Idaho Copper Corp

Current report

Investing in our common shares involves a high degree of risk. An investment in our securities is speculative and involves a high degree of risk due to the nature of our business and the present stage of exploration and development of our mineral properties. You should carefully consider the risks described below, as well as the other information in this Annual Report, including our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and Part II, Item 7. entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and in any documents incorporated in this Annual Report by reference, before deciding whether to invest in our common shares. The occurrence of any of the events or developments described below could harm our business, financial condition, results of operations, and growth prospects and could cause them to differ materially from the estimates described in forward-looking statements in this Annual Report. In such an event, the market price of our common shares could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. Although we have discussed all known material risks, the risks described below are not the only ones that we may face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. Certain statements below are forward-looking statements. See also “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this Annual Report.

Current report

Risks Related to Mining and Our Business

Current report

Our ability to continue the exploration, permitting, development, and construction of the project, and to continue as a going concern, will depend in part on our ability to obtain suitable financing.

Current report

We have limited financial resources. We will need external financing to develop and construct the project and to complete the permitting process. Although the Company’s current capital resources and liquidity has included approximately $4 million in funding since 2023, we project that we will need approximately $10 million for fiscal year 2026. We expect to seek additional financing through joint ventures, capital markets, private financing sources, and the exercise of outstanding warrants and options.

Current report

We do not currently have sufficient funds or committed financing necessary to commence construction of the Project, and we may be unable to raise the necessary funds.

Current report

Based on the updated schedule published by the USFS in January 2024, the Company anticipates that the USFS will publish a FEIS and a DROD in the second quarter of 2024 and a Final ROD in the first quarter of 2025. We have commenced pre-construction engineering and other preparations and, if the DROD and ROD are received on the anticipated schedule, we would seek to commence construction in 2025. According to the TRS, as of December 31, 2020, the total initial capital cost estimate for the Project was approximately $1,263 million. Although we have not updated our capital cost estimates as of December 31, 2023, based on significant inflation and increased financing costs since 2020, we expect the actual cost estimates to be higher than the 2020 estimate. These cost estimates may change materially due to inflation, competition or other unforeseen challenges at the Project site.

Current report

We do not currently have sufficient funds or committed financing to commence construction of the Project. Our ability to obtain sufficient funds or committed financing may be impacted by various factors, including, but not limited to, our ability to raise additional funds at acceptable rates or at all; unfavorable interest rates; the incurrence of additional debt, which may be subject to certain restrictive covenants; restrictions on our use of government funding; dilution resulting from additional equity financing; our ability to control certain property as a result of our entry into joint ventures or other similar arrangements; and the loss of certain economic benefits of our property as a result of our entry into royalty agreements.

Current report

Our failure to obtain sufficient financing could result in the delay or indefinite postponement of exploration, permitting, development, construction, or production at the Project. The cost and terms of such financing may significantly reduce the expected benefits from development of the Project and/or render such development uneconomic. There can be no assurance that additional capital or other types of financing will be available when needed or that, if available, the terms of such financing will be favorable. Our failure to obtain financing could have a material adverse effect on our growth strategy and results of operations and financial condition.

Current report

The Company does not have a full staff of technical people and relies upon outside consultants to provide critical services.

Current report

The Company has a relatively small staff and depends upon its ability to hire consultants with the appropriate background and expertise. The Company’s inability to hire the appropriate consultants at the appropriate time could adversely impact the Company’s ability to advance its exploration and permitting activities. For example, the Company will need to hire additional staff and consultants in order to commence construction of the project.

Current report

We have no history of commercially producing precious metals from our mineral properties and there can be no assurance that we will successfully establish mining operations or profitably produce precious metals.

Current report

The project is not in production or currently under construction, and we have no ongoing mining operations or revenue from mining operations. Mineral exploration and development has a high degree of risk and few properties that are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines. The future development of the project will require obtaining federal and state permits and financing and the construction and operation of mines, processing plants and related infrastructure. As a result, we are subject to all of the risks associated with establishing new mining operations and business enterprises, including, among others:

Current report

The costs, timing and complexities of mine construction and development are increased by the remote location of the project, with additional challenges related thereto, including access, water and power supply, and other support infrastructure. Cost estimates may increase significantly as more detailed engineering work and studies are completed. New mining operations commonly experience unexpected costs, problems and delays during development, construction, and mine start-up. In addition, delays in the commencement of mineral production often occur. Accordingly, there are no assurances that our activities will result in profitable mining operations, that we will successfully establish mining operations, or that we will profitably produce precious metals at the Project.

Current report

In addition, there is no assurance that our mineral exploration activities will result in any discoveries of new ore bodies. If further mineralization is discovered there is also no assurance that the mineralized material would be economical for commercial production. Discovery of mineral deposits is dependent upon a number of factors and significantly influenced by the technical skill of the exploration personnel involved. The commercial viability of a mineral deposit is also dependent upon a number of factors which are beyond our control, including the attributes of the deposit, commodity prices, government policies and regulation, and environmental protection requirements.

Current report

Mineral resource exploration and, if warranted, development, is a speculative business, characterized by a number of significant risks, including, among other things, unprofitable efforts resulting not only from the failure to discover mineral deposits but also from finding mineral deposits, which, though present, are insufficient in volume and/or grade to return a profit from production. There is no certainty that the expenditures that have been made and may be made in the future by the Company related to the exploration of its properties will result in discoveries of mineralized material in commercially viable quantities.

Current report

Most exploration projects do not result in the discovery of commercially viable mineral deposits and no assurance can be given that any particular level of recovery or mineral reserves will in fact be realized or that any identified mineral deposit will ever qualify as a commercially viable deposit which can be legally and economically exploited.

Current report

The Company’s mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates may not be indicative of the actual copper that can be mined.

Current report

Assay results from core drilling or reverse circulation drilling can be subject to errors at the laboratory analyzing the drill samples. In addition, reverse circulation or core drilling may lead to samples which may not be representative of the copper or other metals in the entire deposit. Mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates are based on interpretation of available facts and extrapolation or interpolation of data and may not be representative of the actual deposit. In the context of mineral exploration and future development, there is inherent variability between duplicate samples taken adjacent to each other and between sampling points that cannot be reasonably eliminated. There may also be unknown geologic details that have not been identified or correctly appreciated at the current level of delineation in these types of investigations. This results in uncertainties that cannot be reasonably eliminated from the estimation process. Some of the resulting variances can have a positive effect and others can have a negative effect on mining and processing operations. The calculations of amounts of mineralized material within mineral resources and mineral reserves are estimates only. Actual recoveries of copper and other potential by-products from mineral resources and mineral reserves may be lower than those indicated by test work. Any material change in the quantity of mineralization, grade, tonnage or stripping ratio, or the price of copper and other potential by-products, may affect the economic viability of a mineral property. In addition, there can be no assurance that the recoveries of copper and other potential by-products in small-scale laboratory tests will be duplicated in larger scale pilot plant tests under on-site conditions or during production. Notwithstanding the results of any metallurgical testing or pilot plant tests for metallurgy and other factors, there remains the possibility that the ore may not react in commercial production in the same manner as it did in testing.

Current report

Mining and metallurgy are an inexact science and, accordingly, there always remains an element of risk that a mine may not prove to be commercially viable. Until a deposit is actually mined and processed, the quantity of mineral reserves, mineral resources and grades must be considered as estimates only. In addition, the determination and valuation of mineral reserves and mineral resources is based on, among other things, assumed metal prices. Market fluctuations and metal prices may render mineral resources and mineral reserves uneconomic. Any material change in quantity of mineral reserves, mineral resources, grade, tonnage, percent extraction of those mineral reserves recoverable by underground mining techniques or stripping ratio for those mineral reserves recoverable by open pit mining techniques may affect the economic viability of a mining project, including the project and any future operations in which the Company has a direct or indirect interest. Any or all of these factors may lead to mineral resource and/or mineral reserve estimates being overstated, the mineable copper that can be received from the project being less than the mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates, and the project not being a viable project.

Current report

If the Company’s mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates for the project are not indicative of actual grades of copper and other potential by-products, the Company will have to continue to explore for a viable deposit or cease operations.

Current report

The Company faces numerous uncertainties in estimating economically recoverable mineral reserves and mineral resources, and inaccuracies in estimates could result in lower than expected revenues, higher than expected costs and decreased profitability.

Current report

Information concerning our mining properties inItem 2, Properties has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of S-K 1300. A mineral is economically recoverable when the price at which it can be sold exceeds the costs and expenses of mining, processing and selling the mineral. Mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates of the copper and antimony in our mining properties are based on many factors, including engineering, economic and geological data assembled and analyzed by internal staff and third parties, which includes various engineers and geologists, the area and volume covered by mining rights, assumptions regarding extraction rates and duration of mining operations, and the quality of in-place mineral reserves and mineral resources. The mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates as to both quantity and quality are updated from time to time to reflect, among other matters, new data received. According to the TRS, as of December 31, 2020, the total initial capital cost estimate for the project was approximately $1,263 million. The Company has not updated its capital cost estimates as of December 31, 2023, however, based on significant inflation and increased financing costs since 2020, the Company expects the actual cost estimates to be higher than the 2020 estimate. These cost estimates may change materially due to inflation, competition or other unforeseen challenges at the Project site.

Current report

There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities and qualities of minerals and costs to mine recoverable mineral reserves and mineral resources, including many factors beyond the Company’s control. Estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources necessarily depend upon a number of variable factors and assumptions, any one of which may, if incorrect, result in an estimate that varies considerably from actual results. These factors and assumptions include, among others:

Current report

As a result, actual tonnage recovered from identified mining properties and estimated revenues, expenditures and cash flows with respect to mineral reserves and mineral resources may vary materially from estimates. Thus, these estimates may not accurately reflect the Company’s actual mineral reserves and mineral resources. Any material inaccuracy in estimates related to the Company’s mineral reserves or mineral resources could result in lower than expected revenues, higher than expected costs or decreased profitability and changes in future cash flow, which could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations, financial position and cash flows. Additionally, reserve and resource estimates may be adversely affected in the future by interpretations of, or changes to, the SEC’s property disclosure requirements for mining companies.

Current report

The Company has a history of net losses and expects losses to continue for the foreseeable future.

Current report

We have a history of net losses, and we expect to incur net losses for the foreseeable future. The project has not advanced to the commercial production stage, and we have no history of earnings or cash flow from operations. We expect to continue to incur net losses unless and until such time the project commences commercial production and generates sufficient revenues to fund continuing operations. The development of our mineral properties to achieve production will require the commitment of substantial financial resources. The amount and timing of expenditures will depend on a number of factors, including the progress of ongoing exploration and development, the results of consultants’ analyses and recommendations, the rate at which operating losses are incurred, the process of obtaining required government permits and approvals, responding to opposition to the project, including potential litigation, the availability and cost of financing, the participation of our partners, and the execution of any sale or joint venture agreements with strategic partners. These factors, and others, are beyond our control. There is no assurance that we will be profitable in the future.

Current report

We have a limited property portfolio.

Current report

At present, our only material mineral property is the interest that we hold through our subsidiary in the project. Unless we acquire or develop additional mineral properties, we will be solely dependent upon this property. If no additional mineral properties are acquired by us, any adverse development affecting our operations and further development at the project may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Current report

We are subject to NEPA review and may be unable to obtain or retain necessary permits, which could adversely affect our operations.

Current report

Our mining and exploration development activities are subject to extensive permitting requirements which can be costly to comply with and involve extended timelines. Specifically, we are subject to NEPA review, a federal process which is presently ongoing. Formal review under NEPA is extensive and involves several actions, including public scoping, coordination with cooperating agencies, the release of environmental impact statements followed by public comment, potential administrative objections, and the issuance of a final record of decision. Delays in the NEPA process, such as we are unable to timely obtain a record of decision from the United States Forest Service or fail to obtain requisite ancillary permits, may adversely impact our operations. Additionally, to the extent that we are granted necessary permits, we may be subject to a number of Project requirements or conditions including the installation or undertaking of programs to safeguard protected species and their habitat, sites, or otherwise limit the impacts of our operations. Previously obtained permits may be suspended or revoked for a variety of reasons. While we strive to comply with and conclude the NEPA review process, and obtain and comply with all necessary permits and approvals, any failure to do so may have negative impacts upon our business or financial condition, such as increased delays, curtailment of our operations, increased costs, implementation of mitigation or remediation requirements, the potential for litigation or regulatory action, and damage to our reputation.

Current report

We are subject to extensive environmental laws and regulations, where compliance failure may impact our operations.

Current report

Our mining, exploration, and development operations are subject to extensive environmental, health, and safety laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate and include those relating to the discharge and remediation of materials in the environment, waste management, and natural resource protection and preservation. Numerous governmental authorities, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and analogous state agencies, have the authority to enforce compliance with these laws and regulations and the permits issued thereunder, oftentimes requiring difficult and costly response actions. Certain environmental laws, such as CERCLA, impose strict, joint and several liability for costs required to remediate and restore sites where hazardous substances have been stored or released, including sites subject to legacy contamination. We may be required to remediate contaminated properties currently owned and operated by us regardless of whether such contamination resulted from our actions or from the conduct of others. Additionally, claims for damages to persons or property, including damages to natural resources, may result from the environmental, health, and safety impacts of our operations.

Current report

We may incur substantial costs to maintain compliance with environmental, health, and safety laws and regulations and such costs could increase if existing laws and regulations are revised or reinterpreted or if new laws or regulations become applicable to our operations. Failure to comply with these environmental, health, and safety laws and regulations may result in the imposition of restrictions on our operations, administrative civil or criminal liabilities, injunctions, third-party property damage or personal injury claims, investigatory cleanup or other remedial obligations, or other adverse effects on our business, financial condition, or operations. Current and future legislative, regulatory, and judicial action could result in changes to operating permits, material changes in operations, and increased capital and operating expenditures, among others.

Current report

Our operations are also subject to extensive laws and regulations governing worker health and safety and require us to ensure our employees receive adequate training and guidance to follow applicable environmental, health, and safety policies, procedures, and programs. Failure to comply with applicable legal requirements may cause us to incur significant legal liability, penalties, or fines, result in reputational damage, and negatively impact our employee retention. Our mines will be inspected on a regular basis by government regulators who may issue orders and citations if they believe a violation of applicable mining health and safety laws has occurred. In such cases, we may be subject to fines, penalties, or sanctions, and our operations temporarily shut down. Additionally, future changes in applicable laws and regulations, including more rigorous enforcement, could have an adverse impact on operations and result in increased material expenditures to achieve compliance.

Current report

Our operations, including permitting, may be subject to legal challenges which could result in adverse impacts to our business and financial condition.

Current report

Our mining, exploration, and development operations, and the permits required for such activities, may be subject to legal challenges at the international, federal, state, and local level by various parties. Such legal challenges may allege non-compliance with laws and regulations.

Current report

Legal challenges may result in adverse impacts to our planned operations such as increased defense costs, the performance of additional mitigation and remedial activities, or significant delays to our project. We may also be subject to more localized opposition, including efforts by environmental groups, which could attract negative publicity or have an adverse impact on our reputation.

Current report

Additionally, our project is located in a district with significant impacts from legacy mining operations prior to our acquisition of and tenure at the sites. Pursuant to CERCLA, we may be subject to liability and remediation responsibilities as current owners of certain areas of the sites under applicable law, consent decrees or similar agreements.

Current report

Our operations are subject to climate change risks.

Current report

Climate change may result in various and presently unknown physical risks, such as the increased frequency or intensity of extreme weather events or changes in meteorological and hydrological patterns that could adversely impact our business. Such physical risks may result in damage to our facilities causing our operations to temporarily slow down or come to a stop. Moreover, the physical risks associated with climate change could have financial implications for our business, such as increased capital or operating costs, and additional expenditures to maintain or increase the resiliency of our facilities and implement contingency measures.

Previous report

As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide a statement of risk factors.

Previous report

An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risk factors before deciding to invest in our company. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects for growth would likely suffer. As a result, you may lose all or part of your investment in our company.