Champion Iron Limited Annual Information Form for the Year Ended March 31, 2021
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CHAMPION IRON LIMITED ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2021 May 27, 2021 TABLE OF CONTENTS CAUTIONARY STATEMENT .................................................................................................................................... 1 CURRENCY ................................................................................................................................................................. 2 GENERAL .................................................................................................................................................................... 2 TECHNICAL DISCLOSURE ....................................................................................................................................... 3 SELECTED TECHNICAL TERMS ............................................................................................................................. 3 METRIC EQUIVALENTS ........................................................................................................................................... 5 CORPORATION PROFILE AND CORPORATE STRUCTURE ............................................................................... 5 GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS .................................................................................................... 7 DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS ......................................................................................................................... 12 RISK FACTORS ......................................................................................................................................................... 19 MATERIAL PROPERTY – BLOOM LAKE ............................................................................................................. 32 DIVIDEND POLICY .................................................................................................................................................. 60 DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE ........................................................................................................... 60 MARKET FOR SECURITIES .................................................................................................................................... 63 DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS .................................................................................................................................. 64 CEASE TRADE ORDERS, BANKRUPTCIES, PENALTIES OR SANCTIONS ..................................................... 66 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST...................................................................................................................................... 67 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND REGULATORY ACTIONS .................................................................................... 67 INTEREST OF MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS ........................................... 67 AUDITORS, REGISTRARS AND TRANSFER AGENTS ....................................................................................... 68 MATERIAL CONTRACTS ........................................................................................................................................ 68 INTERESTS OF EXPERTS ........................................................................................................................................ 68 AUDIT COMMITTEE INFORMATION ................................................................................................................... 69 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION................................................................................................................................ 71 SCHEDULE A .............................................................................................................................................................. 1 1 CAUTIONARY STATEMENT This Annual Information Form (sometimes referred to herein as this “AIF”) includes certain “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All information, other than regarding historical facts, included in this AIF that address activities, events or developments that Champion Iron Limited and its subsidiaries, including Champion Iron Mines Limited (“CIML”) and Quebec Iron Ore Inc. (“QIO”) (collectively, “Champion” or the “Corporation”) expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future, including such things as future business strategy, competitive strengths, goals, expansion and growth of the Corporation’s businesses, operations, plans and other such matters is forward-looking information. When used in this AIF, the words “estimate”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “intend”, “believe”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “may” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information. This information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Corporation to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Examples of such forward-looking information include information regarding financial results and expectations for fiscal year 2022, such as, but not limited to, the potential of the Corporation’s properties, acquisitions of additional properties, availability of financing, interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits and conclusions of economic evaluations, mineral and metal prices, demand for metals, currency exchange rates, cash operating margins, expenditures on property, plant and equipment, increases and decreases in exploration activity, changes in project parameters, joint venture operations, resources and anticipated grades and recovery rates, which are or may be based on assumptions or estimates related to future economic, market and other factors and conditions. Forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such information is made available. Forward-looking information is inherently subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements of the Corporation to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Although the Corporation has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, including the factors and risks described or referred to elsewhere herein, as well as unanticipated or unusual events. Many of such factors are beyond the Corporation’s ability to predict or control. Risks and uncertainties that may affect forward- looking information herein include, but are not limited to, those which relate to: (a) iron ore prices; (b) fluctuating mineral prices; (c) liquidity / financing risk; (d) global financial conditions and capital markets; (e) operating costs; (f) foreign exchange; (g) interest rates; (h) reduced global demand for steel or interruptions in steel production; (i) mineral exploration, development and operating risks; (j) uncertainty of Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates; (k) uncertainties and risks relating to feasibility studies; (l) dependence on the Bloom Lake Mine; (m) development and expansion projects risks; (n) replacement of Mineral Reserves; 2 (o) environmental risks and hazards; (p) reclamation costs and related liabilities; (q) government regulation; (r) potential First Nations land claims; (s) no assurance of titles; (t) permits and licenses; (u) climate change; (v) public health crises; (w) infrastructure and reliance on third parties for transportation of the Corporation’s iron ore concentrate; (x) reliance on small number of significant customers; (y) availability of reasonably priced raw materials and mining equipment; (z) dependence on third parties; (aa) reliance on information technology systems; (bb) cybersecurity threats; (cc) litigation; (dd) volatility of stock price; (ee) reputational risk; (ff) internal controls and procedures; (gg) insurance and uninsured risks; (hh) potential conflicts of interest; (ii) dependence on management and key personnel; (jj) employee relations; (kk) competitive conditions; (ll) dilution and future sales; (mm) joint ventures and option agreements; and (nn) ability to support the carrying value of non-current assets. For more information on risk factors, refer to the heading “Risk Factors” below. Readers of this AIF are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information due to its inherent uncertainty. The Corporation disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except in accordance with applicable securities legislation. This forward-looking information should not be relied upon as representing management’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of this AIF. CURRENCY All references to “$” or “dollars” herein are to Canadian dollars, unless otherwise specified. GENERAL The date of this Annual Information Form is May 27, 2021 (Sydney