Public companies are required to disclose risks that can affect the business and impact the stock. These disclosures are known as “Risk Factors”. Companies disclose these risks in their yearly (Form 10-K), quarterly earnings (Form 10-Q), or “foreign private issuer” reports (Form 20-F). Risk factors show the challenges a company faces. Investors can consider the worst-case scenarios before making an investment. TipRanks’ Risk Analysis categorizes risks based on proprietary classification algorithms and machine learning.
Tanzanian Royalty Exploration disclosed 35 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Tanzanian Royalty Exploration reported the most risks in the “Finance & Corporate” category.
Risk Overview Q3, 2019
Risk Distribution
31% Finance & Corporate
31% Production
23% Legal & Regulatory
6% Ability to Sell
6% Macro & Political
3% Tech & Innovation
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
This chart displays the stock's most recent risk distribution according to category. TipRanks has identified 6 major categories: Finance & corporate, legal & regulatory, macro & political, production, tech & innovation, and ability to sell.
Risk Change Over Time
S&P500 Average
Sector Average
Risks removed
Risks added
Risks changed
Tanzanian Royalty Exploration Risk Factors
New Risk (0)
Risk Changed (0)
Risk Removed (0)
No changes from previous report
The chart shows the number of risks a company has disclosed. You can compare this to the sector average or S&P 500 average.
The quarters shown in the chart are according to the calendar year (January to December). Businesses set their own financial calendar, known as a fiscal year. For example, Walmart ends their financial year at the end of January to accommodate the holiday season.
Risk Highlights Q3, 2019
Main Risk Category
Finance & Corporate
With 11 Risks
Finance & Corporate
With 11 Risks
Number of Disclosed Risks
35
+1
From last report
S&P 500 Average: 31
35
+1
From last report
S&P 500 Average: 31
Recent Changes
3Risks added
2Risks removed
5Risks changed
Since Aug 2019
3Risks added
2Risks removed
5Risks changed
Since Aug 2019
Number of Risk Changed
5
-1
From last report
S&P 500 Average: 2
5
-1
From last report
S&P 500 Average: 2
See the risk highlights of Tanzanian Royalty Exploration in the last period.
Risk Word Cloud
The most common phrases about risk factors from the most recent report. Larger texts indicate more widely used phrases.
Risk Factors Full Breakdown - Total Risks 35
Finance & Corporate
Total Risks: 11/35 (31%)Below Sector Average
Share Price & Shareholder Rights5 | 14.3%
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1
Changed
Offers or availability for sale of a substantial number of common shares may cause the price of the Company's common shares to decline.
In the future, in connection with current and future financings, the Company could have sales of a significant number of its common shares in the public market which could harm the market price of its common shares and make it more difficult for the Company to raise funds through future offerings of common shares. The Company's shareholders may sell substantial amounts of its common shares in the public market. The availability of these common shares for resale in the public market has the potential to cause the supply of its common shares to exceed investor demand, thereby decreasing the price of the common shares.
In addition, the fact that the Company's shareholders can sell substantial amounts of its common shares in the public market, whether or not sales have occurred or are occurring, could make it more difficult for the Company to raise additional financing through the sale of equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and price that it deems reasonable or appropriate.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 2
Changed
The Company's common shares must meet the requirements of the NYSE American.
The NYSE American rules provides that the NYSE American may, in its discretion, at any time, and without notice, suspend dealings in or remove any security from listing or unlisted trading privileges, if, among other things, where the financial condition and/or operating results of the issuer appear to be unsatisfactory or it appears that the extent of public distribution or the aggregate market value of the security has become so reduced as to make further dealings on the NYSE American inadvisable. Although the Company has received no indication or notification that its common shares may be delisted, in light of the current per common share price and the Company's financial losses, there is no assurance that the Company's common shares will continue to be listed on the NYSE American.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 3
Substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.
Based on the Company's current funding sources and taking into account the working capital position and capital requirements at August 31, 2019, these factors indicate the existence of a material uncertainty that raises substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern and is dependent on the Company raising additional debt or equity financing. The Company must obtain additional funding in fiscal 2019 in order to continue development and construction of the Buckreef Project. Furthermore, the Company is currently negotiating project financing terms with a number of lending institutions, which the Company believes will result in the Company obtaining the project financing required to fund the construction of a mill at the Buckreef Project. However there is no assurance that such additional funding and/or project financing will be obtained or obtained on commercially favourable terms.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 4
U.S. investors may not be able to obtain enforcement of civil liabilities against the Company.
The enforcement by investors of civil liabilities under the United States federal or state securities laws may be affected adversely by the fact that the Company is governed by the Business Corporations Act (Alberta), that the some of the Company's officers and directors are residents of Canada or otherwise reside outside the United States, and that all, or a substantial portion of their assets and a substantial portion of the Company's assets, are located outside the United States. It may not be possible for investors to effect service of process within the United States on certain of the Company's directors and officers or enforce judgments obtained in the United States courts against the Company, certain of its directors and officers based upon the civil liability provisions of United States federal securities laws or the securities laws of any state of the United States.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 5
Common share prices will likely be highly volatile, and your investment could decline in value or be lost entirely.
The market price of the common shares is likely to be highly volatile and may fluctuate significantly in response to various factors and events, many of which the Company cannot control. The stock market in general, and the market for mining company stocks in particular, has historically experienced significant price and volume fluctuations. Volatility in the market price for a particular issuer's securities has often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of that issuer. Market and industry factors may depress the market price of the Company's securities, regardless of operating performance. Volatility in the Company's securities price also increases the risk of securities class action litigation.
Accounting & Financial Operations2 | 5.7%
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 1
The Company has incurred net losses since its inception and expects losses to continue.
The Company has not been profitable since its inception. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019, the Company had a comprehensive loss of $29,317,517, and an accumulated deficit of $132,462,683. The Company has never generated revenues and does not expect to generate revenues until one of its properties are placed in production. There is a risk that none of the Company's properties will be placed into production.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 2
Added
As of August 31, 2019, our internal control over financial reporting were ineffective, and if we continue to fail to improve such controls and procedures, investors could lose confidence in our financial and other reports, the price of our shares of common stock may decline, and we may be subject to increased risks and liabilities.
As a public company, we are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The Exchange Act requires, among other things, that we file annual reports with respect to our business and financial condition. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we include a report of our management on our internal control over financial reporting. We are also required to include certifications of our management regarding the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures. For the year ended August 31, 2019, our management has concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting were ineffective due to the following material weaknesses: (i) review and approval of certain supplier and vendor invoices and the related oversight and accuracy of recording the associated charges in the Company's books; and (ii) lack of adequate oversight related to the development and performance of internal controls. . , We intend to implement changes and procedures to address these issues; any proposed changes to address the material weaknesses will take time to implement due to, among other things, a limited number of staff at the Company. If we cannot effectively and efficiently improve our controls and procedures, we could suffer material misstatements in our financial statements and other information we report and fail to meet our reporting obligations, which would likely cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial and other information. This could lead to a decline in the trading price of our common shares.
Debt & Financing4 | 11.4%
Debt & Financing - Risk 1
Changed
The Company has issued a number of gold and cash loans which at the option of holder are convertible into common shares, may be repaid through the issuance of gold, are secured by the Company's assets and may be subject to annual renewal.
To finance the Company's operations and prior exploration, as of August 31, 2019, the Company has issued $6,927,371 loans in the aggregate. Of this amount, $4,998,127 was in the form of gold bullion loans. The principal and interest on the gold bullion loans may be, at the election of the holder, repaid in cash, gold bullion or convertible into common shares. In the event the gold loan holder elects repayment in gold bullion and the Company does not have the gold bullion, it may be required to purchase gold bullion on the open market in order to repay the loans. As a result, the Company may be at risk in the event the price of gold increases and the Company is required to purchase gold bullion to repay the loan. Further, the holders of the gold bullion loans may elect to convert the principal and interest of such loans into common shares at exercise prices ranging from US$0.26 and US$0.5320 per share, which has the effect of diluting the ownership of existing shareholders.
In addition, as of August 31, 2019, the Company has issued $1,929,244 in convertible loans. The principal and interest on the convertible loans may be, at the election of the holder, repaid in cash or convertible into our common shares at exercise prices ranging from US$0.26 to US$0.3446 per share. In the event that the holder of the convertible loans elects to convert the principal and interest of such loans into common shares, such conversion will have the effect of diluting the ownership of existing shareholders.
Further, the gold and cash loans are secured by certain assets of the Company, including its CIL plant, pad loadings, gold on pads, gold in form of dore, gold in plan process and gold at refinery. In the event of default, the Company may lose its rights to these assets which could adversely affect its operations.
Finally, these loans are subject to annual renewal. Although many of these holders of loan have renewed the loans on an annual basis, no assurance can be given they will continue to annually renew the loans.
Debt & Financing - Risk 2
The Company has no cash flow from operations and has historically depended on the proceeds from equity financings for its operations.
The Company's current operations do not generate any revenues or cash flow. Any work on the Company's properties will require additional equity financing. If the Company seeks funding from existing or new joint venture partners, its project interests will be diluted. If the Company seeks additional equity financing, the issuance of additional shares will dilute the current interests of the Company's current shareholders. The Company may not be able to obtain additional funding to allow the Company to fulfill its obligations on existing exploration properties. The Company's failure to obtain such additional financing could result in delay or indefinite postponement of further exploration and development and the possible partial or total loss of the Company's potential interest in certain properties or dilution of the Company's interest in certain properties.
Debt & Financing - Risk 3
The Company may be characterized as a passive foreign investment company.
The Company may be characterized as a passive foreign investment company ("PFIC"). If the Company is determined to be a PFIC, its U.S. shareholders may suffer adverse tax consequences. Under the PFIC rules, for any taxable year that the Company's passive income or its assets that produce passive income exceed specified levels, the Company will be characterized as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. This characterization could result in adverse U.S. tax consequences for the Company's U.S. shareholders, which may include having certain distributions on its common shares and gains realized on the sale of its common shares treated as ordinary income, rather than as capital gains income, and having potentially punitive interest charges apply to the proceeds of sales of the Company's common shares and certain distributions.
Certain elections may be made to reduce or eliminate the adverse impact of the PFIC rules for holders of the Company's common shares, but these elections may be detrimental to the shareholder under certain circumstances. The PFIC rules are extremely complex and U.S. investors are urged to consult independent tax advisers regarding the potential consequences to them of the Company's classification as a PFIC. See "Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations."
Debt & Financing - Risk 4
The Company needs additional capital.
As at August 31, 2019, the Company had cash of approximately $3,389,319 and working capital deficiency of approximately $9,095,970. The Company will continue to incur exploration and development costs to fund its plan of operations and will need to raise capital to build a mining plant at the Buckreef Project. Ultimately, the Company's ability to continue its exploration activities depends in part on the Company's ability to commence operations and generate revenues or to obtain financing through joint ventures, debt financing, equity financing, production sharing agreements or some combination of these or other means. Further the raising of additional capital by the Company may dilute existing shareholders. Traditionally, the Company has relied on issuing equity securities and debt securities that may be converted into equity securities to raise capital. No assurance can be given that the Company can continue to raise capital in this manner. Further, the issuance of equity securities or debt securities that may be convertible into equity securities will have a dilutive effect.
Production
Total Risks: 11/35 (31%)Above Sector Average
Manufacturing6 | 17.1%
Manufacturing - Risk 1
The Company cannot accurately predict whether commercial quantities of ores as estimated or projected in the pre-feasibility study will be established once commercial production commences.
Whether an ore body will be commercially viable depends on a number of factors beyond the control of the Company, including the particular attributes of the deposit such as size, grade and proximity to infrastructure, as well as mineral prices and government regulations, including regulations relating to permitting, prices, taxes, royalties, land tenure, land use, importing and exporting of minerals and environmental protection. The Company cannot accurately predict the exact effect of these factors, but the combination of these factors may result in a mineral deposit being unprofitable. The Company has no mineral producing properties at this time. Although the mineral resource estimates included herein have been prepared by the Company, or, in some instances have been prepared, reviewed or verified by independent mining experts, these amounts are estimates only and there is a risk that a particular level of recovery of gold or other minerals from mineral resource will not in fact be realized or that an identified mineralized deposit, if any, will never qualify as a commercially mineable or viable reserve.
Manufacturing - Risk 2
The exploration for and development of mineral deposits involves significant risks.
Mineral resource exploration is a speculative business and involves a high degree of risk. The Company has completed several diamond and reverse circulation drilling programs on the Buckreef Project and independent qualified persons have reviewed the results of the drilling program in the context of analyzing the economic significance of the open-pittable mineral resources at the Buckreef Project using current gold prices. However, the exploration for and development of mineral deposits involves significant risks, which even a combination of careful evaluation, experience and knowledge may not eliminate. Significant expenditures will be required to locate further and/or upgrade mineral resources from inferred category to measured and Indicated category, to revise and/or upgrade the recently established mineral reserves, to develop metallurgical processes, to purchase, construct and run a test 60tph pilot process plant and to finalize on a bankable feasibility study to construct mining and processing facilities at the Buckreef Project site.
Manufacturing - Risk 3
The Company may not be able to establish the presence of minerals on a commercially viable basis.
The Company's ability to generate revenues and profits, if any, is expected to occur through exploration and development of its existing properties as well as through acquisitions of interests in new properties. The Company will need to incur substantial expenditures in an attempt to establish the economic feasibility of mining operations by identifying mineral deposits and establishing ore reserves through drilling and other techniques, developing metallurgical processes to extract metals from ore, designing facilities and planning mining operations. The economic feasibility of a project depends on numerous factors beyond the Company's control, including the cost of mining and production facilities required to extract the desired minerals, the total mineral deposits that can be mined using a given facility, the proximity of the mineral deposits to a user of the minerals, and the market price of the minerals at the time of sale. The Company's existing or future exploration programs or acquisitions may not result in the identification of deposits that can be mined profitably.
Manufacturing - Risk 4
The Company's exploration activities are highly speculative and involve substantial risks.
With the exception of one project, the Buckreef Project, all of the other Company's properties are in the exploration stage and no proven mineral reserves have been established. The Company's exploration work may not result in the discovery of mineable deposits of ore in a commercially economical manner. There may be limited availability of water, which is essential to milling operations, and interruptions may be caused by adverse weather conditions. The Company's future operations, if any, are subject to a variety of existing laws and regulations relating to exploration and development, permitting procedures, safety precautions, property reclamation, employee health and safety, air quality standards, pollution and other environmental protection controls.
Manufacturing - Risk 5
If the Company experiences mining accidents or other adverse conditions, the Company's mining operations could be materially adversely affected.
The Company's exploration activities may be interrupted by any or all of the following mining accidents such as cave-ins, rock falls, rock bursts, pit wall failures, fires or flooding. In addition, exploration activities may be reduced if unfavorable weather conditions, ground conditions or seismic activity are encountered, ore grades are lower than expected, the physical or metallurgical characteristics of the ore are less amenable than expected to mining or treatment, dilution increases or electrical power is interrupted. Occurrences of this nature and other accidents, adverse conditions or operational problems in future years may result in the Company's failure to achieve current or future exploration and production estimates.
Manufacturing - Risk 6
Development of the Company's projects is based on estimates and the Company cannot guarantee that its projects, if any, will be placed into production.
Any potential production and revenues based on production from any of the Company's properties are estimates only. Estimates are based on, among other things, mining experience, resource estimates, assumptions regarding ground conditions and physical characteristics of ores (such as hardness and presence or absence of certain metallurgical characteristics) and estimated rates and costs of mining and processing. The Company's actual production from the Buckreef Project, if it ever achieves production, may be lower than its production estimates. Each of these factors also applies to future development properties not yet in production at the Company's other projects. In the case of mines the Company may develop in the future, it does not have the benefit of actual experience in its estimates, and there is a greater likelihood that the actual results will vary from the estimates. In addition, development and expansion projects are subject to unexpected construction and start-up problems and delays.
Employment / Personnel2 | 5.7%
Employment / Personnel - Risk 1
The Company depends on key management personnel.
The success of the operations and activities of the Company is dependent to a significant extent on the efforts and abilities of its management, including James E. Sinclair, Executive Chairman. Investors must be willing to rely to a significant extent on their discretion and judgment. The Company does not have an employment contract with the Executive Chairman. The Company does not maintain key-man life insurance on the Executive Chairman.
Employment / Personnel - Risk 2
The Company depends on consultants and engineers for its exploration programs.
The Company has relied on and may continue to rely upon consultants for exploration development, construction and operating expertise. Substantial expenditures are required to construct mines, to establish ore reserves through drilling, to carry out environmental and social impact assessments, to develop metallurgical processes to extract the metal from the ore and, in the case of new properties, to develop the exploration infrastructure at any site chosen for exploration. The Company may not be able to discover minerals in sufficient quantities to justify commercial operation, and the Company may not be able to obtain funds required for exploration on a timely basis.
Costs3 | 8.6%
Costs - Risk 1
The Company has uninsurable risks.
The Company may be subject to unforeseen hazards such as unusual or unexpected formations and other conditions. The Company may become subject to liability for pollution, cave-ins or hazards against which it cannot insure or against which it may elect not to insure. The payment of such liabilities may have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position.
Costs - Risk 2
Added
The Company has not paid all annual license fees on its properties and it may be subject to penalties.
In order to maintain the existing site of mining and exploration licenses, the Company is required to pay annual license fees. The Company has been making efforts to pay off certain of its outstanding annual license fees since October 2014 for all its active licenses. The Ministry of Mines has put into effect a requirement that even though a license is forfeited, the outstanding annual fees are still due and considered a liability. As at August 31, 2019, an accrual of $707,000 (August 31, 2018 - $260,000) has been recorded relating to unpaid license fees. For active licenses, these licenses remain in good standing until a letter of demand is received from Ministry of Mines requesting payment of any unpaid license fees plus 50% penalty, and the Company fails to respond within 30 days. The Company has not received a letter of demand from the Ministry of Mines on its active licenses. The current penalty estimate relating to unpaid license fees is approximately $219,000 (August 31, 2018 - $125,000). The Company has not recorded an accrual for all valid and active mining licenses but only from the forfeited licenses list as stated above.
Costs - Risk 3
The Company is subject to the volatility of metal and mineral prices.
The economics of developing metal and mineral properties are affected by many factors beyond the Company's control, including, without limitation, the cost of operations, variations in the grade ore or resource mined, and the price of such resources. The market prices of the metals for which the Company is exploring are highly speculative and volatile. Depending on the price of gold or other resources, the Company may determine that it is impractical to commence or continue commercial production. Gold prices fluctuate widely and are affected by numerous factors beyond the Company's control, including central bank purchases and sales, producer hedging and de-hedging activities, expectations of inflation, the relative exchange rate of the U.S. dollar with other major currencies, interest rates, global and regional demand, political and economic conditions, production costs in major gold-producing regions, speculative positions taken by investors or traders in gold and changes in supply, including worldwide production levels. The price of gold and other metals and minerals may not remain stable, and such prices may not be at levels that will make it feasible to continue the Company's exploration activities, or commence or continue commercial production. The aggregate effect of these factors is impossible to predict with accuracy.
Legal & Regulatory
Total Risks: 8/35 (23%)Above Sector Average
Regulation3 | 8.6%
Regulation - Risk 1
Foreign corrupt practices legislation.
The Company is subject to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the "FCPA"), the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (Canada) ("CFPOA"), and other laws that prohibit improper payments or offers of payments to foreign governments and their officials and political parties by persons and issuers as defined by the statutes, for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. It is the Company's policy to implement safeguards to discourage these practices by its employees; however, its existing safeguards and any future improvements may prove to be less than effective and the Company's employees, consultants, sales agents or distributors may engage in conduct for which the Company might be held responsible. Any such violation could result in substantial fines, sanctions, civil and/or criminal penalties, curtailment of operations in certain jurisdictions, and might adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition. In addition, actual or alleged violations could damage our reputation and ability to do business. Furthermore, detecting, investigating, and resolving actual or alleged violations is expensive and could consume significant time and attention of our management.
Regulation - Risk 2
The Company's exploration activities are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations.
Laws and regulation govern the exploration, mining development, mine production, importing and exporting of minerals; taxes; labor standards; occupational health; waste disposal; protection of the environment; mine safety; toxic substances; and other matters. The Company requires licenses and permits to conduct exploration and mining operations. Amendments to current laws and regulations governing operations and activities of mining companies or more stringent implementation thereof could have a substantial adverse impact on the Company. Applicable laws and regulations will require the Company to make certain capital and operating expenditures to initiate new operations. Under certain circumstances, the Company may be required to close an operation once it is started until a particular problem is remedied or to undertake other remedial actions.
The Buckreef Project is held through a special mining license expiring June 11, 2027 granted pursuant to the Mining Act, 2010 (Tanzania). The Company's has other mineral interests in Tanzania that are held under prospecting licenses granted under that Act. There are initial application fees, registration fees, preparation fees and annual rental fees for prospecting licenses based on the total area of the license. Renewals of prospecting licenses can take many months and possibly even years to process by the regulatory authority in Tanzania and there is no guarantee that they will be granted. With each renewal at least 50% of the licensed area, if greater than 20 square kilometers, must be relinquished and if the Company wishes to keep the relinquished one-half portion, it must file a new application for the relinquished portion. There is no guarantee on the timing for processing the new application and whether it will be successful.
In addition, any new license (PL, ML & SML) applications and renewals are also now subject to the recently enacted of the Ministry of Mines Local Content Regulations GN 3 of 2018 that is enforced by the newly enacted and established 6-member Tanzanian Mining Commission that now oversees the Mining Commissioner and all license applications. The new regulations reflect a strong will to foster diversification and linkages to the local economy, create jobs through the use of Tanzanian expertise, goods and services, businesses and financing in the mining value chain. Not only does it force licensees and contractors to use indigenous Tanzanian companies for the procurement of goods and services, but also requires a physical presence in Tanzania.
Regulation - Risk 3
As a foreign private issuer, the Company is subject to different U.S. securities laws and rules than a domestic U.S. issuer, which may limit the information publicly available to U.S. shareholders.
The Company is a foreign private issuer under applicable U.S. federal securities laws. As a result, the Company does not file the same reports that a U.S. domestic issuer would file with the SEC, although the Company is required to file with or furnish to the SEC the continuous disclosure documents that the Company is required to file in Canada under Canadian securities laws. In addition, the Company's officers, directors, and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and "short swing" profit rules of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Therefore, shareholders may not know on as timely a basis when the Company's officers, directors and principal shareholders purchase or sell common shares, as the reporting dates under the corresponding Canadian insider reporting requirements are longer. In addition, as a foreign private issuer, the Company is exempt from the proxy rules under the Exchange Act.
Litigation & Legal Liabilities3 | 8.6%
Litigation & Legal Liabilities - Risk 1
The Company may not have clear title to its properties.
Acquisition of title to mineral properties is a very detailed and time-consuming process, and the Company's title to its properties may be affected by prior unregistered agreements or transfers, or undetected defects. Several of the Company's prospecting licenses are currently subject to renewal by the Ministry of Energy and Minerals of Tanzania. There is a risk that the Company may not have clear title to all its mineral property interests, their licenses may not be renewed or they may be subject to challenge or impugned in the future. See "Mineral Properties". In other instances, the Company might not have immediate access to some of its mineral properties due to the ever revolving statutory requirements and regulations as enacted by the Government of Tanzania and enforced by the various ministries.
During fiscal 2019, the Company received a notice of cancellation of mining license relating to the Kigosi mining license for failure to satisfy the issues raised in the default notice. The notice sent by the Ministry of Energy and Minerals of Tanzania did not follow due process under Tanzania law and the Company filed an appeal to this notification subsequent to fiscal year-end. Further, during fiscal 2019, the Company received a notice of rejection of the mining license application for Itetemia, for failure to have complied with certain regulations. The notice sent by the government did not follow due process under Tanzania law and the Company filed an appeal to this notification subsequent to year-end. The Company remains confident that they will be successful in the appeals. However, although the Company believes that it will be successful in appealing the notice of cancellation of the Kigosi mining license and appeal of notice of rejection of the mining license application for Itetemia, in the event the Company loses either appeal, the Company may lose its rights to either the Kigosi mining license or Itetemia mining license.
Litigation & Legal Liabilities - Risk 2
The Company's properties have been and may continue to be subject to illegal mining.
During 2015, illegal miners, consisting primarily of artisanal miners, invaded and forced occupation at the Buckreef Project. As a result, these illegal miners disrupted the Company's activities. As a result of these illegal miners' activities, the Company provided a notice of force majeure under its agreement with Stamico and did not allow Tanzam, the Company's joint venture operator, to continue mining activities at the Company's property until this issue was resolved. Although the Company worked out an agreement with Deputy Minister of Energy and Minerals to provide an area for artisanal mining, no assurance can be given that no more illegal mining activities will occur at the Company's properties or disrupt its operations. Recently, the Company has requested for and been provided with a police detail from the Ministry of Home Affairs, through the offices of the Inspector General of Police (Tanzania) permanently stationed and patrolling the Buckreef Project as further efforts by the Company to deter illegal Mining on the main project site.
During the fiscal year, there has been some attempted invasion in and around the Buckreef Project. The Company has requested and been granted the presence of Tanzanian police at the camp site and is negotiating a Memorandum of Understanding with the Tanzanian Inspector General Police, to have a permanent security detail from the police force.
Mining exploration, development and operating activities are inherently hazardous.
Litigation & Legal Liabilities - Risk 3
Changed
We are subject to litigation which could cause a dilutive effect to our shareholders and require us to incur legal expenses.
On January 19, 2018, Crede CG III, LTD ("Crede") filed suit against the Company in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, claiming, among other things, breach of contract for failure to allow Crede to exercise 1,300,000 Series A Warrants, as described in Note 5, to acquire 3,100,751 common shares. The Series A Warrants were issued, along with Series B Warrants (the Series A Warrants and Series B Warrants, collectively "Warrants), in connection with a Securities Purchase Agreement entered into on September 1, 2016. In response to the complaint, our attorneys initiated correspondence with Crede's attorneys regarding Crede's January 19, 2018 complaint. On February 27, 2018, Crede dismissed its complaint against us without prejudice. On March 12, 2018, Crede filed suit against us in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York (Index No. 651156/2018) ("State Claim"), claiming breach of contract (including specific performance and injunctive relief); declaratory judgment that the Securities Purchase Agreement and Warrants are binding obligations; and, in the event injunctive and declaratory relief is not ordered, awarding compensatory and punitive damages, and attorney fees and costs for failure to allow Crede to exercise 500,000 Series B Warrants to acquire 1,332,222 common shares. On August 21, 2019, we filed a notice of appeal and seeking a stay of the summary judgement order in the State Claim pending appeal. On October 17, 2019, the court in the State Claim order the delivery of 1,332,222 shares of common stock with an officer designated by the court and that a bond of US$200,000 be posted. We do not believe that the New York Supreme Court of the State of New York in the State Claim had the authority to require to post a bond in the amount US$200,000. Accordingly, we have appealed the Supreme Court of the State of New York's authority to require us to post a bond. In the event that we are required to post the US$200,000 and we are unable to do so, Crede will have right to sell the 1,332,222 common shares and to exercise its rights under the Securities Purchase Agreement notwithstanding our appeal. This potential right for Crede to sell its common shares and exercise its rights under the Securities Purchase Agreement could have detrimental affect on the price of our common shares. As discussed below, the Supreme Court of the State of New York's decision does not affect our Federal Claim against Crede for market manipulation, among other claims, as discussed below.
On May 10, 2018, the Company filed a complaint in the United States District Court Southern District of New York against Crede and certain of its principals, and Wellington Shields & Co who acted as the broker in the sale of securities pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement alleging, among other things, violation of Section 10 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder of the Exchange Act, violation of Section 13(d) and Rule 13d-1 promulgated thereunder of the Exchange Act, and breach of contract ("Federal Claim"). On July 17, 2018, we filed a first amended complaint in the United States District Court Southern District of New York, seeking, in addition to the relief sought in the initial complaint, declaratory relief that Securities Purchase Agreement and related agreements, including the Warrants, are void based on a violation of Section 29(b) of the Exchange Act. On March 26, 2019, in response to a motion to dismiss by the defendants in the action in Federal Claim, the District Court dismissed certain of our claims against the defendants, but allowed our claims under Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder of market manipulation against, and our claim of breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing by Crede to continue.
The Federal Claim is in its initial stage and discovery has been initiated. In the event that we are forced to allow Crede to exercise the Warrants pursuant to the Supreme Court of the State of New York's order and/or are subject to damages, we may be required to issue additional common shares under the Securities Purchase Agreement. Under the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement, the maximum number of common shares that may be issued in the transaction is limited to 21,704,630, of which 10,344,487 have been issued. Pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, we have also agreed to register the common shares that may be issued to Crede pursuant to a registration rights agreement. The issuance of additional common shares will have a dilutive effect to our shareholders and the payment of damages and legal expenses may adversely affect our financial condition.
Taxation & Government Incentives1 | 2.9%
Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 1
Changed
The Company may be subject to additional payments to the Tanzanian government because it has not brought the Buckreef Project into production by a certain date.
The Company's joint venture agreement with Stamico contains an obligation clause regarding the commissioning date for the plant. The clause becomes effective only in the event the property is not brought into production before a specified future date which was originally estimated to be in December 2015. Under the agreement, the Company is entitled to extend the date for one additional year: (i) for the extension year; on payment to Stamico of US$500,000; (ii) for the second extension year, on payment to Stamico of US$625,000; and (iii) for each subsequent extension year, on payment to Stamico of US$750,000.
The Company has received a request letter from Stamico regarding the status of the penalty payment and has responded that no penalty is due at this time. The Company has received a subsequent letter from Stamico regarding request for payment. It remains the Company's position that no penalty is due at this time, but the Company and Stamico have been engaged in settlement discussions to resolve this issue, and a payment of $172,330 has been made in connection with the settlement discussions to be applied towards the amount owing with the remainder to be paid out of proceeds of production.
No assurance can be given that Stamico will not demand additional money from the Company because the Company has not brought the Buckreef Project into production by a certain date.
Environmental / Social1 | 2.9%
Environmental / Social - Risk 1
The Company's operations are subject to issues relating to security and human rights.
Civil disturbances and criminal activities such as trespass, illegal mining, theft and vandalism may cause disruptions at the Company's operations in Tanzania which may result in the suspension of operations. There is no guarantee that such incidents will not occur in the future. Such incidents may halt or delay exploration, increase operating costs, result in harm to employees or trespassers, decrease operational efficiency, increase community tensions or result in criminal and/or civil liability for the Company or its employees and/or financial damages or penalties. The manner in which the Company's personnel respond to civil disturbances and criminal activities can give rise to additional risks where those responses are not conducted in a manner that is consistent with international standards relating to the use of force and respect for human rights. The failure to conduct security operations in accordance with these standards can result in harm to employees or community members, increase community tensions, reputational harm to the Company and its partners or result in criminal and/or civil liability for the Company or its employees and/or financial damages or penalties. It is not possible to determine with certainty the future costs that the Company may incur in dealing with the issues described above at its operations.
Ability to Sell
Total Risks: 2/35 (6%)Below Sector Average
Competition1 | 2.9%
Competition - Risk 1
The Company's competition is intense in all phases of the Company's business.
The mining industry in which the Company is engaged is in general, highly competitive. Competitors include well-capitalized mining companies, independent mining companies and other companies having financial and other resources far greater than those of the Company. The Company competes with other mining companies in connection with the acquisition of gold and other precious metal properties. In general, properties with a higher grade of recoverable mineral and/or which are more readily mineable afford the owners a competitive advantage in that the cost of production of the final mineral product is lower. Thus, a degree of competition exists between those engaged in the mining industries to acquire the most valuable properties. As a result, the Company may eventually be unable to acquire attractive gold mining properties.
Sales & Marketing1 | 2.9%
Sales & Marketing - Risk 1
The Company may lose its foreign private issuer status in the future, which could result in significant additional costs and expenses.
In order to maintain the Company's current status as a foreign private issuer, a majority of its common shares must be either directly or indirectly owned by non-residents of the United States, unless the Company also satisfies one of the additional requirements necessary to preserve this status. The Company may in the future lose its foreign private issuer status if a majority of its common shares is held in the United States and it fails to meet the additional requirements necessary to avoid loss of foreign private issuer status. The regulatory and compliance costs under U.S. federal securities laws as a U.S. domestic issuer may be significantly more than the costs incurred as a Canadian foreign private issuer eligible to use the multijurisdictional disclosure system ("MJDS"). If the Company is not a foreign private issuer, it would not be eligible to use the MJDS or other foreign issuer forms and would be required to file periodic and current reports and registration statements on U.S. domestic issuer forms with the SEC, which are more detailed and extensive than the forms available to a foreign private issuer. In addition, the Company may lose the ability to rely upon certain exemptions from NYSE American corporate governance requirements that are available to foreign private issuers.
Macro & Political
Total Risks: 2/35 (6%)Below Sector Average
Economy & Political Environment1 | 2.9%
Economy & Political Environment - Risk 1
Mineral exploration in Tanzania is affected by local climatic and economic conditions.
The Company's properties in Tanzania have year round access, although seasonal winter rains from December to March may result in flooding in low lying areas, which are dominated by mbuga, a black organic rich laustrine flood soil. Further, most lowland areas are under active cultivation for corn, rice, beans and mixed crops by subsistence farmers. As a result, the area has been deforested by local agricultural practices for many years. The seasonal rains and deforested areas can create a muddy bog in some areas, which can make access more difficult, and could impede or even prevent the transport of heavy equipment to the Company's mineral properties at certain times of the year between December and March.
International Operations1 | 2.9%
International Operations - Risk 1
The Company's business activities are conducted in Tanzania.
The Company's principal exploration and mine development properties are currently located in the United Republic of Tanzania, Africa, under which the Company has obtained a license to explore, develop and operate the properties. Although the Company believes that the Tanzania government is a stable, multi-party democracy, there is no guarantee that this will continue. Tanzania is surrounded by unstable countries enduring political and civil unrest, and in some cases, civil war. There is no guarantee that the surrounding unrest will not affect the Tanzanian government and people, and therefore, the Company's mineral exploration activities. Any such effect is beyond the control of the Company and may materially adversely affect its business.
Further, the operator of the Buckreef Project is Tanzam, a joint venture that is 55% owned by one of the Company's subsidiaries and 45% is owned by the Stamico, a governmental agency of the Tanzania. Therefore, the government of Tanzania will have a substantial input at the Company's operations at the Buckreef Project.
Additionally, the Company may be affected in varying degrees by political stability and government regulations relating to the mining industry and foreign investment in Tanzania. The government of Tanzania may institute regulatory policies that adversely affect the exploration and mine development (if any) of the Company's properties. Any changes in regulations or shifts in political conditions in this country are beyond the control of the Company and may materially adversely affect its business. Investors should assess the political and regulatory risks related to the Company's foreign country investments. The Company's operations in Tanzania are also subject to various levels of economic, social and other risks and uncertainties that are different from those encountered in North America. The Company's operations may be affected in varying degrees by government regulations with respect to restrictions on production, price controls, export controls, restrictions on foreign exchange and repatriation, income taxes, expropriation of property, environmental legislation and mine safety. Other risks and uncertainties include extreme fluctuations in currency exchange rates, high rates of inflation, labor unrest, risks of war or civil unrest, government and civil unrest, regional expropriation and nationalization, renegotiation or nullification of existing concessions, licenses, permits and contracts, illegal mining, corruption, hostage taking, civil war and changing political conditions and currency controls. Infectious diseases (including Ebola virus, malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis) are also major health care issues where the Company operates.
Tech & Innovation
Total Risks: 1/35 (3%)Below Sector Average
Cyber Security1 | 2.9%
Cyber Security - Risk 1
Added
Security breaches and other disruptions could compromise the Company's information and expose it to liability, which would cause its business and reputation to suffer.
In the ordinary course of the Company's business, it collects and stores sensitive data, including intellectual property, its proprietary business information and that of its business partners, and personally identifiable information of its employees in its data centers and on its networks. The secure processing, maintenance and transmission of this information is critical to the Company's operations and business strategy. Despite its security measures, the information technology and infrastructure may be vulnerable to attacks by hackers or breached due to employee error, malfeasance or other disruptions. Any such breach could compromise the Company's networks and the information stored there could be accessed, publicly disclosed, lost or stolen. Any such access, disclosure or other loss of information could result in legal claims or proceedings, potential liability under laws that protect the privacy of personal information, and potential regulatory penalties, disrupt the Company's operations and damage its reputation, and cause a loss of confidence in the Company, which could adversely affect its business and competitive position.
See a full breakdown of risk according to category and subcategory. The list starts with the category with the most risk. Click on subcategories to read relevant extracts from the most recent report.
FAQ
What are “Risk Factors”?
Risk factors are any situations or occurrences that could make investing in a company risky.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires that publicly traded companies disclose their most significant risk factors. This is so that potential investors can consider any risks before they make an investment.
They also offer companies protection, as a company can use risk factors as liability protection. This could happen if a company underperforms and investors take legal action as a result.
It is worth noting that smaller companies, that is those with a public float of under $75 million on the last business day, do not have to include risk factors in their 10-K and 10-Q forms, although some may choose to do so.
How do companies disclose their risk factors?
Publicly traded companies initially disclose their risk factors to the SEC through their S-1 filings as part of the IPO process.
Additionally, companies must provide a complete list of risk factors in their Annual Reports (Form 10-K) or (Form 20-F) for “foreign private issuers”.
Quarterly Reports also include a section on risk factors (Form 10-Q) where companies are only required to update any changes since the previous report.
According to the SEC, risk factors should be reported concisely, logically and in “plain English” so investors can understand them.
How can I use TipRanks risk factors in my stock research?
Use the Risk Factors tab to get data about the risk factors of any company in which you are considering investing.
You can easily see the most significant risks a company is facing. Additionally, you can find out which risk factors a company has added, removed or adjusted since its previous disclosure. You can also see how a company’s risk factors compare to others in its sector.
Without reading company reports or participating in conference calls, you would most likely not have access to this sort of information, which is usually not included in press releases or other public announcements.
A simplified analysis of risk factors is unique to TipRanks.
What are all the risk factor categories?
TipRanks has identified 6 major categories of risk factors and a number of subcategories for each. You can see how these categories are broken down in the list below.
1. Financial & Corporate
Accounting & Financial Operations - risks related to accounting loss, value of intangible assets, financial statements, value of intangible assets, financial reporting, estimates, guidance, company profitability, dividends, fluctuating results.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights – risks related to things that impact share prices and the rights of shareholders, including analyst ratings, major shareholder activity, trade volatility, liquidity of shares, anti-takeover provisions, international listing, dual listing.
Debt & Financing – risks related to debt, funding, financing and interest rates, financial investments.
Corporate Activity and Growth – risks related to restructuring, M&As, joint ventures, execution of corporate strategy, strategic alliances.
2. Legal & Regulatory
Litigation and Legal Liabilities – risks related to litigation/ lawsuits against the company.
Regulation – risks related to compliance, GDPR, and new legislation.
Environmental / Social – risks related to environmental regulation and to data privacy.
Taxation & Government Incentives – risks related to taxation and changes in government incentives.
3. Production
Costs – risks related to costs of production including commodity prices, future contracts, inventory.
Supply Chain – risks related to the company’s suppliers.
Manufacturing – risks related to the company’s manufacturing process including product quality and product recalls.
Human Capital – risks related to recruitment, training and retention of key employees, employee relationships & unions labor disputes, pension, and post retirement benefits, medical, health and welfare benefits, employee misconduct, employee litigation.
4. Technology & Innovation
Innovation / R&D – risks related to innovation and new product development.
Technology – risks related to the company’s reliance on technology.
Cyber Security – risks related to securing the company’s digital assets and from cyber attacks.
Trade Secrets & Patents – risks related to the company’s ability to protect its intellectual property and to infringement claims against the company as well as piracy and unlicensed copying.
5. Ability to Sell
Demand – risks related to the demand of the company’s goods and services including seasonality, reliance on key customers.
Competition – risks related to the company’s competition including substitutes.
Sales & Marketing – risks related to sales, marketing, and distribution channels, pricing, and market penetration.
Brand & Reputation – risks related to the company’s brand and reputation.
6. Macro & Political
Economy & Political Environment – risks related to changes in economic and political conditions.
Natural and Human Disruptions – risks related to catastrophes, floods, storms, terror, earthquakes, coronavirus pandemic/COVID-19.
International Operations – risks related to the global nature of the company.
Capital Markets – risks related to exchange rates and trade, cryptocurrency.