asset’s fair value less costs to sell and value in use. For the purposes of assessing impairment, 
assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash inflows (cash-
generating units, or “CGU’s”). Value in use is determined as the present value of future cash inflows 
expected to be derived from a CGU using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects the current time value of 
money and the risks specific to that CGU. 

Non-financial  assets  that  have  been  previously  impaired  are  reviewed  for  possible  reversal  of  the 
impairment at each reporting date. 

f)  Financial instruments 

(i)  Recognition 

The Company measures and classifies its financial assets based on its business model for managing its 
financial assets and the contractual cash flow characteristics of those financial assets. Financial assets 
are  classified  into  three  measurement  categories  on  initial  recognition:  those  measured  at  fair  value 
through profit or loss, those measured at fair value through other comprehensive income (“OCI”) and 
those measured at amortized cost. 

Financial  assets  and  liabilities  at  amortized  cost  are  initially  recognized  at  fair  value  plus  or  minus 
transaction costs, respectively, and subsequently carried at amortized cost less any impairment.  

7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NGEx Minerals Ltd. 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) 

Investments in marketable securities, such as equity instruments of publicly listed entities, are required 
to be measured at fair value through profit or loss, unless the Company makes an irrevocable election 
to present subsequent changes in the fair value of such instruments through OCI. The Company has 
not elected to measure any of its marketable securities through OCI.  

(ii) Derecognition 

The Company derecognizes financial assets when the contractual rights to cash flows from the financial 
assets  expire,  or  when  it  transfers  the  financial  assets  and  substantially  all  the  associated  risk  and 
rewards of ownership to another entity.  A financial liability is derecognized when the obligation under 
the liability is discharged, canceled or expired. Gains and losses on derecognition of financial assets and 
liabilities are generally recognized in the consolidated statement of comprehensive loss.   

(iii) Impairment 

The  Company  recognizes  a  loss  allowance  for  expected  credit  losses  on  financial  assets  that  are 
measured at amortized costs based on a probability-weighted estimate of credit losses over the expected 
life of the financial asset.   

At each reporting date, the Company measures the loss allowance for the financial asset at an amount 
equal  to  the  lifetime  expected  credit  losses  if  the  credit  risk  on  the  financial  asset  has  increased 
significantly since initial recognition.  If at the reporting date, the credit risk on the financial asset has 
not increased significantly since initial recognition, the Company measures the loss allowance for the 
financial  asset  at  an  amount  equal  to  twelve  month  expected  credit  losses.    Impairment  losses  on 
financial assets carried at amortized cost are reversed in subsequent periods if the expected credit losses 
are reversed after the impairment was recognized. 

g)  Cash  

Cash includes cash on hand, and deposits held with financial institutions with a fixed deposit term of 
three months or less, net of bank overdrafts. 

h)  Equipment 

Equipment is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. The cost of an asset 
consists  of  its  purchase  price,  any  directly  attributable  costs  of  bringing  the  asset  to  the  working 
condition and location of its intended use and an initial estimate of the costs of dismantling and removing 
the item and restoring the site on which it is located. 

Subsequent  costs  are  included  in  the  asset’s  carrying  amount  or  recognized  as  a  separate  asset,  as 
appropriate, only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to 
the Company and the cost of the item can be measured reliably.  

8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NGEx Minerals Ltd. 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) 

Depreciation of each asset is calculated using the straight line method to allocate its cost less its residual 
value over its estimated useful life. The depreciation rates and methods for the Company’s equipment 
are as follows: 

Vehicles/Mobile Equipment 

Straight line over 5 years 

The  assets’  residual  values,  depreciation  methods,  and  useful  lives  are  reviewed,  and  adjusted  if 
appropriate, at each statement of financial position date. 

An asset’s carrying amount is written down immediately to its recoverable amount if the asset’s carrying 
amount is greater than its estimated recoverable amount. 

When an asset is disposed of, the difference between the net sale proceeds and its carrying amount is 
recognized as a gain or loss within net loss on the consolidated statement of comprehensive loss. 

i)  Current and deferred income tax 

The Company follows the liability method of accounting for income taxes.  Under the liability method, 
deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to 
differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their 
respective tax bases, unused tax losses and other income tax deductions. Deferred income tax assets 
are recognized for deductible temporary differences, unused tax losses and other income tax deductions 
to the extent that it is probable the Company will have taxable income against which those deductible 
temporary differences, unused tax losses and other income tax deductions can be utilized.   

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted or substantively enacted tax rates 
expected to apply when the related assets are realized or the liabilities are settled. The measurement 
of deferred income tax assets and liabilities reflects the tax consequences that would follow from the 
manner in which the Company expects, at the reporting date, to recover and settle the carrying amounts 
of  its  assets  and  liabilities,  respectively.  The  effect  on  deferred  income  tax  assets  and  liabilities  of  a 
change in tax rates is recognized in the period in which the change is substantively enacted. 

j)  Share capital 

Common shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issuance of new 
ordinary shares or options are shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds. 

k)  Share-based compensation 

The Company has a share-based compensation plan, whereby it is authorized to grant share options to 
officers, employees, directors, and other eligible persons.  The fair value of the options is measured at 
the date the options are  granted, using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model  with assumptions  for 
risk-free interest rates, dividend yields, volatility of the expected market price of the common shares 
and an expected life of the options.  The fair value less estimated forfeitures is charged over the vesting 
period of the related options as an expense on its financial statements. 

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NGEx Minerals Ltd. 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) 

l)  Provisions 

Provisions for restructuring costs and legal claims are recognized when: the Company has a present 
legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events; it is probable that an outflow of resources 
will be required to settle the obligation; and the amount can be reliably estimated. 

Provisions are measured at the present value of the expenditures expected to be required to settle the 
obligations using the pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money 
and the risks  specific to the  obligation. The  increase  in the provision due  to the passage of time is 
recognized as interest expense. 

m)  Segment reporting 

As the Company primarily focuses its activity on the exploration and development of mineral properties, 
its operating and reportable segments are the Los Helados Project, the Company’s exploration projects 
in  Argentina,  other  exploration  projects,  and  the  Company’s  corporate  administration  function. 
Operating segments are components of an entity that engage in business activities from which they 
incur expenses and whose operating results are regularly reviewed by a chief operating decision maker 
to make resource allocation decisions and to assess performance. The Chief Executive Officer, the chief 
operating decision-maker for the Company, obtains and reviews operating results of each operating 
segment on a monthly basis. 

n)  Hyperinflation 

The Company applies IAS 29, Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies, which outlines the 
use of the hyperinflationary accounting to consolidate and report its Argentine operating subsidiaries.  

The application of hyperinflationary accounting requires restatement of the Argentine subsidiaries’ non-
monetary assets and liabilities, shareholders’ equity and comprehensive loss items from the transaction 
date when they were first recognized into the current purchasing power which reflects a price index 
current  at  the  end  of  the  reporting  period  before  being  included  in  the  consolidated  financial 
statements. To measure the impact of inflation on its financial position and results, the Company has 
elected to use the Wholesale Price Index (Indice de Precios Mayoristas or “IPIM”) for periods  up to 
December 31, 2016, and the Retail Price Index (Indice de Precios al Consumidor or “IPC”) thereafter. 
These price indices have been recommended by the Government Board of the Argentine Federation of 
Professional Councils of Economic Sciences (“FACPCE”). 

As the consolidated financial statements of the Company have been previously presented in Canadian 
dollars, a stable currency, the comparative period amounts do not require restatement. 

o)  New accounting pronouncements 

The IASB and/or the IFRS Interpretations Committee have issued new standards and amendments, or 
interpretations to existing standards, which were not yet effective and not applied by the Company as 
at December 31, 2021. The Company continues to evaluate these changes to determine their impact, 
if any.  

10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NGEx Minerals Ltd. 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) 

IAS 16, Property, plant and equipment  

IAS 16 has been amended to provide clarity with respect to the treatment of net proceeds generated 
from selling any items produced while bringing an item of property, plant and equipment to the location 
and  condition  necessary  for  it  to  be  capable  of  operating  in  the  manner  intended  by  the  entity. 
Specifically,  the  amendments  prohibit  entities  from  deducting  amounts  resulting  from  the  selling  of 
items produced during this phase from the cost of property, plant and equipment. Instead, an entity 
shall recognize such sales proceeds and related costs in profit or loss. 

The amendments to IAS 16 are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 
2022 and are not expected to have an impact on the Company’s financial results for the year ended 
December 31, 2022. 

There  are  no  other  IFRS  standards  or  International  Financial  Reporting  Interpretations  Committee 
interpretations that are not yet effective or early adopted that are expected to have any impact on the 
Company. 

4.  HYPERINFLATION 

Argentina was designated a hyperinflationary economy as of July 1, 2018 for accounting purposes. 

The Company recognized a gain of $56,277 for the year ended December 31, 2021 (2020: loss of 
$179,426) in relation to the impact of hyperinflation within other comprehensive income, which is 
primarily the result of continued inflation during the year and the resulting adjustments recognized 
on the net asset position of held by the Company’s Argentine operating subsidiaries. 

As a result of changes in the IPC and changes to the Company’s net monetary position, the Company 
recognized a net monetary loss of $54,923 for the year ended December 31, 2021 (2020: $6,022), 
to adjust transactions recorded during the year into a measuring unit current as of December 31, 
2021.  

The level of the IPC at December 31, 2021 was 582.5 (December 31, 2020: 385.9), which represents 
an increase of approximately 51% over the IPC at December 31, 2020, and an approximate 19% 
increase over the average level of the IPC during the year ended December 31, 2021. 

11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NGEx Minerals Ltd. 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) 

5.  RECEIVABLES AND OTHER ASSETS 

Current 

Taxes receivable 

Other receivables and advances 

Other prepaid expenses and deposits 

Non-current 
Taxes receivable 

Deferred surface access rights 

Deferred Surface Access Rights 

December 31,  
2021 

December 31, 
2020 

49,076 
193,059 
687,477 
929,612 

86,489 
155,710 

242,199 

62,297 
41,175 
137,895 
241,367 

105,950 
- 

105,950 

Historically, the Company has had a contractual agreement with the owners of the surface rights 
covering the Los Helados properties, which gave the Company access over these surface rights for 
exploration, development, and mining through to closure of any mining operation, in exchange for 
certain  payments  which  are  linked  to  project  activities  and  certain  development  milestones  (the 
“Original  Surface  Access  Agreement”). The  Original  Surface  Access  Agreement  provided  for 
minimum  annual  payments  of  US$0.5  million  which  covered  basic  access  to  the  property  and 
minimal surface disturbance such as road maintenance. 

On  January  26,  2021,  the  Original  Surface  Access  Agreement  was  mutually  terminated  by  the 
Company  and  the  holders  of  the  surface  rights  and  replaced  with  an  interim  surface  access 
agreement with an effective period of three years (the “Interim Surface Access Agreement”). The 
Interim Surface Access Agreement reduces the Company’s payments to the holders of the surface 
rights to coincide with the current, reduced level of  activities at the Los Helados properties. As a 
result, the payments by the Company to the holders of the surface rights have been reduced, with 
US$200,000 paid upon execution and another US$200,000 to be paid in January 2022. In return, 
during the effective period of the Interim Surface Access Agreement, the Company is permitted to 
access  the  surface  rights  for  conducting  environmental  data  collection,  site  visits,  and  general 
maintenance  of  the  Los  Helados  properties,  but  prohibits  the  undertaking  of  programs  for  the 
purposes of exploration or development.  

Accordingly, as at December 31, 2021, the payment of US$200,000 due in January 2022 has been 
recognized within trade payables and accrued liabilities. As at December 31, 2021, this contractual 
liability had a Canadian dollar equivalent of approximately $253,560. 

As the payments related to the Interim Surface Access Agreement provide the Company the benefit 
of access for a period of three years ending January 2024, the pro rata portion relating to the 12 
months  ending  December  31,  2022  have  been  classified  as  a  current  asset,  whereas  all  other 
amounts have been classified as non-current. 

12 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NGEx Minerals Ltd. 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) 

On November 30, 2021, in preparation for a drill program at the Los Helados properties to occur in 
early 2022, the Company and the owners of the surface rights executed an addendum to the Interim 
Surface  Access  Agreement,  whereby  in  exchange  for  an  incremental  US$300,000  payment,  the 
Company has temporarily reinstated its access rights as per the Original Surface Access Agreement 
for  a  period  ending  December  31,  2022.  As  the  incremental  payment  related  to  the  temporary 
reinstatement of surface access rights provides the Company the benefit of access up to December 
31, 2022, the pro rata portion relating to the year ending December 31, 2022 has been deferred as 
a current asset. 

Non-current Taxes Receivable 

Pursuant  to  local  regulations,  the  Company  is  entitled  to  a  refund  of  certain  value  added  taxes 
(“VAT”)  paid  in  Argentina.  While  the  Company  continues  to  expect  full  payment  of  the  amounts 
claimed,  the  timing  of  receipt  of  the  refunds  has  become  increasingly  uncertain  due  to  ongoing 
delays which have now exceeded the Company’s prior expectations and experiences. Accordingly, 
the corresponding taxes receivable balance has been classified as non-current.  

6.  MINERAL PROPERTIES 

Los Helados 
Project 

Nacimientos 
Properties 

Total 

January 1, 2020 
Additions 

$ 3,924,374 
133,558 

$ 840,831 
- 

$ 4,765,205 
133,558 

Write down 
Effect of foreign currency  
   translation 
Adjustments for impacts of  
   hyperinflation 
December 31, 2020 

Additions 
Effect of foreign currency  
   translation 
December 31, 2021 

Los Helados Project 

(827,343) 

(827,343) 

47,939 

- 

47,939 

- 

(13,488) 

(13,488) 

$ 4,105,871 

$              - 

$ 4,105,871 

125,756 

(694,540) 

- 

- 

125,756 

(694,540) 

$ 3,537,087 

$              - 

$ 3,537,087 

The  Company’s  primary  mineral  property  assets  are  the  Los  Helados  properties  and  the  La  Rioja 
properties  (together,  the  “Los  Helados  Project”),  which  are  comprised  of  adjacent  mineral  titles  in 
Region III, Chile, and the San Juan Province in Argentina.  

The Company is the majority partner and operator of the Los Helados Project, which is subject to a 
Joint Exploration Agreement (“JEA”) with its exploration partner, Nippon Caserones Resources Co. Ltd. 
(“NCR”).    NCR  became  the  Company’s  partner  on  April  1,  2020  when  Pan  Pacific  Copper  Co.  Ltd. 
transferred its interest in the Los Helados Project to NCR, a subsidiary of JX Nippon Mining and Metals 
Corporation, a Tokyo-based mining and smelting company that also owns the Caserones Mine, located 
approximately 12 kilometres from the Los Helados properties. 

13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NGEx Minerals Ltd. 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) 

The Company holds an approximate 64% interest in the underlying Los Helados properties, which are 
located in Region III, Chile, and a 60% interest in the La Rioja properties, located in the adjacent San 
Juan Province in Argentina. 

The  Company  has  been  funding  and  accounting  for  100%  of  the  expenditures  related  to  the  Los 
Helados Project following the election by the exploration partner pursuant to the JEA not to fund its 
share of expenditures since September 1, 2015. The sole funding of expenditures at the Los Helados 
Project  has  resulted  in  dilution  of  NCR’s  interest,  and  corresponding  increases  to  the  Company’s 
interest, resulting in the amounts noted in the preceding paragraph. 

Valle Ancho Properties 

On August 29, 2019, the Company entered into an option agreement with the Province of Catamarca, 
Argentina to earn a 100% interest in the Valle Ancho and Interceptor properties (collectively, the “Valle 
Ancho Properties”), located in Catamarca, Argentina, by making US$8.0 million in qualifying exploration 
expenditures on the Valle Ancho Properties over a two-year period. In August 2020, the option period 
for Valle Ancho was extended from August 2021 to December 2022. 

7.  CREDIT FACILITY 

On February 19, 2021, the Company obtained an unsecured US$3.0 million credit facility (the “2021 
Facility”) from Zebra Holdings and Investments S.à.r.l. (“Zebra”) and Lorito Holdings S.à.r.l. (“Lorito”) 
to provide financial flexibility to fund ongoing exploration and for general corporate purposes. Zebra 
and Lorito are companies controlled by a trust settled by the late Adolf H. Lundin. Zebra and Lorito 
report  their  respective  security  holdings  in  the  Company  as  joint  actors,  as  defined  by  Canadian 
securities regulations, and are related parties of the Company by virtue of their combined shareholding 
in the Company in excess of 20%. 

As  consideration  for  the  2021  Facility,  Zebra  and  Lorito  received  40,000  common  shares  upon 
execution thereof (the “Commitment Shares”) and is entitled to receive an additional 600 common 
shares  each  month,  for  every  US$50,000  in  principal  outstanding,  prorated  accordingly  for  the 
number of days outstanding.  

During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company drew a total of US$2,550,000 against the 
2021 Facility, and the amount was fully repaid in November 2021  following the completion of an 
equity financing (Note 9). The repayment had a Canadian dollar equivalent of approximately $3.2 
million.  As  at  December  31,  2021,  no  amount  remained  drawn  or  outstanding  against  the  2021 
Facility, and it matured on February 19, 2022 with no interest paid in cash during its term. 

As a result of the amounts previously drawn, during the year ended December 31, 2021, 146,026 
common  shares  were  issued  to  Zebra  and  Lorito  in  connection  with  the  2021  Facility,  and  the 
Company  has  recognized  $108,291  (2020:  $nil)  in  financing  costs  through  the  consolidated 
statement of comprehensive loss. In addition, $3,334 has been deferred within prepaid expenses 
and other deposits as at December 31, 2021 as it relates to a portion of the Commitment Shares. 

All common shares issued in conjunction with the facilities are subject to a four-month hold period 
under applicable securities laws. 

14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NGEx Minerals Ltd. 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) 

8.  DUE TO EXPLORATION PARTNER 

Pursuant to the Josemaria Arrangement, the Company assumed from Josemaria an obligation to fund 
a partner’s share of exploration expenditures related to the La Rioja properties (the “Obligation”). In 
accordance with the terms of the JEA between the Company and the partner, NCR, the Company has 
elected  to  settle  the  Obligation  through  funding  NCR’s  share  of  exploration  expenditures,  which 
remained US$3.4 million as at December 31, 2021, and has no defined timeline for settlement. 

The Company considered the estimated timeframe required to expend the remaining US$3.4 million on 
behalf of NCR at the La Rioja properties and has presented the remaining obligation as a non-current 
liability, discounted to its present value at an annual effective rate of 8%. 

As at December 31, 2021, the Company reviewed the nature and timing of future expenditures at the 
La  Rioja  properties  and  increased  its  expected  annual  funding  of  NCR’s  share  of  future  exploration 
expenditures from US$22,400 to US$25,600 based on its best estimate of exploration activities to be 
conducted  on  the  project.  This  revision  reduces  the  estimated  timeframe  for  the  settlement  of  the 
Obligation. The effect of this change in future estimated expenditures at the La Rioja properties is an 
increase in the amount due to exploration partner by $33,431, with a corresponding amount recognized 
within other losses on the consolidated statement of comprehensive loss for the year ended December 
31, 2021.  

9.  SHARE CAPITAL  

The Company has authorized an unlimited number of voting common shares without par value.   

On November 1, 2021, the Company closed a non-brokered private placement, pursuant to which the 
Company  sold  an  aggregate  of  31,250,000  common  shares  at  a  price  of  $0.80  per  common  share, 
generating aggregate gross proceeds of $25.0 million (the “Financing”). Share issuance costs related 
to the Financing totaled $0.7 million, and included professional fees, regulatory fees, and 5% finders’ 
fees payable in cash on approximately $13.3 million of the gross proceeds from the Financing.  

The common shares issued under the Financing were subject to a hold period, which expired on March 
2, 2022. 

10. SHARE OPTIONS 

a)  Share option plan 

The  Company  has  a  share  option  plan  adopted  by  the  Board  of  Directors  on  May  7,  2019,  which 
reserves an aggregate of 10% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company for issuance upon 
the  exercise  of  options  granted.  The  granting,  vesting  and  terms  of  the  share  options  are  at  the 
discretion of the Board of Directors. 

b)  Share options outstanding 

Movements in the number of share options outstanding and their related weighted average exercise 
prices are as follows: 

15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NGEx Minerals Ltd. 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) 

Balance at January 1, 2020 
Options granted 
Expired  
Balance at December 31, 2020 
Options granted 
Exercised 
Expired or forfeited 
Balance at December 31, 2021 

Number of 
shares issuable 
pursuant to 
share options 
6,657,500 
2,660,000 
(1,182,500) 
8,135,000 
2,280,000 
(101,666) 
(1,152,500) 
9,160,834 

Weighted 
average 
exercise price 
per share  
$      0.64 
0.54 
0.89 
$      0.57 
0.68 
0.57 
0.81 
$      0.56 

On September 1, 2021, the Company granted a total of 2,280,000 share options to officers, employees, 
directors and other eligible persons at an exercise price of $0.68 per share. 

The  Company  uses  the Black-Scholes  option pricing  model to estimate the  fair  value  for all options 
granted and the resulting stock-based compensation. The weighted average assumptions used in this 
pricing model, and the resulting fair values per option, for the 2,280,000 share options granted during 
the year ended December 31, 2021, are as follows: 

(i) 
(ii) 
(iii) 
(iv) 
(v) 

Risk-free interest rate:   
Expected life: 
Expected volatility: 
Expected dividends: 
Fair value per option: 

0.71% 
5 years 
60.81% 
nil 
$0.35 

The following table details the share options outstanding and exercisable as at December 31, 2021: 

Exercisable options 
Weighted 
average 
remaining 
contractual 
life  
(Years) 
2.74 
3.92 
2.15 
2.98 

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
   price 
$0.475 
$0.54 
$0.68 
$0.53 

Options 
exercisable 
3,410,000 
1,746,668 
987,500 
6,144,168 

Outstanding options 
Weighted 
average 
remaining 
contractual 
life  
(Years) 
2.74 
3.92 
3.89 
3.47 

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
   price 
$0.475 
$0.54 
$0.68 
$0.56 

Options 
outstanding 
3,410,000 
2,583,334 
3,167,500 
9,160,834 

Exercise 
price  
$0.475 
$0.54 
$0.68 

16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NGEx Minerals Ltd. 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) 

c)  Share-based compensation 

Exploration and project investigation 

General and administration 

Year ended 
December 31, 
2020 
100,528 
539,085 
639,613 

2021 
86,239 
487,837 
574,076 

11. EXPLORATION AND PROJECT INVESTIGATION 

Due to the geographic location of the Company’s current mineral property interests, the Company’s 
business activities generally fluctuate with the seasons, with increased exploration activities during the 
summer months in South America. As a result, a general recurring trend is the increase in exploration 
expenditures, and therefore net losses, for the fourth quarter and first quarter of a fiscal year, relative 
to the second and third quarters. 

The Company expensed the following exploration and project investigation costs for the years ended 
December 31, 2021 and 2020: 

17 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NGEx Minerals Ltd. 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) 

Year ended 
December 31, 

2021 

2020 

Los Helados 
Project 

Nacimientos 
Properties 

Valle 
Ancho 

Other 

Total 

Land holding and access costs 
Fuel, camp costs and field supplies 
Roadwork, travel and transport 
Consultants, geochemistry and geophysics 
Environmental and community relations 
VAT and other taxes 
Office, field and administrative salaries, 
overhead and other administrative costs 
Share-based compensation 
COVID-19-related health and safety 
Total  

Land holding and access costs 
Fuel, camp costs and field supplies 
Roadwork, travel and transport 
Engineering and conceptual studies 
Consultants, geochemistry and geophysics 
Environmental and community relations 
VAT and other taxes 
Office, field and administrative salaries, 
overhead and other administrative costs 
Share-based compensation  
Total  

400,219 
261,069 
142,014 
112,765 
39,442 
104,478 

260,259 

20,409 
- 
1,340,655 

809,249 
34,127 
29,811 
26,517 
53,131 
64,427 
29,640 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

8,010 
1,194,990 
673,076 
515,605 
16,728 
540,916 

30,174 
21 
122 
65,575 
- 
7,913 

438,403 
1,456,080 
815,212 
693,945 
56,170 
653,307 

1,039,153 

31,423 

1,330,835 

60,542 
- 
- 
134,705 
-  4,183,725 

5,288 
- 
140,516 

86,239 
134,705 
5,664,896 

6,194 
12,316 
3,009 
- 
- 
184 
11,935 

9,481 
117,974 
143,720 
- 
394,712 
35,339 
208,739 

32,071 
44 
51 
- 
157,190 
- 
11,179 

856,995 
164,461 
176,591 
26,517 
605,033 
99,950 
261,493 

293,366 
42,063 
1,382,331 

42,756 
2,398 

660,571 
49,290 
78,792  1,619,826 

15,398 
6,777 
222,710 

1,012,091 
100,528 
3,303,659 

18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NGEx Minerals Ltd. 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) 

12. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 

Under the normal course of operations, the Company may undertake transactions or hold balances 
with  related  parties.  Other  than  those  related  party  transactions  identified  elsewhere  in  these 
consolidated financial statements, the Company also engages with Josemaria and Filo Mining Corp. 
(“Filo Mining”), related parties by way of directors, officers and shareholders in common, and MOAR 
Consulting Inc. (“MOAR”), an exploration consulting firm, of which a director of the Company is the 
president. 

a)  Related party services 

The Company has a cost sharing arrangement with Josemaria and Filo Mining. Under the terms of this 
arrangement, the Company may,  from time to time,  provide management, technical, administrative 
and/or financial services (collectively, “Management Services”) to Josemaria and Filo Mining, and vice 
versa. In addition, the Company engages MOAR to provide exploration consultation. These transactions 
were incurred in the normal course of operations, and are summarized as follows: 

Management Services to Josemaria 
Management Services to Filo Mining 
Management Services from Josemaria 
Management Services from Filo Mining 
Exploration Consultation from MOAR 

b)  Related party balances 

Year ended 
December 31, 
2020 

2021 

83,524 
591,415 
(42,058) 
(549,787) 
(57,000) 

139,906 
500,101 
(150,750) 
(433,148) 
(106,875) 

The  amounts  due  from  (to)  related  parties,  and  the  components  of  the  consolidated  statements  of 
financial position in which they are included, are as follows: 

Related Party 

December 31, 
 2021 

December 31, 
 2020 

Receivables and other assets 

Receivables and other assets 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 

Josemaria 

Filo Mining 

Josemaria 
Filo Mining 
MOAR 

27,996 

24,343 

(1,667) 
(15,113) 
- 

- 

5,850 

- 
(11,752) 
(14,125) 

19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NGEx Minerals Ltd. 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) 

c)  Key management compensation 

The  Company’s  key  management  personnel  have  the  authority  and  responsibility  for  overseeing, 
planning, directing and controlling its activities and consist of the Board of Directors and members of 
the executive management team. Total compensation expense for key management personnel, and 
the composition thereof, is as follows: 

Salaries and other payments 

Short-term employee benefits 

Directors fees 

Stock-based compensation 

Severance 

13. INCOME TAXES 

Year ended 
December 31, 
2020 
435,333 
15,440 
82,000 
514,877 
- 
1,047,650 

2021 
474,000 
14,000 
82,000 
458,478 
75,000 
  1,103,478 

Income tax expense differs from the amount that would result from applying the Canadian federal and 
provincial income tax rates to the loss for the year.  These differences result from the following items: 

Loss before taxes 
Combined Canadian federal and provincial statutory  
   income tax rates 
Income tax recovery based on the above rate 

Changes to income tax balances and other items that have  
   not been recognized 
Impacts of changes and differences in foreign tax and  
   currency rates 
Non-deductible expenses and permanent differences 

Total income tax recovery 

Year ended 
December 31, 
2020 

2021 

5,456,734 

5,892,878 

27.00% 
1,473,318 

27.00% 
1,591,077 

671,598 

(1,152,100) 

(3,048,874) 
903,958 
- 

(133,457) 
(305,520) 
- 

20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NGEx Minerals Ltd. 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) 

The  Company’s  unrecognized  deductible  temporary  differences  and  unused  tax  losses  for  which  no 
deferred tax asset has been recognized consist of the following: 

Non-capital losses carried forward 
Mineral properties and related expenditures  
Other 

Year ended 
December 31, 
2020 
1,216,823 
19,183,197 
- 

2021 
1,896,749 
17,870,945 
154,632 

19,922,326  20,400,020 

As at December 31, 2021, the non-capital loss carry-forwards and their respective expiration dates are 
as follows:  

Year 
2022 
2023 
2024 
2025 
2026 and onwards 

Canada 
- 
- 
- 
- 
5,920,264 
5,920,264 

Argentina 
16,587 
296,021 
17,321 
18,203 
406,971 
755,103 

Other 
20,225 
22,980 
37,428 
32,379 
18,451 
131,463 

Total 
36,812 
319,001 
54,749 
50,582 
6,345,686 
6,806,830 

14. SEGMENTED INFORMATION 

The  Company  is  principally  engaged  in  the  acquisition,  exploration  and  development  of  mineral 
properties in South America. The information regarding mineral properties and exploration and project 
investigation  costs  presented  in  Notes  6  and  11,  respectively,  represent  the  manner  in  which 
management reviews its business performance. Materially all of the Company’s mineral properties and 
exploration and project investigation costs relate to South America, particularly Chile and Argentina. The 
net gains on the use of marketable securities are allocated to the Valle Ancho Project, as for the year 
ended December 31, 2021, they are solely the result of funding provided to an Argentine subsidiary, 
Pampa Exploracion S.A., in support of this project. Materially all of the Company’s administrative costs 
are incurred by the Canadian parent, where materially all of the Company’s cash is held in the normal 
course of business until it is required to be deployed to the Company’s South American subsidiaries in 
support of ongoing and planned work programs.  

21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NGEx Minerals Ltd. 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) 

The following are summaries of the Company’s current and non-current assets, current liabilities, and net losses by segment: 

Current assets 
Non-current receivables and  
   other assets 
Equipment 

As at 
December 31,  Mineral properties 
2021 

Total assets 

Los Helados  
Project 

Valle Ancho 

Corporate 

Total 

1,077,512 

2,472,602 

18,379,540 

21,929,654 

155,710 
- 
3,537,087 

4,770,309 

86,489 
23,968 
- 

- 
- 
- 

242,199 
23,968 
3,537,087 

2,583,059 

18,379,540 

25,732,908 

Current liabilities 
Due to exploration  
   partner 
Total liabilities 

537,961 

1,158,217 

259,638 

1,955,816 

- 
537,961 

- 
1,158,217 

393,719 
653,357 

393,719 
2,349,535 

Current assets 
Non-current receivables and  
   other assets 
Equipment 

As at 
December 31,  Mineral properties 
2020 

Total assets 

Current liabilities 
Due to exploration  
   partner 
Total liabilities 

Los Helados  
Project 

Nacimientos & 
Valle Ancho 

Corporate 

Total 

128,924 

201,442 

809,819 

1,140,185 

105,950 
26,314 
- 
333,706 

- 
- 
- 
809,819 

105,950 
26,314 
4,105,871 
5,378,320 

222,337 

300,332 

590,516 

- 
222,337 

345,977 
646,309 

345,977 
936,493 

- 
- 
4,105,871 
4,234,795 

67,847 

- 
67,847 

22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NGEx Minerals Ltd. 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) 

Year ended  
December 31, 

 2021 

2020 

Exploration and  
   project       
   investigation 
Gain on use of  
   marketable  
   securities 
General and  
   administration    
   and other items 
Net loss 

Exploration and  
   project       
   investigation 
Write down of  
   mineral property 
   interest 
Gain on use of  
   marketable  
   securities 
General and  
   administration    
   and other items 

Net loss 

Los Helados 
Project  

Valle Ancho 

Corporate 

Other 

Total 

1,340,655 

4,183,725 

- 

(2,477,478) 

- 

- 

140,516 

5,664,896 

- 

(2,477,478) 

78,883 
1,419,538 

110,868 
1,817,115 

2,079,565 
2,079,565 

- 
140,516 

2,269,316 
5,456,734 

Los Helados 
Project  

Nacimientos  
& Valle Ancho 

Corporate 

Other 

Total 

1,382,331 

1,698,618 

- 

- 

827,343 

(270,198) 

- 

- 

- 

80,798 

1,463,129 

60,184 

2,315,947 

1,891,092 

1,891,092 

222,710 

3,303,659 

- 

- 

- 

222,710 

827,343 

(270,198) 

2,032,074 

5,892,878 

23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NGEx Minerals Ltd. 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) 

15. USE OF MARKETABLE SECURITIES  

From  time  to  time,  the  Company  may  acquire  and  transfer  marketable  securities  to  facilitate 
intragroup funding transfers between the Canadian parent and its Argentine operating subsidiaries.  

The Company does not acquire marketable securities or engage in these transactions for speculative 
purposes. In this regard, under this strategy, the Company generally uses marketable securities of 
large and well-established companies, with high trading volumes and low volatility. Nonetheless, as 
the  process  to  acquire,  transfer  and  ultimately  sell  the  marketable  securities  occurs  over  several 
days, some fluctuations are unavoidable. 

As the marketable securities are acquired with the intention of a near term sale, they are considered 
financial  instruments  that  are  held  for  trading.  Accordingly,  all  changes  in  the  fair  value  of  the 
instruments, between acquisition and disposition, are recognized through profit or loss. 

As a result of having utilized this mechanism for intragroup funding for the year ended December 
31, 2021, the Company realized a net gain of $2,477,478 (2020: $270,198). The net gain for the 
year ended December 31, 2021 was comprised of a favorable foreign currency impact of $2,943,625 
(2020: $219,831) and a trading loss of $466,147 (2020: gain of $50,367), including the impact of 
fees and commissions. 

16. CAPITAL MANAGEMENT 

The Company’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard its ability to continue as a going 
concern  in  order  to  pursue  the  development  of  its  mineral  properties  and  to  maintain  a  flexible 
capital  structure  which  optimizes  the  costs  of  capital  at  an  acceptable  risk.  In  the  definition  and 
management  of  capital,  the  Company  considers  the  items  included  in  shareholders’  equity  to  be 
capital. 

The  Company  manages  the  capital  structure  and  makes  adjustments,  as  necessary,  in  light  of 
changes in  economic  conditions and the risk characteristics of its assets.  In  order to maintain or 
adjust the capital structure, the Company may attempt to issue new shares or debt instruments, 
acquire or dispose of assets, or to bring in joint venture partners. 

To facilitate the management of its capital  requirements, the Company  may  prepare expenditure 
plans and budgets that are updated as necessary depending on various factors, including, but not 
limited to, successful capital deployment and general industry conditions.  

24 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NGEx Minerals Ltd. 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) 

17. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND MANAGEMENT OF FINANCIAL RISKS 

The  Company  has  estimated  the  fair  values  of  its  financial  instruments  based  on  appropriate 
valuation methodologies.  These values are not materially different from their carrying value. 

The Company classifies the fair value of its financial instruments according to the following hierarchy 
based on the amount of observable inputs used to value the instrument: 

 
 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities 
Level  2  –  inputs  other  than  quoted  prices  included  in  Level  1  that  are  observable  for  the 
assets or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices); and 
Level  3  –  inputs  for  the  asset  or  liability  that  are  not  based  on  observable  market  data 
(unobservable inputs). 

The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash, receivables and other assets, trade payables 
and accrued liabilities, amounts owing against the 2021 Facility, if any, and the amounts due to its 
exploration partner. Other than for the amounts due to its exploration partner, the carrying values 
of the Company’s financial instruments are considered to be reasonable approximations of fair value 
due to their short-term nature. For amounts due to its exploration partner, the Company revalues 
the  liability  from  time  to  time  based  on  revisions  to  the  timing  and  amounts  of  expected  future 
settlement,  which  the  Company  believes  is  a  reasonable  approximation  of  fair  value.  Between 
revaluations, the liability is accreted.  

As at December 31, 2021, the Company’s financial instruments are exposed to the following financial 
risks, including credit, liquidity and currency risks: 

(i) 

(ii) 

Credit risks associated with cash is minimal as the Company deposits the majority of its cash 
with a large Canadian financial institution that has been accorded a strong investment grade 
rating by a primary rating agency.  

Liquidity risks associated with the inability to meet obligations as they become due is minimized 
through the management of its capital structure as explained on Note 16 and by maintaining 
good relationships with significant shareholders and creditors, such as Zebra and Lorito. The 
Company also closely monitors and reviews its costs to date and actual cash flows on a monthly 
basis.  

The maturities of the Company’s financial liabilities as at December 31, 2021 are as follows: 

Total 

Less than 
1 year 

1-5 
years 

More than 
5 years 

Accounts payable and  
    accrued liabilities 
Due to exploration partner 

Total 

1,955,817 
4,324,641 

1,955,817 
- 

6,280,458 

1,955,817 

- 
- 

- 

- 
4,324,641 

4,324,641 

25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NGEx Minerals Ltd. 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) 

In  accordance with  the terms  of a JEA between the Company and the  partner,  NCR, the 
Company has elected to settle the Obligation through funding NCR’s share of exploration 
expenditures, which remained US$3.4 million as at December 31, 2021, and has no defined 
timeline  for  settlement.  The  Obligation  has  been  discounted  and  recorded  at  its  present 
value at an annual effective rate of 8%. 

(iii) 

Foreign  currency  risk  can  arise  when  the  Company  or  its  subsidiaries  transact  or  have  net 
financial assets or liabilities which are denominated in currencies other than their respective 
functional currencies. 

At December 31, 2021, the Company’s largest foreign currency risk exposure existed at the 
level  of  its  Canadian  headquarters,  where  the  Company  held  a  net  financial  asset  position 
denominated in US dollars having a Canadian dollar equivalent of approximately $341,000. A 
10% change in the  foreign exchange rate between the US dollar, and the  Canadian dollar, 
NGEx Minerals’ functional currency, would give rise to increases/decreases of approximately 
$34,000 in financial position/comprehensive loss. 

18. SUBSEQUENT EVENT 

On  January  11,  2022,  the  Company  granted  a  total  of  1,760,000  share  options  to  officers, 
employees, directors and other eligible persons at an exercise price of $1.65 per share. The stock 
options are exercisable, subject to vesting provisions, over a period of five years. 

26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NGEX Minerals Corporate Directory 

Company Head Office 
Suite 2000 - 885 West Georgia Street 
Vancouver, BC 
V6C 3E8 Canada 
Phone: +1 604 689 7842 
Fax: +1 604 689 4250 

Auditors 
Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP 
Vancouver, BC 
Canada 

Registered and Records Office 
2200-885 West Georgia Street 
Vancouver, BC 
V6C 3E8 Canada 

Registrar and Transfer Agent 
Computershare Trust Company of Canada 
Vancouver, BC 
Canada 
Phone: +1 604 661 9400 

Officers 
Wojtek Wodzicki, President and CEO  
Jeff Yip, Chief Financial Officer  
Bob Carmichael, Vice President Exploration 
Judy McCall, Corporate Secretary 

Company Information 
Amanda Strong 
Investor Relations 
Email: info@ngexminerals.com 
Phone: +1 604 689 7842 

Solicitors 
Cassels Brock 
Vancouver, BC 
Canada 

Directors 
William Rand (Chairman) 
Wojtek Wodzicki  
Adam I. Lundin 
David Mullen 
Cheri Pedersen 
Neil O’Brien 

Share Listing 
TSXV: NGEX 
CUSIP: 65343P103