Trilogy Metals Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2018 Financial Results
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News Release
Trilogy Metals Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2018 Financial Results
October 5, 201 8 - Vancouver, British Columbia – Trilogy Metals Inc. (TSX / NYSE
American: TMQ) (“Trilogy”, "Trilogy Metals” or "the Company”) is pleased to report its third
quarter results for the period ended August 31, 2018. Details of the Company's financial
results are contained in the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements and
Management's Discussion and Analysis which will be available on the C ompany's website at
www.trilogymetals.com, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec. gov. All
amounts are in United States dollars unless otherwise stated.
Third Quarter 2018 Highlights:
• Strong cash position of $30.5 million and working capital of $27.2 million.
• On June 5, 2018 the Company announced a maiden cobalt resource of 182.4 million
tonnes grading 0.019% Co for 77 million pounds of inferred resources (see Table 1 for
details).
• On July 20, 2018 the Company announced the filing of an updated technical report for
the Bornite Project incorporating the cobalt resource and updates from the 2017 dr ill
program at the Bornite Project.
• On August 23, 2018 the Company announced an expansion of the Bornite drilling
program, with its partner, South32 Limited (ASX, LSE, JSE: S32; ADR: SOUHY)
(“South32”), funding an additional $800,000 for the Company to add two drill rigs,
which have subsequently completely four holes totaling approximately 2,170 meters.
The 2018 program and budget at the Bornite Project which was originally $10 million, includes
in-fill and off -set drilling to better define and expand the high -grade copper resources at
Bornite, was increased during the quarter to $10.8 million with a focus on adding additional
drilling towards the end of the field program. Camp opened during mid-May and a seismic
program was completed in early June. Results from the seismic program have now been
received and the technical teams at the Company and South32 intend to meet later this year
to review and analyze the information collected.
Three drill rigs started up in June to complete a planned field program of approximately 8,000
meters of drilling. Two drill rigs were added towards the end of the field season for an
additional 2,170 meters of drilling. Initial assay results from hole RC18-0247 were released
in a press release dated August 23, 2018 with results from the remainder of the drilling
program anticipated to be released throughout the fall. Drilling at the Bornite Project
completed on September 19, 2018.
The 2018 program and budget at the Arctic Project of $6.7 million includes the work
performed to date on the Arctic PFS and work to advance the Arctic Project towards feasibility
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and permitting. In May 2018, the Company completed an ore sorting test at the Steine rt
facility in Walton, Kentucky and a summary report has been received from Steinert. The
Company and Ausenco are reviewing operating and capital cost implications of incorporating
ore sorting into the overall design to decide if ore sorting will be inclu ded into the final
feasibility design or not. Results from this review are expected by the end of the year. One
drill started up in June at Arctic to collect feasibility level geotechnical and hydrological data
for the tailings dam and waste storage facility sites identified in the Arctic PFS. Approximately
695 meters of geotechnical and hydrological drilling was completed. Engineering studies are
planned to include additional metallurgical, tailings and waste dump design, water treatment
and water bala nce studies to support permitting and the feasibility study . In addition, w e
continue to collect baseline environmental data on hydrology, meteorology and archeology.
We are preparing for the submission of permits for the Arctic mine in 2019.
We will be continuing to work closely with The Alaska Industrial Development and Export
Authority (“AIDEA”) (the proponent for the Ambler Mining District Industrial Access Project
(“AMDIAP”)) to advance the permitting process on the AMDIAP throughout 2018. On April
30, 2018 the Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) released the Ambler Road Environmental
Impact Statement Scoping Summary Report. Permitting of the AMDIAP under the National
Environmental Policy Act ’s Environmental Impact Statement (“EIS”) process has now
concluded the “Scoping Phase” of permitting and has moved to the “Draft EIS Phase”. Per
the BLM’s website, the Draft EIS is scheduled to be released for public comment by the end
of March 2019.
Selected Results
The following selected financial information is prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
in thousands of dollars,
except for per share amounts
Three months ended Nine months ended
Selected expenses August 31,
2018
$
August 31,
2017
$
August 31,
2018
$
August 31,
2017
$
General and administrative 376 273 1,175 1,050
Mineral properties expense 9,051 8,471 12,657 10,407
Professional fees 13 86 286 404
Salaries 286 218 738 683
Salaries – stock-based compensation 204 104 1,277 603
Investor relations 59 107 261 263
Loss and comprehensive loss for the
period
9,920 8,992 16,530 14,378
Basic and diluted loss per common
share
$0.08 $0.09 $0.14 $0.14
For the three months ended August 31, 2018, Trilogy reported a net loss of $9.9 million (or
$0.08 basic and diluted loss per common share) compared to a net loss of $9.0 million for the
corresponding period in 2017 (or $0.09 basic and diluted loss per comm on share). This
variance was primarily due to the difference in mineral properties expense due to the size and
timing of the field programs. An increase of $0.6 million of mineral property expenses
occurred during the three months ended August 31, 2018 co mpared to the three months
ended August 31, 2017.
Other differences noted for the comparable periods were i) an increase in general and
administrative expenses to support the increased field program at the UKMP; ii) a slight
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decrease in professional fee s as legal fees associated with an equity financing in the second
quarter have all been capitalized under share issue costs; iii) an increase in salaries and stock-
based compensation due to new hires in the quarter as well as the granting of additional stock
options; and iv) a decrease in investor relations expenses as costs associated with the analyst
tours of the projects have been captured under general and administrative expenses.
The basic and diluted loss per common share of $0.08 for the three months ended August 31,
2018 has decreased from the basic and diluted loss per common share of $0.09 for the three
months ended August 31, 2017 due primarily by the activities affecting the loss for the period
as described above, offset by an increase in the w eighted average number of shares
outstanding for the three months ended August 31, 2018.
For the nine months ended August 31, 2018, Trilogy reported a net loss of $16.5 million (or
$0.14 basic and diluted loss per common share) compared to a net loss of $14.4 million for
the corresponding period in 2017 (or $0.14 basic and diluted loss per common share). This
variance was primarily due to the increased activity level at our projects which are recorded
as mineral properties expense. An increase of $2.3 m illion of mineral property expenses
occurred during the nine months ended August 31, 2018 compared to the nine months ended
August 31, 2017 due to the work performed for the Arctic PFS in 2018 with no comparable
activity in 2017. Similar to the activity l evels for the three months ended August 31, 2018,
other differences noted relate to i) a small increase in general and administrative expenses;
ii) a decrease in professional fees as legal costs related to the financing completed on April
20, 2018 are reco rded as issuance costs in shareholders equity; iii) and a slight increase in
salaries due to new hires as well as a significant increase in stock based compensation due to
the accelerated amortization of new options that were granted during the nine month period
ended August 31, 2018.
The basic and diluted loss per common share of $0.14 for the nine months ended August 31,
2018 is consistent with the basic and diluted loss per common share of $0.14 for the nine
months ended August 31, 2017. The operating activities increasing the loss as described
above have been offset by the dilutive effect of an increase in the weighted average number
of shares outstanding for the nine months ended August 31, 2018.
Bornite Project
On June 5, 2018 the Company announced a maiden cobalt resource with the following
highlights:
• At a base case 0.50% copper cut -off grade, and within the combined Indicated and
Inferred Cu resource pit shell, the Bornite Project is estimated to contain in-pit Inferred
Resources of 124.6 millio n tonnes grading 0.017% Co for 45 million pounds of
contained cobalt (see Table 1 for details).
• Below the resource limiting pit shell and at a base case cut-off grade of 1.5% copper,
the Bornite Project is estimated to contain additional Inferred Resources of 57.8 million
tonnes grading 0.025% Co for 32 million pounds of contained cobalt.
• Total Inferred Resources (in-pit and below-pit) of 182.4 million tonnes grading 0.019%
Co for 77 million pounds of contained cobalt (see Table 1 for details).
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Table 1: Estimate of Cobalt Mineral Resources for the Bornite Deposit
Type Cut-off
(Cu%)
Tonnes
(million)
Average Grade
Co (%)
Contained Metal
Co (Mlbs)
In-Pit 0.5 124.6 0.017 45
Below-Pit 1.5 57.8 0.025 32
Total Inferred 182.4 0.019 77
(1) Resources stated as contained within a pit shell developed using a metal price of US$3.00/lb
Cu, mining costs of US$2.00/tonne, milling costs of US$11/tonne, G&A cost of US$5.00/tonne,
87% metallurgical recoveries and an average pit slope of 43 degrees.
(2) Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.
There is no certainty that all or any part of the Mineral Resources will be converted into
Mineral Reserves.
(3) It is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred mineral resources could be upgraded to
Indicated mineral resources with additional exploration.
(4) See “Cautionary Note to United States Investors”.
Qualified Persons
Andrew W. West, Certified Professional Geologist, Exploration Manager for Trilogy Metals Inc.,
is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43 -101. Mr. West has reviewed the
technical information in this news release and approves the disclosure contained herein.
About Trilogy Metals
Trilogy Metals Inc. is a metals exploration company focused on exploring and developing the
Ambler mining district located in northwestern Alaska. It is one of the richest and most -
prospective known copper -dominant districts located in one of the safest geopolitical
jurisdictions in the world. It hosts world-class polymetallic VMS deposits that contain copper,
zinc, lead, gold and silver, and carbonate replacement deposits which have been found to
host high grade copper mineralization. Exploration efforts have been focused on two deposits
in the Ambler mining district - the Arctic VMS deposit and the Bornite carbonate replacement
deposit. Both deposits are located within the Company's land package that spans
approximately 143,000 hectares. The Company has an agreement with NANA Regional
Corporation, Inc., a Regional Alaska Native Corporation that provides a framework for the
exploration and potential development of the Ambler mining district in cooperation with local
communities. Our vision is to develop the Ambler mining district into a premier North
American copper producer.
Company Contacts
Patrick Donnelly
Vice President, Corporate Communications & Development
604-630-3569
604-638-8088 or 1-855-638-8088
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# # #
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes certain "forward -looking information” and "forward -looking statements”
(collectively "forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States
securities legislation in cluding the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All
statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including, without limitation, the
estimation of mineral reserves and mineral resources, the realization of mineral reserve and mineral
resource estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future production, the future price of copper,
costs of production, capital expenditures, costs and timing of the development of projects, the likelihood
and timing of th e AMDIAP, the potential future development of the Bornite and Arctic Projects (the
“UKMP Projects”), the future operating or financial performance of the Company, planned expenditures
and the anticipated activity at the UKMP Projects, are forward -looking statements. Forward -looking
statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects”, "anticipates”,
"believes”, "intends”, "estimates”, "potential”, "possible”, and similar expressions, or statements that
events, conditions, or results "will”, "may”, "could”, or "should” occur or be achieved. These forward -
looking statements may include statements regarding perceived merit of properties; exploration plans
and budgets; mineral reserves and resource estimates; work programs; capital expenditures; timelines;
strategic plans; market prices for precious and base metals; or other statements that are not statements
of fact. Forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance
that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ
materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results
to diff er materially from the Company's expectations include the uncertainties involving success of
exploration, development and mining activities, permitting timelines, requirements for additional capital,
government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses;
mineral reserve and resource estimates and the assumptions upon which they are based; assumptions
and discount rates being appropriately applied to the PFS; our assumptions with respect to the likelihood
and timing of the AMDIAP; capital estimates; prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and
services the interpretation of drill results, the need for additional financing to explore and develop
properties and availability of financing in the debt and capital markets; uncertainties involved in the
interpretation of drilling results and geological tests and the estimation of reserves and resources; the
need for cooperation of government agencies and native groups in the development and operation of
properties as well as the construction of the access road; the need to obtain permits and governmental
approvals; risks of construction and mining projects such as accidents, equipment breakdowns, bad
weather, non -compliance with environmental and permit requir ements, unanticipated variation in
geological structures, metal grades or recovery rates; unexpected cost increases, which could include
significant increases in estimated capital and operating costs; fluctuations in metal prices and currency
exchange rates; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended November 30, 2017 filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and
with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and in other Company reports
and documents filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time. The Company's
forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are
made. The Company as sumes no obligation to update the forward -looking statements or beliefs,
opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.
Non-GAAP Performance Measures
Some of the financial measures referenced in this press release are non-GAAP performance measures.
We have not reconciled forward -looking full year non -GAAP performance measures contained in this
news release to their most directly comparable GAAP measures, as permitted by Item 10(e)(1)(i)(B) of
Regulation S-K. Such r econciliations would require unreasonable efforts at this time to estimate and
quantify with a reasonable degree of certainty various necessary GAAP components, including for
example those related to future production costs, realized sales prices and the t iming of such sales,
timing and amounts of capital expenditures, metal recoveries, and corporate general and administrative
amounts and timing, or others that may arise during the year. These components and other factors
could materially impact the amount of the future directly comparable GAAP measures, which may differ
significantly from their non-GAAP counterparts.
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Cautionary Note to United States Investors
This press release has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect
in Canada, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. Unless otherwise indicated, all
resource and reserve estimates included in this press release have been prepared in accordance with
Canadian National Instrument 43 -101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ( “NI 43-101”) and
the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM)—CIM Definition Standards on Mineral
Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council, as amended (“CIM Definition Standards”).
NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators which establishes standards
for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral
projects. Canadian standards, including NI 43-101, differ significantly from the requirements of the SEC,
and resource and reserve information contained herein may not be comparable to similar information
disclosed by U.S. companies. In particular, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term
"resource” does not equate to the term "reserves ”. Under U.S. standards, mineralization may not be
classified as a "reserve ” unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be
economically and legally produced or extracted at th e time the reserve determination. Guide 7 does
not define and the SEC’s disclosure standards normally do not permit the inclusion of information
concerning “measured mineral resources”, “indicated mineral resources” or “inferred mineral resources”
or other d escriptions of the amount of mineralization in mineral deposits that do not constitute
“reserves” by U.S. standards in documents filed with the SEC. U.S. investors should also understand
that “inferred mineral resources” have a great amount of uncertainty as to their economic and legal
feasibility. Under Canadian rules, subject to certain exceptions, estimated “inferred mineral resources”
may not form the basis of feasibility or pre -feasibility studies. Investors are cautioned not to assume
that all or any part of an “inferred mineral resource” exists or is economically or legally mineable.
Disclosure of “contained ounces” in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations;
however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute
“reserves” by SEC standards as in -place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. The
requirements of NI 43 -101 for identification of “reserves” are also not the same as those of the SEC,
and any reserves reported by us in the future in compliance with NI 43-101 may not qualify as “reserves”
under SEC standards. Accordingly, information concerning mineral deposits set forth herein may not be
comparable to information made public by companies that report in accordance wi th United States
standards. Accordingly, information concerning mineral deposits set forth herein may not be to similar
information made public by United States companies subject to reporting and disclosure requirements
under United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.