Attached files

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EX-31.1 - SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION - CEO - UNICO INC /AZ/unico10feb10kex311.htm
EX-32.1 - SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION - CEO - UNICO INC /AZ/unico10feb10kex321.htm
EX-31.2 - SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION - CFO - UNICO INC /AZ/unico10feb10kex312.htm
EX-32.2 - SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION - CFO - UNICO INC /AZ/unico10feb10kex322.htm
EX-10.86 - CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURE 237 - UNICO INC /AZ/unicoconvertibledebenture237.htm
EX-10.81 - CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURE 232 - UNICO INC /AZ/unicoconvertibledebenture232.htm
EX-10.89 - CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURE 240 - UNICO INC /AZ/unicoconvertibledebenture240.htm
EX-10.85 - CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURE 236 - UNICO INC /AZ/unicoconvertibledebenture236.htm
EX-10.93 - CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURE 244 - UNICO INC /AZ/unicoconvertibledebenture244.htm
EX-10.97 - CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURE 248 - UNICO INC /AZ/unicoconvertibledebenture248.htm
EX-10.98 - PROMISSORY NOTE - UNICO INC /AZ/trottaroccopromissarynote_eq.htm
EX-10.90 - CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURE 241 - UNICO INC /AZ/unicoconvertibledebenture241.htm
EX-10.87 - CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURE 238 - UNICO INC /AZ/unicoconvertibledebenture238.htm
EX-10.96 - CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURE 247 - UNICO INC /AZ/unicoconvertibledebenture247.htm
EX-10.92 - CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURE 243 - UNICO INC /AZ/unicoconvertibledebenture243.htm
EX-10.95 - CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURE 246 - UNICO INC /AZ/unicoconvertibledebenture246.htm
EX-10.88 - CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURE 239 - UNICO INC /AZ/unicoconvertibledebenture239.htm
EX-10.83 - CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURE 234 - UNICO INC /AZ/unicoconvertibledebenture234.htm
EX-10.84 - CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURE 235 - UNICO INC /AZ/unicoconvertibledebenture235.htm
EX-10.99 - SECURITY AGREEMENT - UNICO INC /AZ/trottaroccosecurityagreement.htm
EX-10.94 - CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURE 245 - UNICO INC /AZ/unicoconvertibledebenture245.htm
EX-10.82 - CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURE 233 - UNICO INC /AZ/unicoconvertibledebenture233.htm
EX-10.91 - CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURE 242 - UNICO INC /AZ/unicoconvertibledebenture242.htm

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549


FORM 10-K


T     ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the fiscal year ended February 28, 2010


or


£      TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the transition period from ____ to ____


Commission file number 000-30239


UNICO, INCORPORATED

(Exact name of registrant specified in its charter)


Arizona

 

13-4171971

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)


8880 Rio San Diego Drive, 8th Floor, San Diego, California 92108

(Address of principal executive offices)                      (Zip code)


(619) 209-6124

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)


Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

 

None

(Title of each class)

N/A

(Name of Exchange on which registered)


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:

 

Common Stock, $0.001 par value

(Title of Class)


Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  

Yes £       No T


Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

Yes £       No T


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  

Yes T       No £


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of the Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes £       No £





Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K £


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.


Large accelerated filer          £    

Accelerated filer                    £     

Non-accelerated filer            £     

Smaller reporting company   T


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes £  No T


State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the voting and non-voting common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter.  $1,713,902, based on the last sale price of $.0061, as reported on the OTC bulletin board on August 31, 2009.


APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE REGISTRANTS


Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.  The Registrant had 4,858,273,975 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value, outstanding as of May 24, 2010.


DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE


List hereunder the following documents if incorporated by reference and the Part of the Form 10-K (e.g., Part I, Part II, etc.) into which the document is incorporated:  (1) any annual report to security holders; (2) any proxy or information statement; and (3) any prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424 (b) or (c) under the Securities Act of 1933.  The listed documents should be clearly described for identification purposes (e.g. annual report to security holders for fiscal year ended December 24, 1980).  None







1




TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I


Page

ITEM 1.        BUSINESS

3

ITEM 1A.     RISK FACTORS

ITEM 1B.     UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

ITEM 2.        PROPERTIES

6

9

9

ITEM 3.        LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

17

ITEM 4.        (Removed and Reserved)

18

PART II


ITEM 5.        MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

                      AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

18

ITEM 6.        SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

19

ITEM 7.        MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

                      AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

20

ITEM 7A.     QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

21

ITEM 8.        FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

21

ITEM 9.        CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND

                      FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE


22

ITEM 9A.     CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

22

ITEM 9B.     OTHER INFORMATION

22

PART III


ITEM 10.      DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

24

ITEM 11.      EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

28

ITEM 12.      SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND

                      RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

32

ITEM 13.      CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR

                      INDEPENDENCE

33

ITEM 14.      PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

37

ITEM 15.      EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

37

 

 

 

 





2




PART I


Forward Looking Statements


This document includes statements that may constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company would like to caution certain readers regarding certain forward-looking statements in this document and in all of its communications to shareholders and others, on management’s projections, estimates and all other communications.  Statements that are based on management’s projections, estimates and assumptions are forward-looking statements.  The words believe, expect, anticipate, intend and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. While the Company believes in the veracity of all statements made herein, forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates, and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies and known and unknown risks. Many of the uncertainties and contingencies can affect events and the Company’s actual results and could cause its actual results to differ materially from this expressed in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf, of the Company.


ITEM 1.   

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS


General


Unico, Incorporated (“the Company”, “Unico”) an Arizona corporation, was formed as an Arizona corporation on May 27, 1966. It was incorporated under the name of Red Rock Mining Co., Incorporated. It was later known as Industries International, Incorporated and I.I. Incorporated before the name was eventually changed to Unico, Incorporated in 1979.


Unico has been engaged in exploration and testing at the Deer Trail Mine through its subsidiary, Deer Trail Mining Company, LLC (“Deer Trail Mining Company” or “DTMC”). Future exploration, if any, at the Silver Bell Mine will be conducted through Unico's subsidiary, Silver Bell Mining Company, Inc. ("SBMC").


Deer Trail Mining Company, LLC


On March 30, 1992, Unico, Incorporated entered into a Mining Lease and Option to Purchase agreement with Deer Trail Development Corporation, with headquarters in Dallas, Texas. Deer Trail Development Corporation is now known as Crown Mines, L.L.C. The lease was to run for a period of 10 years, and cover 28 patented claims, 5 patented mill sites and 171 unpatented claims located approximately 5 miles South of Marysvale, Utah. It includes mine workings known as the Deer Trail Mine, the PTH Tunnel and the Carisa and Lucky Boy mines. There are no known, proven or probable reserves on the property.  Effective December 1, 2001, a new lease agreement was entered into between the parties (“Deer Trail Lease”) covering the same property for a period of thirty (30) months. It was subsequently extended through a series of amendments.  


In July 2007, Deer Trail Mining Company completed the purchase of the claims covered by the Deer Trail Lease.  A total of $4,000,000 was paid to purchase the property over a period of approximately three years.  The purchase of the claims also included the purchase of certain water rights as described in Item 2 of this report.


Crown Mines, L.L.C. retained a perpetual royalty interest on minerals taken from the claims purchased by Deer Trail Mining Company.  The perpetual royalty is three percent (3.0%) of net smelter returns on minerals other than gold.  The royalty rate for gold is three percent (3.0%) when the price of gold is less than or equal to $500 per troy ounce, four percent (4.0%) when the price of gold is more than $500 and less than or equal to $600 per troy ounce, and five percent (5.0%) when the price of gold is greater than $600 per troy ounce.  Crown Mines, L.L.C. also retained an undivided three percent (3.0%) interest in any oil and gas and associated hydrocarbons produced from the claims.


Deer Trail Mining Company has agreed to provide Crown Mines, L.L.C. with information obtained as a result of Deer Trail Mining Company’s exploration activities on the claims, and Deer Trail Mining Company granted to Crown Mines, L.L.C. a right of first refusal to repurchase the claims or any portion thereof.


Prior to June 2004, Unico worked to explore and reopen the Deer Trail Mine.  Since June 2004, Deer Trail Mining Company has assumed exploration activities, ownership and management control of the Deer Trail Mine.  Deer Trail Mining Company presently has 2 full time employees, 1 part time employee and consultants. Since 2004, Deer Trail Mining Company, LLC has engaged in significant exploration work at the Deer Trail Mine for which information has been provided in previous periodic reports filed by Unico.



3




Deer Trail Mining Company currently has in place a Large Scale Mining permit with The State of Utah’s Division of Oil Gas and Mining. The permit file # M10311003 is available for public viewing at the Division of Oil Gas and Mining’s Salt Sale City’s office.  Deer Trail recently received approval for the addition of a second tailings disposal impoundment, the construction permit was granted because of the low potential for contamination to the ground water, as a result of the application of best available technology, the proposed impoundment is likely to have de minimis effect on ground water quality. Under these conditions the project qualifies for permit-by-rule Status under R317-6-6.2(A)(25) of the Utah ground water protection code.


Mill Tailings Current Extraction Plans


The grade and tonnage of the tailings and dumps present at the Upper Mine site will be re-confirmed by reverse circulation or any other suitable means of drilling.  All economically prospective mill tailings and dumps existing on the property, as well as possibly from other nearby mines will be re-processed and the precious metals contained within them recovered.  This will be accomplished when metallurgical test work determines the best method of recovery and the required equipment has been installed and activated.


Exploration Time Table and Budget


Additional exploration is being planned and is part of the 12 month plan presented in the plan of operation.


Plans to Conduct Exploration


The budget for the exploration portion of the work presented in the 12 month plan is $2,500,000


Funding for Exploration Programs


It is anticipated that funding for most exploration programs will be generated through one or more of the following:


1.

Profits from the sale of Au-Ag-Zn-Pb-Cu concentrate.


2.

Acquiring joint venture partners.


3.      Private stock placements.


Silver Bell Mining Company, Inc.


Silver Bell Mining Company, Inc. was incorporated in the State of Utah on April 26, 1993. It has acquired the mineral rights to 26 patented mining claims located in American Fork Canyon, Utah County, Utah, which is organized into three separate parcels. The claims contain mining properties that have not been mined for production since 1983. The properties were mined primarily for silver, lead and zinc. There are no known, proven or probable reserves on the property.

 

Silver Bell Mining Company conducted some exploration work on the Silver Bell Mine through 2004. It is possible that Silver Bell Mining Company may conduct further exploration work to evaluate the claims, but for the foreseeable future, Unico is concentrating its exploration efforts on the Deer Trail Mine.  Silver Bell Mining Company anticipates that if there are any future mining activities at the Silver Bell Mine, materials mined will be transported to the Deer Trail Mine site where they can be crushed, milled and processed.  Silver Bell Mining Company may also seek a joint venture mining partner to jointly develop the Silver Bell Mine, if any future exploration work suggests that future mining is commercially viable.  


Bromide Basin Mining Company, LLC


Unico has a wholly-owned subsidiary known as the Bromide Basin Mining Company, LLC which was formed for the purpose of conducting mine exploration activities at the Bromide Basin Mines.  The lease and purchase option on this property expired on October 31, 2007.  The Company chose not to extend it or pursue the purchase option.

 

Plan of Operation


During the next 12 months, the Company’s plan of operation is to raise additional funds for investment into its subsidiary Deer Trail Mining Company. Depending on the actual level of funding obtained, the following activities are planned:


·

Development, exploration and operating activities to recommence production at upper Deer Trail Mine;

·

Installation of processing circuit, including tailings ponds, permits and upgrades to the primary circuit;



4




·

Research and testing to obtain 43-101 technical report;

·

Underground rehabilitation of the lower Deer Trail Mine 8600 area, including upgrades to electrical and mine drifting to support exploration;

·

Initial exploration program for the lower Deer Trail Mine 8600 area;

·

Additional exploration of the lower Deer Trail Mine 3400, 4400 and 6600 areas;

·

Research and testing on the Mississippian Redwall Limestone area;

·

Research on the Deer Trail Mine Porphyry.


Smelting and Refining


It is expected that the processing of concentrates generated from the mill will take place on site.  Gold, silver and tellurium will be extracted from the concentrates.  All base metals will be stored to be shipped later in rail car lots to smelters in Canada or Mexico.


Dependence on Metal Prices


Unico's activities will be largely dependent on metal prices. The prices may fluctuate on the world commodity markets and will be beyond the influence of Unico. A substantial reduction in the price of metals might impede Unico's ability to economically mine or to raise additional capital. Similarly, recent increases in precious metal prices have been beneficial to mining companies, and may increase Unico's ability to acquire new capital.


Competition


Unico competes with many mining exploration companies in the U.S. and throughout the world. The majority of Unico's competitors are much larger and better financed than Unico. Some of Unico's competitors have terminated mining exploration projects, and some mining companies have closed mining operations in past years due to low metal prices. Some exploration and mining operations have been consolidated through mergers or other acquisitions. Recent increases in metal prices have helped exploration and mining companies in expanding operations and in their efforts to acquire new capital.


Employees


During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2010 the Company and its subsidiaries had a total of 16 employees. Currently, the Company including subsidiaries has 5 full time employees, 1 part time employee and 4 consultants.  The full time employees include a CEO, CFO, Executive Vice President, and geologist. In the event the exploration activities are successful, additional employees may be added in the future.


Governmental Regulation


Exploration, mining and/or processing activities are subject to numerous permitting and environmental laws and regulations administered by active federal, state, and local authorities, particularly the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining. Although the permits necessary for exploration and mining operations on the patented and unpatented Deer Trail Mine claims and on the patented Silver Bell Mine claims have already been obtained, Unico may be required to expand such permitting in order to be able to fully develop the properties in the future. In order to obtain expanded permits, it may be necessary to gather and analyze baseline data, complete environmental assessments or environmental impact statements with appropriate steps to mitigate potential adverse impacts, and modify the proposed plans in order to accommodate environmental impacts, all of which may take an indeterminate amount of time to complete.


Exploration and mining operations are regulated under the jurisdiction of the Mine Safety and Health Administration or "MSHA" to some degree to insure safe operations. Without proper training of personnel and compliance to all MSHA rules, the mine could be subject to heavy fines and closure. Unico strives to comply with MSHA regulations and maintain a good working relationship with MSHA. The exploration activities are subject to periodic inspections by MSHA which, depending on the outcome of an inspection, could curtail exploration activities until any violations have been cured.


During approximately the last two years Unico has received some minor citations from MSHA and fines have been assessed. Unico currently owes $8,110 in existing fines.  


Cost and Effect of Compliance with Environmental Laws


Environmental regulations and guidelines have been established by state and federal agencies to insure that the environment is not permanently adversely impacted. Deer Trail Mining Company presently has $222,014 in reclamation bonds with the U.S. Forest



5




Service and the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining. As Unico expands its exploration activities it will become necessary to comply with further regulations for larger operations and more bonding will be required from time to time. Permitting will be an ongoing function of Unico's operations.


Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


On July 30, 2002, President Bush signed into law the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the "Sarbanes-Oxley Act"). The Sarbanes-Oxley Act imposes a wide variety of new regulatory requirements on publicly held companies and their insiders.  Many of these requirements will affect us.  For example:


·

Our chief executive officer and chief financial officer must now certify the accuracy of the financial statements contained in our periodic reports;

·

Our periodic reports must disclose our conclusions about the effectiveness of our controls and procedures;

·

Our periodic reports must disclose whether there were significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses; and

·

We may not make any loan to any director or executive officer and we may not materially modify any existing loans.


The Sarbanes-Oxley Act has required us to review our current policies and procedures to determine whether we comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the new regulations promulgated thereunder.  We will continue to monitor our compliance with all future regulations that are adopted under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and will take actions necessary to ensure that we are in compliance therewith.


Code of Ethics and Audit Committee Charter


The Board of Directors of the Company adopted a Code of Ethics and an Audit Committee Charter.


The Code of Ethics applies to our principal executive officers, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. The code of ethics is designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote:


·

Honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;

·

Full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Company files with, or submits to, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and in other public communications made by the Company;

·

Compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations;

·

The prompt internal reporting of violations of the Code; and

·

Accountability for adherence to the Code.


Unico’s code of ethics was filed as an exhibit to Form 10-KSB for the year ended February 28, 2006


The primary responsibility of the Audit Committee is to oversee the Company's financial reporting process on behalf of the Company's Board of Directors and report the result of their activities to the Board.  Such responsibilities shall exclude but shall not be limited to, the selection, and if necessary the replacement of the Company's independent auditors, review and discuss with such independent auditors and the Company's internal audit department  (i) the overall scope and plans for the audit, (ii) the adequacy and effectiveness of the accounting and financial controls, including the Company's system to monitor and manage business risks, and legal and ethical programs, and (iii) the results of the annual audit, including the financial statements to be included  in  the  Company's  annual  report  on Form 10-K. Unico’s has adopted a new audit committee charter which is attached to this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended February 28, 2010.  


ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS


We are subject to various risks that may materially harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.  You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below and the other information in this filing before deciding to purchase our common stock.  If any of these risks or uncertainties actually occurs, our business, financial condition or operating results could be materially harmed.  In that case, the trading price of our common stock could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment.



6




We will need to raise additional capital to finance operations


Past operations have relied on monies generated from external financing to fund our operations.  Even though, we anticipate that we may generate revenues in the coming year we will still need to raise substantial amounts of capital to provide for payment of existing liabilities and to conduct future operations.  External financing will be required for future expansion as well.  We cannot assure you that financing whether from external sources or related parties will be available on favorable terms, or at all.  The sale of our common stock to raise capital may cause dilution to our existing shareholders. Our inability to obtain adequate financing may result in the need to curtail or cease business operations.  Any of these events would be materially harmful to our business and may result in a lower stock price.


There is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern due to recurring losses and working capital shortages, which means that we may not be able to continue operations unless we obtain additional funding


The report of our independent accountants on our February 28, 2010 financial statements included an explanatory paragraph indicating that there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern due to recurring losses and working capital shortages.  Our ability to continue as a going concern will be determined by our ability to obtain additional funding.  Our financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.


Most of our officers and directors lack previous mining experience; and this may affect the Company’s ability to succeed


It should be noted that not all of the officers and directors of Unico have technical training and experience with exploring for, starting, and/ or operating a mine, and as such may not be fully aware of many specific requirements and important factors related to this industry.  Charles M. Madsen, the Company’s executive vice president is the only officer or director with an extensive mining background. This lack of mining experience may affect decisions made by management, and ultimately the operations, and financial results of the Company.


We are not likely to succeed unless we can overcome the many obstacles we face


As an investor, you should be aware of the difficulties, delays and expenses we encounter, many of which are beyond our control, including unanticipated market trends, employment costs, and administrative expenses.  We cannot assure our investors that our proposed business plans as described in this report will materialize or prove successful, or that we will ever be able to finalize development of our products or services or operate profitably.  If we cannot operate profitably, you could lose your entire investment.  As a result of the nature of our business, initially we expect to sustain substantial operating expenses without generating significant revenues.


We could fail to retain or attract key personnel


Our future success depends, in significant part, on the continued services of our Senior Executive Officers.  We cannot assure you that we would be able to find an appropriate replacement for key personnel.  Any loss or interruption of our key personnel's services could adversely affect our ability to develop our business plan.  We have no employment agreements or life insurance on our Senior Executive Officers.


Our officers and directors have the ability to exercise significant influence over matters submitted for stockholder approval and their interests may differ from other stockholders


Our executive officers and directors have the opportunity, whether acting alone or together, to have significant influence in determining the outcome of any corporate transaction or other matter submitted to our Board for approval, including appointing officers, which could have a material impact on mergers, acquisitions, consolidations and the sale of all or substantially all of our assets.  The interests of these board members may differ from the interests of the other stockholders.


Our common stock may be affected by limited trading volume and its price may fluctuate significantly


There has been a limited public market for our common stock and there can be no assurance that an active trading market for our common stock will continue.  As a result, this could adversely affect our shareholders' ability to sell our common stock in short time periods, or possibly at all.  Our common stock has experienced, and is likely to experience in the future, significant price and volume fluctuations that could adversely affect the market price of our common stock without regard to our operating performance.  In addition, we believe that factors such as quarterly fluctuations in our financial results and changes in the overall economy or the condition of the financial markets could cause the price of our common stock to fluctuate substantially. Substantial fluctuations in our stock price could significantly reduce the price of our stock.

 



7




Our common stock is traded on the "over-the-counter bulletin board," which may make it more difficult for investors to resell their shares due to suitability requirements


Our common stock is currently traded on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board (OTCBB) where we expect it to remain for the foreseeable future. Broker-dealers often decline to trade in OTCBB stocks given that the market for such securities is often limited, the stocks are more volatile, and the risk to investors is greater.  These factors may reduce the potential market for our common stock by reducing the number of potential investors.  This may make it more difficult for investors in our common stock to sell shares to third parties or to otherwise dispose of them.  This could cause our stock price to decline.


Our common stock is subject to the “penny stock” rules of the SEC and the trading market in our securities is limited, which makes transactions in our stock cumbersome and may reduce the value of an investment in our stock.


The Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted Rule 15g-9 which establishes the definition of a “penny stock,” for the purposes relevant to us, as any equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share or with an exercise price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions.  Inasmuch as that the current bid and ask price of our common stock is less than $5.00 per share, our shares are classified as “penny stock” under the rules of the SEC.  For any transaction involving a penny stock, unless exempt, the rules require:


·

That a broker or dealer approve a person’s account for transactions in penny stocks; and

·

The broker or dealer receives from the investor a written agreement to the transaction, setting forth the identity and quantity of the penny stock to be purchased.

In order to approve a person’s account for transactions in penny stocks, the broker or dealer must:

·

Obtain financial information and investment experience objectives of the person; and

·

Make a reasonable determination that the transactions in penny stocks are suitable for that person and the person has sufficient knowledge and experience in financial matters to be capable of evaluating the risks of transactions in penny stocks.

The broker or dealer must also deliver, prior to any transaction in a penny stock, a disclosure schedule prescribed by the Commission relating to the penny stock market, which, in highlight form:

·

Sets forth the basis on which the broker or dealer made the suitability determination; and

·

That the broker or dealer received a signed, written agreement from the investor prior to the transaction.

Generally, brokers may be less willing to execute transactions in securities subject to the “penny stock” rules.  This may make it more difficult for investors to dispose of our common stock and cause a decline in the market value of our stock.


Disclosure also has to be made about the risks of investing in penny stocks in both public offerings and in secondary trading and about the commissions payable to both the broker-dealer and the registered representative, current quotations for the securities and the rights and remedies available to an investor in cases of fraud in penny stock transactions.  Finally, monthly statements have to be sent disclosing recent price information for the penny stock held in the account and information on the limited market in penny stocks.


ITEM 1B.

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS


Not applicable.


ITEM 2.

DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY


Deer Trail Mining Claims


In July 2007, Deer Trail Mining Company completed the purchase of the claims covered by the Deer Trail Lease.  A total of $4,000,000 was paid to purchase the property over a period of approximately three years.  The purchase of the claims also included the purchase of a fifty percent (50%) interest in Water Right No. 63-37, said fifty percent (50%) portion including a maximum flow of 0.125 cubic feet of water per second and a maximum annual diversion of 90.5 acre feet of water from Three Mile Spring for year-



8




round mining purposes.  The purchase of the claims also included a fifty percent (50%) interest in a contractual right to use water diverted under Water Right No. 63-3043 as evidenced and described in the Agreement between Cottonwood Irrigation Company and Deer Trail Development Corporation dated July 28, 1977.  The fifty percent (50%) interest in the contractual water right allows Deer Trail Mining Company to truck not more than 2,500 gallons of water per week from the Cottonwood Creek to the Deer Trail Mine for mining activities during the irrigation season (April 15 to October 15), and possibly more during the remaining portion of each year.


Deer Trail Mining Company also obtained a lease from Crown Mines, L.L.C. of the remaining fifty percent (50%) interest in Water Right No. 63-37 and the remaining 50% interest in the contractual water right (Water Right 63-3043).  The lease is for an initial term of 5 years for no rent.  The lease may be terminated by Crown Mines, L.L.C. upon 12 months’ written notice if Crown Mines determines that the water rights covered by the lease are necessary for the operation and development of any of Crown Mines’ mining claims or for other permitted uses.  The lease may be extended if Crown Mines determines that the water rights covered by the lease are not required for the operation and development of any of Crown Mines’ mining claims or for other permitted uses during the extension period, provided that the parties can agree on other terms including a price or rent for the extended term.


Crown Mines, L.L.C. retained a perpetual royalty interest on minerals taken from the claims purchased by Deer Trail Mining Company.  The perpetual royalty is three percent (3.0%) of net smelter returns on minerals other than gold.  The royalty rate for gold is three percent (3.0%) when the price of gold is less than or equal to $500 per troy ounce, four percent (4.0%) when the price of gold is more than $500 and less than or equal to $600 per troy ounce, and five percent (5.0%) when the price of gold is greater than $600 per troy ounce.  Crown Mines, L.L.C. also retained an undivided three percent (3.0%) interest in any oil and gas and associated hydrocarbons produced from the claims.


Crown Mines, L.L.C. also retained an access easement and a water line pipeline easement across the claims sold to Deer Trail Mining Company.


Deer Trail Mining Company has agreed to provide Crown Mines, L.L.C. with information obtained as a result of Deer Trail Mining Company’s exploration activities on the claims, and Deer Trail Mining Company granted to Crown Mines, L.L.C. a right of first refusal to repurchase the claims or any portion thereof.


The Deer Trail claims are located in the Tushar Mountains of East Central, Utah in the Mount Baldy and Ohio Mining districts. They are located on Deer Trail Mountain, approximately 5 miles South of Marysvale, Utah and are accessible by a gravel county road which is in good condition. There are no known, proven or probable reserves on the property.


The Deer Trail mineralized body was first discovered by deer hunters in 1878. The mineralized body originally cropped out at the surface. It is estimated that between 1878 and 1917, about 10,000 tons of mineralized materials were mined. A small mill was installed in 1918, and between 1918 and 1923 the mine produced about 138,000 tons of predominately oxidized mineralized materials averaging 1.38 opt gold, 11.49 opt silver and 3.26% lead. Zinc and copper were not recovered. In 1923, mining was suspended when the workings encountered a fault that cut off the mineralized materials, and for more than 20 years production was limited to drawing stopes and removing pillars. In 1945, the PTH tunnel was started to explore for the faulted extension of the Deer Trail mineralized body. The 3,400 mineralized body was encountered unexpectedly by this tunnel and a total of 5,000 tons of mineralized materials averaging 2.84% lead, 0.76% copper, 6.26% zinc, 15.17 opt silver and 0.19 opt gold were shipped. By 1964, the PTH tunnel had intersected the offset part of the Deer Trail mineralized body. From 1964 until 1981 this segment of the mineralized body produced over 100,000 tons of unoxidized sulfide mineralized materials averaging 5% lead, 0.6% copper, 12% zinc, 15 opt silver, and 0.10 opt gold. The present working face is still in mineralized material.

 

The PTH Tunnel penetrates more than 10,000 feet with a developed network of tunnels, shafts and raises at the 3,400 foot area and at the 8,000 foot area and was mined extensively for gold and silver for about 20 years. The timbered and ventilated tunnel includes more than two miles of track for ore cars accessed through a covered entrance structure.


The mine facilities also include ore cars, battery operated engines, an engine storage and charging house, an electric power substation, a miner's locker room, a compressor building, a 1,000 gallon underground gasoline storage tank with gas pump, two front end loaders, three dump trucks and a general office, a fully operational lab and a core sampling facility. Deer Trail Mining Company believes water is accessible to the site.


The Deer Trail mining property was developed by the Deer Trail Development Corporation, now known as Crown Mines, LLC, located in Dallas, Texas. Several major mining companies have explored the property. These include Noranda, Phelps Dodge and Goldfields. One smaller company drilled and analyzed the mill tailings from the upper Deer Trail Mine area in 1990. The results of the drilling and other tests were not conclusive, and at present there are no known proven or probable reserves on the claims.


Unico leased the property effective June 1, 1992. Unico has taken a few small lots of mineralized materials from the stopes in the 8600 area of the PTH tunnel for testing and evaluation purposes, and has identified several targets within those workings. In April



9




2001, Unico began limited exploration activities which were concentrated in the 3400 area of the mine until underground exploration activities temporarily stopped in October 2003. Unico transferred all rights and obligations to the Deer Trail Mining Company in June 2004. Deer Trail Mining Company purchased the claims in July 2007, and is the current owner and operator of the Deer Trail Mine. Deer Trail Mining Company resumed underground exploration activities at the Deer Trail Mine in late 2004.  Underground exploration activities have focused on infrastructure improvements during this past fiscal year along with continuing the exploration and testing of mineralized areas.


Following is a map of the area where the Deer Trail Mine is located along with a map of the claims owned by the Deer Trail Mining Company, LLC.


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10





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11




Deer Trail Mine Geological Information


The Deer Trail mine workings expose westerly dipping sedimentary rocks of three units: the Toroweap and Queantoweap Formations and the Callville Limestone. The Deer Trail mineralized area is in the lower part of the Toroweap Formation and consists of a nearly continuous group of semiconcordant replacement bodies flanking a central vein. About half of this mineralized area is exposed in the Old Deer Trail mine workings and is oxidized; the other half is located in the 8600 area workings and consists of unoxidized sulphide mineralized material. The Queantoweap Formation, which underlies the Toroweap, is a quartzite and hosts no known mantos. The underlying Callville Limestone contained the 3400 mineralized area.


The Toroweap Formation exposed in the 8600 area consists of a wide range of interbedded lithologies, including quartzite, limestone, dolomite, shale, and chert, which form 50 or more recognizable units ranging in thickness from a inch to several feet. In contrast, the underlying Queantoweap Sandstone consists of a fairly uniform medium-grained, well-sorted massive quartzite.


The Calville Limestone in the Deer Trail mine lacks marker beds, and lithologic facies change rapidly. The rocks are cut by several faults of unknown displacement. The marked lateral variations in lithology have made it possible to identify only seven correatable stratigraphic assemblages. The upper 240 feet of the Callville Limestone in the 3400 area consists dominantly of mudstones containing quartz silt, evaporite nodules, and sponge spicules. Below 240 feet, dolomite containing microfossils and peloids is abundant and evaporites are absent. In the 8600 area, the Callville has been observed in drill core and there it contains thick beds of course-grained anhydrite.


The Toroweap Formation in the mine area strikes generally north-south and dips 201 W. The Deer Trail mineralized area rakes across this inclination with a bearing of N 701 W, so the average plunge of the mineralized zone into Deer Trail Mountain is about 181.


The mantos in the Old Deer Trail mine workings closely followed the axis of the Deer Trail anticline, a relationship that was used to guide development. In the 8600 area, however, the mantos and the anticline axis diverge and the deepest workings are about 1500 feet apart.


The Deer Trail mineralized area consists of a semicontinuous group of narrow, elongate strata-bound replacement bodies developed adjacent to a central vein. The mineralized area has a sinuous ribbon like shape in plain view and has been mined for a length of approximately 5,525 feet over a width averaging 32 to 38 feet and a height averaging about 15 to 30 feet.


A set of cross faults that trends east-northeast and dip steeply to the north are exposed in the mine workings in the 8600 area. These have an aggregate stratigraphic throw of about 150 feet, down to the north. One of these faults is the 18 Drift fault or 18 North fault. These faults are now occupied by quartz veins as much as 15 feet thick that contain substantial quantities of lead, zinc, arsenic, silver, gold, copper and molybdennum. The 18 north fault consists of quartz with good values in gold, silver and copper with very little other metals which could possibly be marketed to smelters as a flux.


No Reserves - None of the Deer Trail Mines has ever had measured or indicated ore reserves as currently defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission.  All four companies that previously conducted mining operations between the periods of 1878 and 1980 simply “followed the mineralized area” or its projected trend (Table 1).  This method was undertaken at the Upper (Old) Mine from 1878 to 1942 and in the Lower (New) Mine from 1945 to 1980.  Production at the former was terminated by Presidential Order because of World War II while exploitation of the latter ceased due to the precipitous and prolonged price decline of precious metals. In both cases there was no lack of prominent mineralization.  The advent of much higher metal prices, particularly with regard to silver and gold, now makes potential mining of the Deer Trail Mine more attractive.  However, the grade and tonnage of the extensions need to be documented with modern methods such as core drilling and re-sampling of the drifts in order to establish any reserves.


TABLE 1 – SUMMARY OF MOST PRODUCTIVE PERIODS OF THE UPPER (OLD)

AND LOWER (NEW) DEER TRAIL MINE, PIUTE COUNTY, UTAH


MINE

FROM

TO

TONNAGE

AU

AG

ZN

PB

CU

Upper Deer Trail Mine (8)

1918

1923

138,000

1.380 opt

11.49 opt

NA

3.26%

NA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3400 Area Lower Deer Trail Mine

1945

1962

 12,226 of 25,600

0.171 opt

11.61 opt

7.45%

2.96%

0.52%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8600 Area Lower Deer Trail Mine (1)

1964

1980

100,000

0.100 opt

15.00 opt

12.00%

5.00%

0.60%

  

Methods for delineating the stratabound mineralization ahead of the respective working faces has historically primarily been limited to following visible mineralization in successive rounds of blasting and mucking.  However, this has been augmented by considerable longhole and up-hole percussion drilling.



12




Milling Facilities - In 2000, Unico purchased approximately 680 acres of raw ground located in Piute County, State of Utah adjacent to the existing Deer Trail Mine property for the purpose of establishing a mill site on the property and to use as a place to store waste rock from mining operations, and for other general mining and business purposes.  In 2000 Unico began constructing a 250 ton/day floatation mill at the old town site of Alunite to process mineralized areas from both the 3400 and 8600 Areas of the mine.  The facility was completed in 2007 and was active until mid-January 2009 when activities were temporarily suspended.


Exploitation of The Upper and Lower Deer Trail Mines


Upper Deer Trail Mine


Upper Mine Geological Justification - The Upper (Old) Deer Trail Mine is hosted by the Permian Toroweap Sandstone and lies about 800 feet above the Pennsylvanian Callville Limestone that hosts the Lower (New) Deer Trail Mine.  Intervening between these two mineralized formations is the Permian Queantoweap Sandstone which carries no known mineralization.  This supergene gold-bearing oxide deposit has been incompletely exploited by over 6,900 feet of workings contained in a 3,300 foot long X 300 feet wide and 30 feet thick.  The latter two dimensions average 30 to 50 feet wide and 15 to 30 feet high (Beaty et al, 1986).  The workings exploited a series of inter-connected iron and manganese oxide manto-type mineralized areas whose original continuity is locally disrupted by several east-northeasterly-trending internal faults with relatively small displacement.  The distribution of the mantos here appears to be related to the axis of a northwesterly-trending anticline that plunges at an angle slightly greater than the regional dip of about 20º to the northwest.  


The Upper Deer Trail Mine’s primary period of production was from its discovery in 1878 though 1927.   Subsequent lesser efforts extended through 1942.  Production records from 1878 to 1917 indicate that metals with a contemporaneous value of $150,000 were extracted from approximately 10,000 tons of mineralized materials (Butler, et al, p. 557; Beaty, et al, 1986). Later from 1918 to 1923, 138,000 tons of mineralized materials averaging 1.38 opt gold, 11.49 opt silver, and 3.26 percent lead was mined from the Upper (Old) Deer Trail Mine (Callaghan, 1973 and Table 1).  However, zinc and copper were not recovered (Beaty et al, 1986, p. 1933; Bennett, 2000).   


Upper Mine Current Extraction Plan - Extreme high-grading of the deposit took place because of the mine’s relatively remote location and need to maximize the value/ton of mineralized materials as well as to reduce transportation cost; the cut-off grade was reportedly 0.5 opt Au. Thus a considerable amount of material that was formerly considered waste but that is now economic at 2010 prices remains in the workings as both un-mined wallrock and mineralized coarse back-fill (gob).  


Lower Deer Trail Mine


Lower Mine Geological Justification - Extensive mining of laterally extensive silver and gold-bearing zinc-lead-cupper-rich sulphide beds (mantos) has been conducted within two separate areas of the Lower (New) Deer Trail Mine over the past 63 years (1945-2008).  However, the main period of activity took place over an interval of 36 years from 1945 to 1971 and from 1976 to 1980.  The sulphide mineralization from both mantos has or will be processed by the on-site Deer Trail Mill.


1.

3400 Area Geological Justification – The 3400 Area of Lower (New) Deer Trail Mine is hosted in the Pennsylvanian Callville Limestone and is comprised of approximately 5,000 feet of development workings.  The mineralization has been developed on the same mineralized bed (manto) on each of the three levels that are 100 vertical feet apart.  However, core drilling in 2005 by the Deer Trail Mining Company indicates that it is but one of a series of over 30 stacked thin mantos that occur over a vertical interval of approximately 600 feet (Fig. 4 and 4a, 4b, & 4c).  These mantos are comprised by single or multiple mineralized layers that are generally 0.3 to 1.6 feet thick within 1.0 to 6.0 foot thick beds (Beaty, Rohtert, and McGrane, 1982; Beaty and Stegen, 1983; Beaty, et al, 1986).  The known mineralized bodies here are up to 250 feet wide, 4,200 feet long, and open down-dip (Beaty, Rohtert, and McGrane, 1982).  Later work by Behre Dolbear (2007) documents that composite mantos commonly occur over intervals of 2.0 to 10.0 feet that locally range up to potentially mineable intervals of 30 feet.  These extend over 1,300 feet from at least the 3100 Area to the 4400 Area of the mine.  


The 3400 Area contains the oldest stopes of the Lower Mine.  It was mined on three levels primarily between 1945 and 1962 and briefly in 1981.  Production statistics providing insight into its overall grade only exist for about half of the estimated 25,600 tons mined (Table 3).  Weight-averaged calculations performed in August 2008 by the Deer Trail Mining Company using Concentrator Return Settlement Sheets document that approximately 48% (12,226 tons) of the estimated 25,600 tons apparently selectively mined during six separate years between 1945 to 1981 averaged 0.171 opt Au, 11.61 opt Ag, 7.45 percent Zn, 2.96 percent Pb, and 0.52 percent Cu.  More recently bulk mining by the Deer Trail Mining Company undertaken from 2002 to 2004 yielded 2,000 tons averaging 0.055 opt gold, 8.40 opt silver, 1.65 percent zinc, 1.58 percent lead, 0.289 percent copper.



13




 

TABLE 3 – KNOWN 3400 AREA PRODUCTION, LOWER (NEW) DEER TRAIL MINE,

PIUTE COUNTY, UTAH (DOCUMENTED BY DEER TRAIL MINING COMPANY, 2008).


YEAR

TONNAGE

AU

AG

CU

PB

ZN

ZN/PB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1945

5,000 tons

0.190 opt

15.17 opt

0.76%

2.84%

6.26%

2.2/1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1946-1959

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1960

370 tons

0.170 opt

10.46 opt

1.19%

2.03%

9.01%

4.4/1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1961

2,199 tons

0.190 opt

7.42 opt

0.29%

2.78%

10.86%

3.9/1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1962

1,209 tons

0.060 opt

7.50 opt

0.22%

4.04%

4.71%

1.2/1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1963-1980

No Prod

8600

Area

Only

Mined

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1981

3,048 tons

0.190 opt

11.08 opt

0.36%

3.18%

8.78%

2.8/1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1982-2001

No Prod

Extended

Period  of

Depressed

Metal

Prices

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2002

500 tons

Not in total

or wgt avgs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003

500 tons

Not in total

or wgt avgs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2004

500 tons

0.055 opt

8.40 opt

0.29%

1.58%

1.65%

1.0/1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2005-2007

No Prod

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008

500 tons

Not in total

or wgt avgs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wgt Avg

12,326 tons

0.171 opt

11.61 opt

0.52%

2.96%

7.45%

2.6/1


2.

8600 Area Geological Justification –The 8600 Area is the more newly developed portion of the Lower (New) Deer Trail Mine and was exploited from 1964 and 1980.  It constitutes the down-faulted northwesterly extension of the Upper (Old) Deer Trail Mine Au-Ag-Zn-Pb-Cu blanket-type (manto) mineralized body; both mines are hosted by the Permian Toroweap Sandstone.  The 8600 Area segment is +2,300 foot long X 20 to 100 foot wide X 10 to 40 foot thick segment of the deposit and is comprised by unoxidized zinc, lead, and silver sulphides whereas the 3,300 foot long portion in the Upper (Old) Deer Trail Mine the former minerals have been completely converted to iron, manganese, zinc, and lead oxides.  The 8600 Area sulphide portion of the mineralization is comprised by a group of closely related mantos that flank a northwesterly-trending, steeply dipping limonitized vein known as the Red Fissure. Individual mantos are strata-bound and are as much as 10 feet thick; ore minerals are massive in nature. The mineralization is typically thickest at its intersection with the near-vertical structure.  The largest individual Toroweap-hosted manto observed to date in the 8600 Area is more than 600 feet long, 60 feet wide, and 10 feet thick (Beaty, et al 1986; Deer Trail Mining Company Mine Maps, 2008).  The latter two dimensions constitute the working face when mining operations ceased by the end of 1980 due to poor economic conditions (personal communication, Dr. Richard Kennedy, 2006).


A total of 100,000 tons of un-oxidized sulphide mineralized materials were produced from the 8600 Area from 1964 to 1980 (Table 1); it averaged and 0.100 opt gold, 15.00 opt silver, 12.0 percent zinc, 5.0 percent lead, and 0.6 percent copper (Beaty et al, 1986, p. 1933; Bennett, 2000).  Behre Dolbear’s (2007) independent compilation on the tonnage and grades produced during the same period largely corroborates the previously reported figures. Their work yielded 66,800 tons averaging 0.099 opt Au, 10.80 opt Ag, 12.76 percent Zn, 7.74 percent Pb, and 0.21 percent Cu; details for individual years are listed in Table 4.



14





TABLE 4 - KNOWN 8600 AREA PRODUCTION, LOWER (NEW) DEER TRAIL MINE - 1964 to 1980

(INDEPENDENTLY DOCUMENTED BY BEHRE DOLBEHR, 2007a).


YEAR

TONNAGE

GOLD

SILVER

COPPER

LEAD

ZINC

ZN/PB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1963

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1964

15,119 tons

0.170 opt

5.74 opt

0.04%

5.74%

10.00%

1.7/1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1965

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1966

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1967

8,876 tons

0.150 opt

11.13 opt

0.15%

7.40%

14.20%

1.9/1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1968

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1969 & 1970

31,798 tons

0.075 opt

15.23 opt

0.38%

9.27%

15.86%

1.7/1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1971-1976

No Prod

Midvale

Mill

Closed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1976

Unknown

0.050 opt

9.30 opt

0.22

9.30%

10.40%

1.1/1

1976

~100 tons

0.051 opt

15.50 opt

NA

14.50%

26.60%

1.8/1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1977

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

 

1977 (4 days)

224.4

0.040 opt

8.69 opt

0.15%

9.58%

1.56%

0.16/1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1978

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1979

6,199

0.026 opt

4.50 opt

0.12%

4.90%

7.20%

1.5/1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1980

4,487

0.032 opt

4.60 opt

0.15%

4.10%

5.30%

1.3/1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1981

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1982-2001

No Prod

Extended

Period  of

Depressed

Prices

Metal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2002-2007

No Prod

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wgt Avg

66,803 tons

0.099 opt

10.80 opt

0.21%

7.47%

12.76%

1.7/1


8600 Area Current Extraction Plan –The re-development of the 8600 Area is currently being planned and once funds are available, the grade and tonnage lying ahead of the 1980 working face ahead will be documented.  Subsequently, minimal rehabilitation of the workings will be implemented and a critical new escape-way (raise) mandated by MSHA regulations will be undertaken, and mining resumed.


Mill Tailings at Upper (Old) Deer Trail Mine - An estimated 80,300 to 132,540 tons of oxidized mill tailings are present at the site of the Upper (Old) Deer Trail Mine Millsite; grades average from 0.031 to 0.04 opt Au and 2.62 to 8.0 opt Ag (Unico, Inc. Internal Data, 2004; Behre Dolbear, 2007).  Behre Dolbear’s (2007) evaluation of the same historical data from 1990 and 1993 systematic sampling programs of the same material are summarized in the Table 5.  



15




TABLE 5 - SUMMARY OF TONNAGES, GRADES, AND CONTAINED OUNCES OF PRECIOUS METALS

OF 2007 EVALUATION AS COMPARED TO PREVIOUSLY REPORTED QUANTITIES –

UPPER (OLD) DEER TRAIL MINE TAILINGS, PIUTE COUNTY, UTAH (BEHRE DOLBEAR, 2007b)

(Behre Dolbear’s estimates for contained ounces of gold and silver were obtained by summing gridded values, not by multiplication of ounces and tons)


SOURCE

SHORT

 TONS

AVG

GOLD OPT

AVG

SILVER OPT

CONTAINED

GOLD

OUNCES

CONTAINED

SILVER

OUNCES

BD 2007 - Energy Fuels 1990

Lower (Natural Neighbor Est.)

80,300

0.031 opt

2.62 opt

2,500 oz

218,300 oz

 

 

 

 

 

 

BD 2007 - Energy Fuels 1990

Higher (Min. Curvature Est.)

102,500

0.031 opt

2.70 opt

3,100 oz

294,000 oz

 

 

 

 

 

 

BD 2007 - Ecology Mining 1993

Lower (Natural Neighbor Est.)

82,400

NA

NA

NA

NA

 

 

 

 

 

 

BD 2007 - Ecology Mining 1993

Higher – (Min. Curve Est)

103,400

NA

NA

NA

NA

 

 

 

 

 

 

1990 Energy Fuels Internal Est.

(Pratt to Andrus Memo)

132,540

0.031 opt

2.66 opt

NA

NA

 

 

 

 

 

 

2004 Wayne Ash Compilation

105,000

0.031 opt

2.85 opt

NA

NA

 

 

 

 

 

 

2002 Unico, Inc Compilation

123,000

0.040 opt

8.00 opt

NA

NA


Deer Trail Mine Mineral Resources


The resources have been outlined above. However, further efforts to increase the mineable resources of the mine are being explored. Deer Trail Mining Company completed phase one which included a reverse circulation exploratory drill program in the upper Deer Trail Mine area.  Deer Trail Mining Company also completed a second phase of underground diamond core drilling conducted in the PTH Tunnel of the Deer Trail Mine, which began in first quarter of 2005 to attempt to prove up reserves.  Deer Trail Mining Company is also evaluating ways to mine more efficiently in order to mine lower grade mineralized bodies economically. Deer Trail Mining Company is evaluating whether cyanide may be used in processing its mineralized materials. Deer Trail Mining Company acquired two heavy media separators. The heavy media separator is a method whereby low grade material can be upgraded underground. Areas left previously undeveloped in the mine due to the amount of waste rock between narrow mineralized beddings might effectively be produced by using heavy media separator technology.


The Deer Trail deposit is similar to many deposits in Utah, such as Tintic and Park City, where mine reserves were drilled approximately two years ahead of production due to the nature of the deposits and the costs involved in drilling out entire reserves before mining began. Exploration drilling has been conducted. Several prospective targets have been drilled from underground as the workings advance.


To date only two known mineralized horizons have been exploited. Deer Trail Mining Company believes the underlying formations contain very favorable horizons for mineralization, but they have yet to be tested. Deer Trail Mining Company believes the potential is excellent that more mineralization will be discovered.


Silver Bell Mine


In 2000, Unico acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of stock of Silver Bell Mining Company, Incorporated, a Utah corporation.  Silver Bell Mining Company, Incorporated was incorporated in the State of Utah on April 26, 1993. It has acquired the mineral rights to 26 patented mining claims located in American Fork Canyon, Utah County, Utah, which is organized into three separate parcels. The claims contain mining properties which have not been mined for production since 1983. The properties were mined primarily for silver, lead and zinc. There are no known, proven or probable reserves on the property.


The Silver Bell deposit was first discovered in 1871 by soldiers stationed at Fort Douglas in Salt Lake City. Mining was confined to select high grade mineralized materials averaging 100 ounces per ton in silver. The workings consisted of an adit and a winze and



16




mineralized materials were lowered down the mountain by means of a cable and rail system. The mine was enlarged to accommodate larger equipment in 1980 and some mineralized areas averaged 22 ounces in silver per ton of mineralized materials. The deposit consists of a single fissure or vein known as the Silver Bell fissure which averages six feet in width and dips to the NW at 62 degrees. It has been exposed for over 300 feet in depth and over 1,200 feet of strike length. Associated with the fissure several mineralized horizons (mantos) have been encountered. Independent sampling done by Watts, Grifiths, and McQuat and others demonstrate that the mantos are far richer than the vein mineralization with values as high as 120 ounces per ton silver. The deposit contains both oxide and sulphide mineralized materials rich in silver, lead, zinc and copper. The sulphide mineralization contains more values than the oxides. The mineralized system is located within the Maxfield cambrian limestone unit and extends down through the Ophir units into the Tintic Quartzite. There is presently an estimated resources of over 100,000 tons.


Silver Bell Mining Company conducted some exploration work on the Silver Bell Mine in Summer, 2003 through 2004.  Future exploration, if any, at the Silver Bell Mine will be conducted through Unico's subsidiary, Silver Bell Mining Company, Inc. Unico intends to focus its efforts on the Deer Trail Mine for the immediate future


Principal Offices


Our principal offices are located at 8880 Rio San Diego Drive, 8th Floor, San Diego, California 92108. We lease on a month-to-month basis.  We believe our office space is suitable for our needs for the foreseeable future.


ITEM 3.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS


On August 14, 2008, Unico shareholders Randall Sullivan, Barry Raykoske, and Jack Reilly filed a derivative lawsuit on behalf of Unico against Ray C. Brown, Kenneth C. Wiedrich, Mark A. Lopez, Shane Traveller, Javelin Advisory Group, Inc., and Unico (as a nominal defendant) in the Superior Court of the State of California, San Diego County Central Division (Case No. 37-2008-0008901-CU-PN-CTL).  The plaintiffs alleged that the named defendants breached fiduciary duties owed to Unico, and were negligent in the approval of certain financing transactions entered into on behalf of Unico.  The parties reached a settlement which was approved by the court, pursuant to which Unico’s insurance company paid $448,828 for attorney’s fees to Plaintiff’s counsel and $28,672 for reimbursement of expenses.  An incentive award of $7,500 was paid to each of the named plaintiffs.  Unico agreed to certain restrictions and limitations affecting Unico’s governance procedures, its ability to enter into financing transactions with certain persons, and restricting Unico from issuing its stock pursuant to Section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with settling debt arising from Unico financing activities.  A press release more fully describing the terms of the settlement has been published on Unico’s website at www.unicomining.com.  The court has approved the settlement and this litigation has concluded.


 On September 30, 2008, a lawsuit was filed by Cache Valley Electric Company against Unico, Incorporated in the Third Judicial District Court for Salt Lake County, State of Utah (Case No. 080921346) in which the plaintiff alleges that it provided goods and services to Unico in the amount of $191,615, for which it has not received payment.  The plaintiff alleges that Unico breached the contract by failing to pay for the goods and services, and is seeking a money judgment against Unico in the amount of $191,615 together with interest thereon at the statutory rate and court costs.  On March 2, 2009, a Default Judgment was entered against Unico in the amount of $216,291.  Unico subsequently entered into the Unico Incorporated Settlement Agreement, dated March 27, 2009 (“Settlement Agreement”).  The Settlement Agreement provides that Unico is to pay Cache Valley Electric Company $216,291 as follows: Unico is to make six monthly payments in the amount of $6,000 per month beginning April 25, 2009; six monthly payments of $10,000 per month beginning October 25, 2009; seven monthly payments of $15,000 per month; and a final monthly payment of $15,291.  The Settlement Agreement further provides that if the payments are made as set forth above, no further action will be taken against Unico.  If the payments are not received within a ten-day grace period following the respective due dates, the entire unpaid balance less any payments made will become due and payable immediately, and no rights as to the recovery of that amount, including  all legal fees, court costs, and interest due will have been waived by virtue of the Settlement Agreement.  The Settlement Agreement further provides that when the settlement amount is fully funded, Cache Valley Electric Company is to execute and file a Release of Judgment for the full amount of the claim.  Finally, the Settlement Agreement provides that if a Lien against Unico has been filed, Cache Valley Electric Company is to file a Release of Lien with the clerk of the Third Judicial District Court for Salt Lake County immediately upon receipt of the final payment.  Unico made payments under the settlement through November 2009, and is currently behind in its payment obligations under the settlement.


On or about January 5, 2009, a lawsuit was filed by Atlas Mining Company, an Idaho corporation, dba Atlas Fausett Contracting against Deer Trail Mining Company, LLC in the Sixth Judicial District Court for Piute County, State of Utah (Case No. 0090600001) in which the plaintiff alleged that it provided certain mine rehabilitation services and materials with respect to the Deer Trail Mine pursuant to a written contract for which it has not been paid.  The plaintiff alleged that Deer Trail Mining Company, LLC breached the contract by failing to pay for the services and materials, and sought a money judgment against Deer Trail Mining Company, LLC for at least $182,144 plus interest at 18% per annum, plus costs.  Plaintiff also sought a court order adjudging a mining lien filed by the plaintiff against the Deer Trail Mine on or about July 9, 2008 to be a good and sufficient lien on the Deer Trail Mine securing payment of the obligations under its contract with Deer Trail Mining Company, LLC, and ordering that the Deer Trail Mine be foreclosed and



17




sold by the sheriff of Piute County, with the sales proceeds being applied against the amount due and owing to plaintiff from the Deer Trail Mining Company, LLC and to the foreclosure costs.  Deer Trail Mining Company, LLC filed an Answer denying liability. The parties reached a settlement of the lawsuit on November 6, 2009, and the plaintiff has since been paid in full.  This litigation has been dismissed.


ITEM 4.

(REMOVED AND RESERVED)



PART II


ITEM 5.

MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER

MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES


Market Information


The Company’s common stock is traded on the OTCBB (Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board) under the symbol “UNCO”. The following table sets forth the trading history of the common stock on the Bulletin Board for each quarter during the last two fiscal years ended February 28, 2010, as reported by Dow Jones Interactive and/or Pink Sheets, LLC. The quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, markdown or commission and may not represent actual transactions.   The quotations have been adjusted to reflect the Company’s 1 for 500 reverse stock split that occurred June 30, 2008, as though the reverse stock split had occurred February 28, 2007.


Quarter Ending

 

Quarterly High

 

Quarterly Low

5/31/2008

$

.35

$

.20

8/31/2008

$

1.00

$

.02

11/30/2008

$

.21

$

.025

2/28/2009

$

.05

$

.004

5/31/2009

$

.003

$

.044

8/31/2009

$

.005

$

.03

11/30/2009

$

.0012

$

.0068

2/28/2010

$

.0002

$

.001


Based on its trading price, our common stock is considered a “penny stock” for purposes of federal securities laws, and therefore has been subject to certain regulations, which are summarized below.


The Securities Enforcement and Penny Stock Reform Act of 1990 requires special disclosure relating to the market for penny stocks in connection with trades in any stock defined as a “penny stock.”  Specifically, Rules 15g-1 through 15g-9 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) impose sales practice and disclosure requirements on NASD broker-dealers who make a market in a “penny stock.”  Securities and Exchange Commission regulations generally define a penny stock to be an equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share and is not listed on The NASDAQ SmallCap Stock Market or a major stock exchange. These regulations affect the ability of broker-dealers to sell the Company’s securities and also may affect the ability of purchasers of the Company’s common stock to sell their shares in the secondary market.


Under the penny stock regulations, a broker-dealer selling penny stock to anyone other than an established customer or “accredited investor,” generally, an individual with net worth in excess of $1,000,000 or an annual income exceeding $200,000, or $300,000 together with his or her spouse, must make a special suitability determination for the purchaser and must receive the purchaser’s written consent to the transaction prior to sale, unless the broker-dealer or the transaction is otherwise exempt. In addition, the penny stock regulations require the broker-dealer to deliver, prior to any transaction involving a penny stock, a disclosure schedule prepared by the Commission relating to the penny stock market, unless the broker-dealer or the transaction is otherwise exempt. A broker-dealer is also required to disclose commissions payable to the broker-dealer and the registered representative and current quotations for the securities. Finally, a broker-dealer is required to send monthly statements disclosing recent price information with respect to the penny stock held in a customer’s account and information with respect to the limited market in penny stocks.

  



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Holders of Record


As of May 25, 2010 there were approximately 628 holders of record of the Company’s common stock.  The Company believes it has approximately an additional 7,500 beneficial owners who hold shares through brokerage accounts and/or in street name.


Dividends


We have not paid any dividends during the last two fiscal years ended February 28, 2010, or since then. We currently intend to retain any earnings to finance the development and expansion of our operations and do not anticipate paying cash dividends or making any other distributions on our shares of common stock in the foreseeable future. Our future dividend policy will be determined by our board of directors on the basis of various factors, including our results of operations, financial condition, business opportunities and capital requirements.


Under Arizona state corporate law, no dividends may be paid if, after giving effect to the dividends, either: (a) Unico would not be able to pay its debts as they become due in the usual course of business; or (b) Unico's total assets would be less than the sum of its total liabilities plus, unless Unico's articles of incorporation provide otherwise, the amount that would be needed, if Unico were to be dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights on dissolution of shareholders whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the dividend.


Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities


From March 1, 2009 through February 28, 2010, Unico issued convertible debentures (“Debentures”) aggregating approximately $1,789,000 to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC that were unpaid, and of which $1,087,500 are presently in default.  The Debentures provide that the principal amount and accrued interest are convertible, at the option of the holders of the Debentures, into shares of Unico’s common stock at a price per share equal to 50% of the closing bid price of Unico’s common stock as quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board on the immediately preceding trading day prior to the notice of conversion.


From March 1, 2009 through February 28, 2010, 2,836,956,605 shares of Unico’s common stock were issued in connection with the exercise of conversion rights by the holders of the Debentures, 34,833,333 shares of common were issued for cash, and 8,800,000 shares of common stock were issued for services.  All of these shares were issued in reliance on Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 for transactions not involving any public offering.  Certificates representing the shares were appropriately restricted, except as removal of the restricted legend was permitted under Rule 144(b)(1).   


For information concerning sales of shares of Unico's Common Stock by Unico which were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 during the prior fiscal years ended February 28, 2009 and February 29, 2008 please refer to Unico's annual reports on Form 10-K or 10-KSB for the fiscal years ended February 28, 2009, and February 29, 2008, respectively, and to Unico’s quarterly reports on Form 10-QSB or Form 10-Q for the quarters ended May 31, 2009 and 2008, August 31, 2009 and 2008 and November 30, 2009 and 2008.


Equity Compensation Plans


For information concerning the Company’s Independent Director Compensation Plan, see Item 11. Executive Compensation - Compensation pursuant to plans; pension table in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


The Company currently has no other approved compensation plans under which equity securities of the Company are authorized for issuance.


ITEM 6.

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA


A smaller reporting company is not required to provide the information specified by this item.




19




ITEM 7.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


The following information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K.


During the next 12 months, the Company’s plan of operation is to raise additional funds for investment into its subsidiary Deer Trail Mining Company. Depending on the actual level of funding obtained, the following activities are planned:


·

Development, exploration and operating activities to recommence production at upper Deer Trail Mine;

·

Installation of processing circuit, including tailings ponds, permits and upgrades to the primary circuit;

·

Research and testing to obtain 43-101 technical report;

·

Underground rehabilitation of the lower Deer Trail Mine 8600 area, including upgrades to electrical and mine drifting to support exploration;

·

Initial exploration program for the lower Deer Trail Mine 8600 area;

·

Additional exploration of the lower Deer Trail Mine 3400, 4400 and 6600 areas;

·

Research and testing on the Mississippian Redwall Limestone area;

·

Research on the Deer Trail Mine Porphyry..


Accomplishing the 12-month plan of operations is dependent on: (a) the Company raising approximately $8,380,000 in new equity.  Subsequent to the fiscal year ending February 28, 2010, the Company received $201,500 through the issuance of new convertible debentures to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC.  The new debentures were issued with terms of 180 days, bear interest at the rate of 8% per annum, and are convertible by the holder into shares of the Company’s common stock at a discount of 50% of the closing bid price on the date of conversion.  The Company intends to raise approximately an additional $8,178,500 during the fiscal year ending February 28, 2011 to fulfill the 12-month plan.


Liquidity and Capital Resources  


The Company’s financial statements present an impairment in terms of liquidity. As of February 28, 2010 the Company had $23,381 in current assets and $19,335,990 in current liabilities.  As of February 28, 2010 the Company’s total liabilities exceeded total assets by approximately $13,033,746.  The Company has accumulated approximately $71,010,758 of net operating losses through February 28, 2010, which may be used to reduce taxes in future years through 2030. The use of these losses to reduce future income taxes will depend on the generation of sufficient taxable income prior to the expiration of the net operating loss carry-forwards.  The potential tax benefit of the net operating loss carry-forwards have been offset by a valuation allowance of the same amount. The Company’s auditors have included a “going concern” footnote in the Company’s financial statement indicating that the Company has not yet established any revenues with which to cover the Company’s operating costs and to allow the Company to continue as a going concern.  Management believes that the Company will soon be able to generate revenues sufficient to cover its operating costs.  


The flotation circuit of the mill has been completed but additional funds are required to complete the tailings pond and other processes before full scale production can begin.  In the event that the Company is not able to raise the capital needed to get into full production, there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.


The Company’s stockholders’ deficit increased $591,665 in the year ended February 28, 2010, from a deficit of ($12,442,081) as of February 29, 2009 to a deficit of ($13,033,746) as of February 28, 2010.  


The Company’s cash account as of February 28, 2010 was overdrawn by $868, but as explained above, the Company has raised $201,500 through the issuance of convertible debentures since February 28, 2010 to sustain operations.  As explained above, the Company needs to raise approximately $8,178,500 following the filing of this report to be able to implement the Company’s 12-month plan of operations.  No assurance can be given that the Company will be able to raise the needed funds, or that such funds could be raised on terms acceptable to the Company.  Most of the funds raised during the last year by Unico have been raised through the issuance of debentures that permit the debenture holder to convert the debentures into shares of the Company’s common stock at 50% of the then existing bid price.  Two of the Company’s directors purchased a total of 34,833,333 restricted shares for which they paid a total of $16,000.  The Company anticipates that future funding may occur on better terms than through issuance of debentures at a 50% discount, but no assurance can be given that adequate funding will be available on such terms, if at all.



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Results of Operations


Unico reported no revenues for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2010.  Unico reported no revenues for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2009.  Unico anticipates that it will begin to generate revenues from mining operations in the fiscal year ending February 28, 2011.


Unico incurred total operating expenses of $2,780,601during the fiscal year ended February 28, 2010, an increase of $498,941 from the total operating expenses of $2,281,660 incurred during the fiscal year ended February 29, 2009.  The increase was primarily attributed to an increase of $165,420 in depreciation and accretion, an increase of $97,808 in professional fees, and an increase in general and administrative expense of $482,699, partially offset by a decrease of $151,486 in salaries and wages and a decrease of $95,500 in drilling, exploration and maintenance expense due to operations being cut back when the Company was unable to sell the concentrates that had been produced.


During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2010, Unico incurred interest expense of $3,008,715, a decrease of $31,921 from the $3,040,636 of interest expense incurred during the fiscal year ended February 29, 2009. The Company attributes the decrease in interest expense in the later period, to a decrease in the amount of convertible debentures issued for the current period compared to the prior period.  Gain on settlement of debt was $18,399 in the fiscal year ended February 28, 2010, an increase of $18,399 from the $0 gain on settlement of debt incurred in the fiscal year ended February 29, 2009.  The increase in the settlement of debt was based on settling amounts owed to two different companies for a lesser amount than what was originally owed.


For the year ended February 28, 2010 the Company had a net loss of $5,757,265, or approximately ($0.01) per share, attributable to ongoing operations.  Of this loss $3,008,715 was attributable to interest expense from financing operations.  For the year ended February 28, 2009, the Company incurred a loss of $5,316,462, which included $3,040,636 in interest expense from financing operations.  The net loss incurred during the year ended February 28, 2010 was $440,803 more than the net loss incurred in the prior fiscal year.  The over all increase in loss being due to stock awards given to Deer Trail personnel and stock award given to one of the Directors.

 

Defaults Upon Senior Securities.


As of February 28, 2010 the Company had $7,417,468 of convertible debentures that were due and payable.  Of this amount, $6,715,969 is in default and is due to the following:


Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

$

5,568,416

Joseph Lopez

114,466

Ray Brown

403,956

C. M. Anderson

75,000

Others

554,131

Total in default

$

6,715,969


 Of the remaining debentures that are due and payable, $50,000 defaulted in March, 2010, $122,000 defaulted in April, 2010, and $210,000 defaulted in May, 2010.  


The Company has also recorded a liability for the 20% to 50% discount conversion rights of the debentures.  As of February 28, 2010 the total liability of the beneficial conversion for the debentures is $7,313,786 and the total liability for the interest portion of the beneficial conversion is $1,346,445.


ITEM 7A.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK


A smaller reporting company is not required to provide the information specified by this item.


ITEM 8.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA


See the financial statements annexed to this report.





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ITEM 9.

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE


Not applicable.


ITEM 9A.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES


Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures


Under the supervision of the Board of Directors and with the participation of management, Mark A. Lopez, acting as our chief executive officer, and Kenneth C. Wiedrich, acting as our chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”), as of February 28, 2010. Based on this evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective and did not identify all data that was  to be record to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the applicable rules and forms and that such information was accumulated and communicated to our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, in a manner that allowed for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  Journal entries to record stock awards were not initially recorded and adjusting entries were made during the audit process to correct this oversight.  Management has implemented a review process of all board minutes on a monthly basis to insure that all items are accounted for.   


We maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the required time periods and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  The effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures is subject to certain limitations, including the exercise of judgment in designing, implementing, and evaluating the controls and procedures, the assumptions used in identifying the likelihood of future events, and the inability to eliminate improper conduct completely.  A controls system, no matter how well designed and operated, cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the controls system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.  As a result, there can be no assurance that our disclosure controls and procedures will detect all errors or fraud.


Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting


Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act.  Our internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  Because of inherent limitations, a system of internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance of achieving their control objectives.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate due to change in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.


Based upon this evaluation our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, has concluded that our internal controls over financial reporting were not effective as of February 28, 2010. Journal entries were not made on a timely basis for actions taken by the board of directors.   Procedures have been implemented by management to insure that all actions taken by the board are accounted for.  


During the quarter ended February 28, 2010, there has been no change in our internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.


This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting.  Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the SEC that permit the Company to provide only the management’s report in this annual report.


ITEM 9B.

OTHER INFORMATION


Not applicable.



22





PART III


ITEM 10.

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE


The executive officers and directors of the Company as of May 28, 2010 are as follows:


Name

Age

Position

Mark A. Lopez   

46

CEO and Director

Kenneth Wiedrich

63

Chief Financial Officer

Charles Madsen

33

Executive Vice President

C. Wayne Hartle

73

Secretary and Director

Edward E. Winders

67

Chairman of the Board of Director

Stephen. R. Brown

56

Director

Ernest H. Kuhn

58

Director

David A. Gillespie

49

Director

Nova D. Pack

61

Director


Each director of the Company serves for a term of one year and until his successor is elected at the Company's annual shareholders' meeting and is qualified, subject to removal by the Company's shareholders.  Two of the directors are elected by the holders of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock.  Each officer serves, at the pleasure of the board of directors, for a term of one year and until his successor is elected at the annual meeting of the board of directors and is qualified.


Currently, there is no arrangement, agreement or understanding between management and non-management stockholders under which non-management stockholders may directly or indirectly participate in or influence the management of our affairs. Present management openly accepts and appreciates any input or suggestions from stockholders.  However, the board is elected by the stockholders and the stockholders have the ultimate say in who represents them on the board.  There are no agreements or understandings for any officer or director to resign at the request of another person and none of the current offers or directors are acting on behalf of, or will act at the direction of any other person.


The business experience for at least the last five years of each of the persons listed above is as follows:


Mark A. Lopez has served as chief executive officer of Unico, Incorporated and as a co-manager of two of Unico's subsidiaries, Deer Trail Mining Company, LLC and Bromide Basin Mining Company, LLC, since September 7, 2004. He has served as a director of Unico since December 2009.  He served as a consultant to Unico from September 2003 until September 2004 when he became CEO. Mr. Lopez has served as a vice president of investments for Ashton Capital Management, Inc., a securities broker dealer, from December 2001. He has been licensed as a registered investment advisor since November, 2001. Mr. Lopez served as a general securities principal for American Pacific Securities, Inc. (formerly known as Sy Leavitt Company, Inc.) from June 1996 through December 2001. He served as a co-manager of KM Income Properties LLC, a real estate investment company, from June 1998 through May 2000. He served as a registered investment advisor with Centurion Capital Management, LLC from October 1998 until February 2001. He also served as a licensed life and disability insurance agent with Alliance Financial Investment Services, Inc. from June 1994 until May 2000.


Kenneth Wiedrich has served as the chief financial officer of Unico since April 2007.  Mr. Wiedrich has over 33 years of experience in operational accounting and finance functions in a variety of businesses within the service, construction and manufacturing industries. Mr. Wiedrich has experience in the use of several automated accounting systems including MAS90, Peachtree, and QuickBooks. Mr. Wiedrich has experience with governmental cost accounting methods and related government acquisition regulations. In his capacity as the Chief Financial Officer for RI-Tech, Inc. (1990-2003), he was responsible for the day–to-day administrative functions of the company as well as all accounting and financial aspects of the business. Mr. Wiedrich was involved in raising money through private placement and long-term financing for Ri-Tech.  From 2003 to 2007, Mr. Wiedrich served as Controller for Javelin Advisory Group, Inc.


Charles J. Madsen, Mr. Madsen has served as an Executive Vice President of Unico since August, 2009, and has been employed by Unico in various capacities since May of 1999.   Mr. Madsen has over 10 years of experience related to the following: hands-on mill design and construction experience, mining and mineral processing, supply and equipment procurement, expediting, and personnel scheduling.  He also has an intimate knowledge of the historical development and mining of the Upper and Lower Deer Trail Mines.  Mr. Madsen has primary responsibility for the Safety Program on the Deer Trail Mine property and is an MSHA-certified trainer.  




23




C. Wayne Hartle has served as the secretary of Unico since 1990.   Mr. Hartle served as a director of Unico from 1990 until July, 2004 and again from May 2007 to the present.  Mr. Hartle is now retired. Mr. Hartle is the former chief financial officer of Energy and Corrosion Research Company from 1979 to 1981. Mr. Hartle received a degree from Henagers Business College in Salt Lake City, Utah.


Edward E. Winders has been a director of Unico since April, 2009.  He is a professional with over 35 years of high level executive management experience. Dr. Winders, who holds a Ph.D. in Political Science has substantial experience as a Board member and as a senior executive with for-profit firms over his long and distinguished career. In those roles, Dr. Winders was instrumental in developing and implementing strategies and plans for companies facing serious financial challenges, turning them into successful operations. He has played major roles in administrative, planning, financial and business development.


Most recently, Dr. Winders was President and CEO of Transnational Public Policy Advisors (TPPA), an international development firm that provided consultancy and training in 15 countries throughout the world focusing on leadership development, coalition building, civil society development and microenterprise and small business initiatives. In June of last year, he merged TPPA with Voices for Global Change, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that specializes in micro-enterprise development and institution and capacity building in transitional countries in Africa and Asia and was named Chair of that organization.


In the various corporate positions that Dr. Winders has held including high-level positions in state and local government in his home state of New York, Dr. Winders developed policies and procedures that optimized employee participation, strengthened performance and morale, measured and evaluated productivity, and improved the quality of work with the end result of more effectively achieving and strengthening an organization's cohesiveness and outputs and goals.


Stephen R. Brown, age 56, has been a director of Unico since December 2009.  He has been a principal scientist at New England Research from 1997 through the present and a Visiting Scientist in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology from September, 2009 to the present.  He was formerly a Senior Scientist at Applied Research Associates (1996-1997), a member of the Technical Staff at Sandia National Laboratories (1987-1996), a member of the Professional Staff at Schlumberger-Doll Research (1985-1987), and a post-doctoral fellow at Los Alamos National Laboratory (1984-1985).  He was an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Dartmouth College (2000-2006).  He currently is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Geology and Geophysics at the University of Utah (1987-present).  His former professional involvements include being a member of the NAS/NRC Committee on Fracture Characterization and Fluid Flow and a member of the Board of Directors of the American Rock Mechanic’s Association.  Dr. Brown is the son of Ray C. Brown, Unico’s former Chairman of the Board of Directors.


Ernest H. Kuhn, age 58, has been a director of Unico since December 2009.  He is a Certified Public Accountant.  From July 2007 through January 2010, Mr. Kuhn has served as Chief Financial Officer of Tilley Exploration and Development Company, a company in the business of precious metals mining.  From June 2006 through June 2007, Mr. Kuhn served as a controller at NAI Utah Commercial Real Estate Services.  From August 1981 through June 2006, Mr. Kuhn worked in various church departments and subsidiaries, most notably at Property Reserve Inc., a real estate arm of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where he held various positions including finance manager from May 1994 through June 2006, Data Processing Manager from January 1992 through May 1994 and Chief Accounting Officer from February 1985 through January 1992.  

David A. Gillespie, age 49, has been a director of Unico since December 2009.  He has served as President of DAG Associates, LLC, a specialty consulting firm providing strategic advisory services and contract negotiation support to utility and public sector clients, from May 2006 through the present.  Mr. Gillespie served as the President, Chief Executive Officer and as a Director of New Generation Biofuels Holdings, Inc., from October 2006 through March 2009, an early stage enterprise (traded on NASDAQ) formed to commercialize a proprietary technology for the manufacture of vegetable oil – based renewable fuel.  From 1998 through May 2006, Mr. Gillespie worked at Duke Energy Corporation, where he served as Vice President of Business Development and Asset Management from July 2001 through May 2006.  Prior to that, from 1998 through June 2001, he served as the senior director of Asset Management for Duke Energy Corporation.


Nova Dean Pack, age 61, has been a director of Unico since March 2010.  He is an attorney at law as a member of the State Bar of California. Mr. Pack graduated from the Pepperdine University School of Law in July 1974. Mr. Pack also taught law school as an adjunct professor for four years at the American College of Law in Orange County, California. Mr. Pack has been in full time private practice as an Attorney at Law since December 1974 with current offices in Colton, California. Mr. Pack is a transactional attorney and specializes in business, corporate law, asset protection, estate planning, investment counseling, and tax planning, and has handled numerous transactions over the years in asset acquisitions, real estate, purchases/sales of businesses and options. Mr. Pack has had extensive litigation experience, handling thousands of cases over the past 35 years. The litigation cases ranged from personal injuries to business litigation. Mr. Pack has years of experience as counsel to business owners regarding start up requirements, strategies for expansion, business compliance requirements and capital acquisitions.  Mr. Pack has represented a bank, securities firm, and an insurance company regarding their corporate and licensed activities.    





24




Significant Employees


Other important employees of Unico include the following:


Wayne M. Ash – Has Serve as a consultant to Unico since 2003 and as President of Unico from 2003 to 2009.  From 1986 to the present, Mr. Ash has served as president of Ash & Associates Consulting Ltd. Mr. Ash has evaluated over 100 mineral prospects and potential mining properties in Canada, the United States, Latin America and Asia.  Mr. Ash has 46 years of wide-ranging international experience as a professional mining engineer, and manager of engineering and geology, manager of operations for base and precious metal mines.  In his early years Mr. Ash worked as an underground and open pit miner including Shift Boss.  Countries in which he has conducted major projects as both an employee and consultant include Canada, United States, Indonesia, Mexico, Central America, and South America.   His work includes simultaneous planning for as many as eight mines, safety training, underground mine design and development, reserve calculation, mill design and construction, and major feasibility and processing studies.  Some companies with which he has been associated include Canadian Johns-Manville, Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting, Northair Mines, Adtec Mining Consultants, Candorado, and.  Mr. Ash holds respective Mining Technician and Mining Engineering degrees from the Haileybury School of Mines (Ontario) and Michigan Technological University.  In addition to serving as consultant to Unico, Inc. since 2003 and as President from 2003 to 2009,he is also been a Director of Mosquito Consolidated Gold Mines.


L. Alex Scarbrough, Jr., Chief Geologist – Mr. Scarbrough has 34 years experience as a hard minerals geologist and project manager.  Past projects include those located in 25 of the Lower 48 States, Alaska, and Ontario.  His primary background is in the generation and management of stratabound and stratiform base and precious metal deposits in carbonate, black shale, and metamorphic environments.  He has also worked extensively with various types of gold and Redbed-type copper deposits.   Mr. Scarbrough has held long-term positions of responsibility with some of the world's largest mining companies including BHP, Cominco, and Noranda.  He has also been employed by a host of other organizations including the following: Houston Oil & Minerals, Tenneco Minerals, Nicor Mineral Ventures, USMX, Savage Zinc, Colorado Geologic Survey, Behre Dolbear, and Inspiration Mining Corporation (Canada).  Mr. Scarbrough undertook both his undergraduate and graduate studies at what is now the University of Memphis from 1968-1975.


Dr. Edgar Blanco, Chief Metallurgist – Dr. Blanco will focus much of his attention on the mill and processing facility at the Deer Trail Mine. Included in his work at the facility will be development of the reagent schematic and mineral characteristics for the floatation circuit, and he will direct the implementation of adjustments that are necessary as testing phases at the facility are initiated. Prior to joining Deer Trail Mining Company, Mr. Blanco spent over a decade working in various positions with the Southern Peru Copper Corporation, including serving as supervisor of the chemical laboratory, concentrator, copper smelter bed minerals preparation and other departments of the corporation. Mr. Blanco has an extensive education and experience related to high temperature chemical processing and mineral processing and has supervised crews of 60 workers in three shifts. Mr. Blanco received his Bachelor of Science degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the Universidad Nacional Jorge Bas, in Peru, his Master of Science degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of San Agustin, Arequipa in Peru and is currently completing his Ph.D. in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Utah. Mr. Blanco is a member of the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society and the Society of Mining Metallurgy and Exploration. He has published several articles on metals concentrate processing.


Dean Misantoni, Consulting Mine Geologist - Mr. Misantoni has extensive experience in underground metals mines in over twenty-five years as a geologist, consulting geologist, senior geologist and related positions. Most recently, Mr. Misantoni served as senior geologist for the Sweet Home Mine in Alma, Colorado. In this capacity, he provided underground surveying, geologic mapping and modeling in a complex, narrow vein environment. In previous positions, Mr. Misantoni conducted geologic mapping and drill target generation over 100 square kilometer concession; was responsible for layout and implementation of underground core drilling program and subsequent reserve calculations; supervised geologic mapping, core logging and reserve calculations in a low sulfidation, epithermal vein district; and was involved in all phases, feasibility through production, of an underground gold mine. Mr. Misantoni graduated with a B.S. in Geology from Southern Illinois University and an M.S. in Economic Geology from Colorado State University.


Dr. Richard Kennedy, Consulting Geologist – Dr. Kennedy has been a consultant to UNICO since 1992. He acquired his B.S. and M.S. in Geology from Brigham Young University in 1960 and a PhD from the University of Arizona in 1963, specializing in Economic Geology, Petrology, Mineralogy and Structural Geology. Dr. Kennedy has worked as a Geologist and Consultant for Minex, Phelps Dodge Corporation, Cominco American, Inc., amongst others, and from 1964-1975 he was President of Minerals Exploration and Mining Co. and served on the Board of Directors of Mineral Energy, Inc. and Petro-Nuclear, Ltd. In 1963, Dr. Kennedy earned a Teaching Certificate from the University of Utah and has been a Professor of Geology at Southern Utah State College since 1977. In 1984, Dr. Kennedy was honored by Southern Utah State College as an 'Outstanding Educator.' Dr. Kennedy has many research credits to his name in the field of Geology and has published four papers on the geology of Utah and the southwest United States. He is currently a member of the Geological Society of America. Before his arrangement with UNICO, Dr. Kennedy was a consultant for the Deer Trail Development Corporation from 1964-1975.




25




Family Relationships


There are no family relationships between any directors or executive officers of Unico, either by blood or by marriage, with the exception that Charles J. Madsen, the Executive Vice President is married to a niece of Stephen R. Brown, a member of the Board of Directors.


Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings


 During the past five years, no present or former director, person nominated to become a director, executive officer, promoter or control person of Unico:


(1) was a general partner or executive officer of any business which filed a petition in bankruptcy or against which any bankruptcy petition was filed, either at the time of the bankruptcy or two years prior to that time; or


(2) was convicted in a criminal proceeding or named subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses); or


(3) was subject to any order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining him from or otherwise limiting his involvement in the following activities:


(i) Acting as a futures commission merchant, introducing broker, commodity trading advisor, commodity pool operator, floor broker, leverage transaction merchant, any other person regulated by the Commodity Futures Commission, or an associated person of any of the foregoing, or as an investment adviser,  underwriter, broker or dealer in securities, or as an affiliated person, director or employee of any investment company, bank, savings and loan association or insurance company, or engaging in or continuing any conduct or practice in connection with such activity;


(ii) Engaging in any type of business practice; or


(iii) Engaging in any activity in connection with the purchase or sale of any security or commodity or in connection with any violation of Federal or State securities laws or Federal commodities laws; or


(4) was the subject of any order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any Federal or State authority barring, suspending or otherwise limiting for more than 60 days the right of such person to engage in any activity described in paragraph (3)(i) above, or to be associated with persons engaged in any such activity; or


(5) was found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the Securities and Exchange Commission to have violated any Federal or State securities law, and the judgment in such civil action or funding by the Commission has not been subsequently reversed, suspended, or vacated; or


(6) was found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated any Federal commodities law, and the judgment in such civil action or finding by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has not been subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated.


Meetings


During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2010 the Board of Directors met on seven occasions-  Each incumbent Director attended at least 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors in person or by telephone conference.


Compensation of Directors


For information concerning the Company’s Independent Director Compensation Plan and the compensation of the Company’s Board of Directors, see Item 11. Executive Compensation - Compensation pursuant to plans; pension table and Item 11. Executive Compensation - Compensation of Directors in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.




26




Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Act of 1934


Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires Unico's executive officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent (10%) of a registered class of Unico's equity securities, to file an initial report of ownership on Form 3 and changes in ownership on Form 4 or 5 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Such officers, directors and ten percent (10%) shareholders are also required by the SEC rules to furnish Unico with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.


Based solely on its review of the copies of such forms received by it, or written representations from certain reporting persons that no Forms 5 were required for such persons, Unico believes that its executive officers, directors and ten percent (10%) shareholders complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to them during the fiscal year ended February 28, 2010, except for the following:


1.  Ray C. Brown – Mr. Brown filed a Form 4 report on April 30, 2009 to report one transaction, which should have been filed on or before April 28, 2009.  Mr. Brown also filed a Form 4 report on June 17, 2009 to report one transaction which should have been filed on or before June 12, 2009.


2.  C. Wayne Hartle – Mr. Hartle filed a Form 4 report on May 7, 2009 to report one transaction which should have been filed on or before May 5, 2009.  Mr. Hartle also filed a Form 4 report on May 18, 2009 which reported two transactions.  One of the transactions should have been reported through a filing on or before May 5, 2009, and the other transaction should have been reported through a filing on or before May 12, 2009..


3.  Edward E. Winders – Dr. Winders filed a Form 3 report on May 11, 2009 which should have been filed on or before May 8, 2009.  Dr. Winders filed a Form 4 report to report one transaction on September 4, 2009 which should have been filed on or before June 18, 2009.


4.  David A. Gillespie – Mr. Gillespie filed a Form 3 report on February 18, 2010 which should have been filed on or before December 28, 2009.  Mr. Gillespie also filed a Form 4 report to report one transaction on February 18, 2010 which should have been filed on or before February 9, 2010.


5.  Nova D. Pack – Mr. Pack filed a Form 3 report on April 8, 2010 which should have been filed on or before April 5, 2010.


6.  Ernest H. Kuhn – Mr. Kuhn has not yet filed a Form 3 report which should have been filed on or before December 28, 2009.


7.  Stephen R. Brown – Mr. Brown has not yet filed a Form 3 report which should have been filed on or before December 28, 2009.


Code of Ethics


The Company adopted a code of ethics on May 19, 2006.  A copy is available on the Company’s website at www.unicomining.com.  It was filed as Exhibit No. 14 in Unico’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended February 28, 2006. Unico has undertaken to provide to any person, without change, upon request, a copy of the code of ethics.  Requests should be made in writing to Kenneth Wiedrich, CFO, Unico, Incorporated, 8880 Rio San Diego Drive, 8th Floor, San Diego, California  92108.


Audit Committee Expert


Ernest H. Kuhn was brought onto the Board of Directors to serve as the Chairman of the Company’s Audit Committee..  Ernest is a CPA and financial expert and is qualified to serve as the Audit Committee Chairman.  Edward E. Winders and David A. Gillespie serve on the Audit Committee as well

Nominating Committee


The Board of Directors formed a Nominating Committee on May 22, 2010.  The members of the Nominating Committee include Mark A. Lopez, Edward E. Winders, and David A. Gillespie.  The Chairman of the Nominating Committee is Edward E. Winders. The Nominating Committee has not yet established procedures by which stockholders may recommend nominees to the Company’s Board of Directors.




27




Other Committees


Finance Committee- The finance committee is made up of David A. Gillespie, Mark A. Lopez and Edward E. Winders and is chaired by David A. Gillespie.


Compensation Committee- The compensation committee is made up of Edward E. Winders, C. Wayne Hartle and David A. Gillespie and is chaired by Edward E. Winders.


Research, Technical and Operations Committee- The research, technical and operations committee is made up of Stephen R. Brown, C. Wayne Hartle and Mark A. Lopez and is chaired by Stephen R. Brown.


ITEM 11.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION


Summary Compensation Table


The following table sets forth the annual and long-term compensation for services in all capacities for the fiscal years ended February 28, 2010 and February 28, 2009 paid to the Company’s chief executive officer, chief financial officer, up to three additional executive officers whose compensation paid by the Company for any of the last two fiscal years exceeded $100,000, and up to two additional persons not serving as executive officers whose compensation paid by the Company for any of the last two fiscal years exceeded $100,000.

Summary Compensation Table

 

 

Annual Compensation

 

Long Term Compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




Name and Principal Position

Fiscal

Year

Ended

Feb. 28




Salary




Bonus

 



Stock

Award(s)

 



All Other

Compensation




Total

Mark A. Lopez, CEO

2010

$

150,000

$-0-

 

--

 

--

$

150,000

Kenneth Wiedrich, CFO

2010

$

82,000

$-0-

 

--

 

--

$

82,000

Charles Madsen Exec Vice Pres

2010

$

72,000

$-0-

 

--

 

--

$

72,000

Edward E. Winders

2010

$

35,000

$-0-

 

$110,000

 

--

$

145,000

Mark A. Lopez, CEO

2009

$

150,000

$-0-

 

--

 

--

$

150,000

Kenneth Wiedrich, CFO

2009

$

82,000

$-0-

 

--

 

--

$

82,000

Charles Madsen, Exec Vice Pres

2009

$

72,000

$-0-

 

--

 

--

$

72,000

Edward E. Winders

2009

$

-0-

$-0-

 

--

 

--

$

-0-


Cash compensation


Columns have been omitted from the Summary Compensation Table above for option awards, non-equity incentive plan compensation and changes in pension value and nonqualified deferred compensation earnings since there were none earned by the persons listed in the Summary Compensation Table above.


Except as described above, no cash compensation, deferred compensation or long-term incentive plan awards were issued or granted to the executive officers or directors of Unico named in the Summary Compensation Table above during the fiscal years ended February 28, 2010 and February 28, 2009.  Further, no member of Unico’s management was granted any option or stock appreciation rights during the last two fiscal  years.  Accordingly, no tables relating to such items have been included within this Item 11.


Stock awards


During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2010, Edward E. Winders received a restricted stock award of 5,000,000 shares of Unico’s common stock.  In addition, in September 2009, Unico agreed to give the following stock bonus awards to the following employees:  Wayne Ash - $155,000; Charles J. Madsen - $120,000; Alex Scarborough - $20,000 and Edgar Blanco - $20,000. The shares will be issued upon request of each of the four employees based on the existing market price of the Company’s common stock when an employee requests the shares.  No requests for shares were made during the fiscal year ended February 28, 2010.  



28




Employment contracts and termination of employment and change-in-control arrangements


There are no employment contracts, compensatory plans or arrangements, including payments to be received from Unico with respect to any executive officer of Unico which would in any way result in payments to any such person because of his or her resignation, retirement or other termination of employment with Unico or its subsidiaries, any change in control of Unico or a change in the person's responsibilities following a change in control of Unico.


Nor are there any agreements or understandings for any director or executive officer to resign at the request of another person.  None of Unico’s directors or executive officers is acting on behalf of or will act at the direction of any other person.


Indemnification


As permitted by the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Arizona, the Company has the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation if such officer or director acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interest of the Company.  Any such person may be indemnified against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlements in defense of any action, suit or proceeding.  The Company maintains $1,000,000 of directors and officer’s liability insurance.


Compensation pursuant to plans; pension table


There were no stock options, stock appreciation rights, long-term incentive plan compensation or similar rights granted to any of our officers or directors during the last two fiscal years ended February 28, 2010.  We have no pension, profit sharing, or other retirement plan covering any of our officers and directors.


At the February 10, 2010 meeting of the Unico Board of Directors, the Board adopted the following compensation plan for its independent directors, which includes both cash compensation and grants of annual options.  Company executives or employees are not eligible for compensation under the plan.


Cash Compensation:


Activity

Compensation

Annual retainer for board membership

$25,000

Annual retainer for the Chairman of the Board of Directors

$40,000

Annual retainer for Audit Committee chairmanship

$10,000

Annual retainer for each other committee chairmanship

$8,000

Annual retainer for each committee membership

$5,000

Meeting fee for board and committee meeting attendance

$1,000


Cash payments of the retainers will be accrued and deferred until the closing of financing a package that yields net proceeds of $1,000,000.


Annual Stock Options:


The Board will approve the granting of options to independent Board members to purchase the Company’s common stock in such amounts as determined by the Board of Directors.  Under the annual option grant portion of the plan, the Board of Directors approved the granting of the following options to the independent members of the Board of Directors on May 22, 2010 which are exercisable at the exercise price of $0.0003 per share (the closing bid price on the day before the options were granted):


Independent Director

Option Shares Granted

Stephen Brown

50,000,000

David Gillespie

150,000,000

Wayne Hartle

30,000,000

Ernest Kuhn

100,000,000

Edward Winders

175,000,000

Nova Pack

30,000





29




The options do not become exercisable until the Company has a sufficient number of authorized and unissued shares of its common stock available to cover all conversions or exercises of all previously issued convertible securities of the Company and all of the options described above, and they shall be exercisable thereafter for a period of five (5) years.  The Company is obligated to file a Form S-8 registration statement covering the shares to be issued upon exercise of the options.


Presently we have no plans to issue additional shares of our common or preferred stock or options to acquire the same to our officers, directors or their affiliates or associates, except as described in Item 11 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


Compensation of Directors


For information concerning the Company’s Independent Director Compensation Plan and the compensation of the Company’s Board of Directors, see Item 11. Executive Compensation - Compensation pursuant to plans; pension table and Item 11. Executive Compensation  - Compensation of Directors in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.In addition, during the fiscal year ended February 28, 2010, Unico paid additional director compensation in the amount of $35,000 to Edward E. Winders and awarded 5,000,000 shares of restricted stock valued at $110,000.  On May 22, 2010, the Board agreed to pay to $135,000 director compensation to Dr. Winders and $85,000 director compensation to David A. Gillespie for fulfilling key roles, beyond what would normally be expected from an Independent Director, and devoting substantial time to the business of the Company including, but not limited to, overseeing, directing and participating in Company strategic organizing, planning and development; finances; management oversight; and new business development and investor relations.  The payment of these amounts is conditioned upon the Company first receiving an amount of new equity and/or debt capital in the aggregate amount of Five Million Dollars $5,000,000 or more, at which time the payments will be made.  These amounts shall be in addition to the amounts they will receive with all other directors as compensation for serving as a director (or Dr. Winders as Chairman).  Forty Five Thousand Dollars of the amount Edward E. Winders will receive shall be payable for services he provided during his first year as a director (in addition to other amounts he has been paid or accrued), and the remaining Ninety Thousand Dollars shall be payable for the second year of services he shall provide as a director.  All of the amount payable to David A. Gillespie shall be for his first year of services as a director.  These payments shall cover not only their past services, but also future services up until such time as the Company first receives new equity and/or debt capital in the aggregate amount of Five Million Dollars $5,000,000.  It is intended that no independent director shall receive in excess of One Hundred Twenty Thousand Dollars $120,000 in any consecutive period of twelve months (excluding compensation for board or board committee service paid to all Company directors and board committee members generally) in keeping with the NASDAQ definition of an independent director.


Director Compensation Table


Unico’s directors earned or received the amount of compensation described in the table below during the fiscal year ended February 28, 2010, and the table includes information concerning the aggregate number of stock awards and the aggregate number of option awards outstanding as of the last fiscal year ended February 28, 2010:

 

Name

Fees earned

or paid

in cash

($)

Stock

awards
($)

Option awards

($)

Non-equity

incentive

plan

compensation
($)

Nonqualified

deferred
compensation

earnings
($)

All other compensation
($)

Total
($)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(g)

(h)

Edward E. Winders

$35,000

$110,000

 

-0-

-0-

-0-

$145,000

Mark A. Lopez

$0

-0-

-0-

-0-

-0-

-0-

$0

David A. Gillespie

$0

-0-

-0-

-0-

-0-

-0-

$0

Stephen R. Brown

$0

-0-

-0-

-0-

-0-

-0-

$0

Ernest H. Kuhn

$0

-0-

-0-

-0-

-0-

-0-

$0

C. Wayne Hartle

$0

-0-

-0-

-0-

-0-

-0-

$0

Nova Dean Pack

$0

-0-

-0-

-0-

-0-

-0-

$0



30







Other compensation


None.


Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation


The Company’s Compensation Committee is is comprised of Edward E. Winders, C. Wayne Hartle and David A. Gillespie, and is chaired by Edward E. Winders.  Mr. Hartle is the Company’s secretary.  Neither of the other members has served as an officer or employee of the Company.   There are no insiders that are part of this committee.


Compensation Committee Report


The Company’s  compensation committee has reviewed and discussed the information contained in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis subsection below with management, and based on the review and discussions, the compensation committee recommended to the board of directors that the information contained in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis subsection below be included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10–K .

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of the Company’s previous filings under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act that incorporates by reference, in whole or in part, subsequent filings, including, without limitation, this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Compensation Committee Report and the information set forth below under the title of Compensation Discussion and Analysis shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any such filings.


Compensation Discussion and Analysis


As required by rules promulgated by the SEC, this Compensation Committee Report describes the overall compensation goal and policies applicable to our executive officers, including the basis for determining the compensation of executive officers for the 2010 fiscal year.


General. Management compensation is overseen by the Compensation Committee since its formation in January 21, 2010.  Prior to then, compensation was overseen by the Board of Directors.


Compensation Objectives. In determining the amount of compensation for our executive officers, the Compensation Committee is guided by several factors. Compensation practices are flexible in response to the needs and talents of the individual officer and are geared toward rewarding contributions that enhance stockholder value. Historically, senior management has been compensated based on the perceived contribution to the development of our operations, consisting principally of salaries believed to reflect their contributions. Although one member of the Compensation Committee also serves as the Company’s secretary, he is not compensated for his service as secretary.


Compensation Components. The compensation of our executive officers consists of three components: base salary, bonuses and long-term incentive awards in the form of stock bonuses or stock options. The Compensation Committee has established, or approved, the base salaries based primarily on its objective judgment, taking into consideration both qualitative and quantitative factors. Among the factors considered are:


 

(i)

the qualifications and performance of each executive officer;

 

 

 

 

(ii)

the performance of the Company as measured by such factors as development activities and any increased shareholder value;

 

 

 

 

(iii)

salaries provided by other companies inside and outside the industry that are of comparable size and at a similar stage of development, to the extent known; and

 

 

 

 

(iv)

our capital position and needs.

The Compensation Committee does not assign any specific weight to these factors in determining salaries

From time to time, we may also compensate our executive officers in the form of cash bonuses. Because we are presently in an early stage of development and do not have a history of earnings per share, net income, or other conventional data to use as a benchmark for determining the amount or existence of cash bonus awards, any cash bonuses granted by the Compensation Committee in the near term will be based upon its subjective evaluation of each individual’s contribution to the Company. In some cases, however, cash



31




bonuses payable to executive officers may be tied to specific criteria identified at the time of engagement. For the years ended February 28, 2009 and 2010, neither the Board nor the Compensation Committee paid cash bonuses to any executive officers. The Board’s action was based on its conclusion that, no cash incentive bonuses should be awarded, due to the Board’s desire to preserve limited capital for future growth and development.

The third component of our compensation structure consists of the long-term incentive awards including the grant of stock awards and/or stock options to compensate executive officers and other key employees and consultants.   No stock options were granted during the fiscal years ended February 28, 2009 and 2010.  

Chief Executive Compensation. The Company has agreed to pay Mark A. Lopez a salary of $150,000 per year as CEO, Mr. Kenneth Wiedrich a salary of $82,000 per year as CFO, and Charles Madsen $72,000 per year as Executive Vice President.

ITEM 12.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDERS MATTERS


The following table sets forth information, to the best knowledge of the Company, as of May 25, 2010 with respect to each person known by Unico, Incorporated to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock, each director and officer, and all directors and officers as a group.



Name and Address

 

Number of Shares

Beneficially

 Owned (1)(3)

 


Class

 

Percentage of

 Class (2)

Mark A. Lopez

Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

100

5,401,968

 

Common

Series A Preferred

 

*

55%

Charles J. Madsen

Executive Vice President

 

367,647

 

Common

 

*

Kenneth Wiedrich

Chief Financial Officer

 

-

 

Common

 

-

C. Wayne Hartle

Secretary and Director

 

5,315,014

348,989

 

Common

Series A Preferred

 

*

4%

Edward E. Winders

Director and Chairman

 

5,105,000

 

Common

 

*

David A. Gillespie

Director

 

33,333,333

 

Common

 

*

Ernest H. Kuhn

Director

 

-

 

Common

 

*

Stephen R. Brown

Director

 

-

 

Common

 

*

Nova Dean Pack

Director

 

-

 

Common

 

*

Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

1575 Delucchi Lane Ste 115, Reno, NV 89502

 

(4)

 

Common

 

(4)

All directors and executive officers

(9 persons)

 

44,121,094

  5,750,957

 

Common

Series A Preferred

 

0.95%

58.78%

*Less than 1%.


(1) Unless indicated otherwise, the address for each of the above listed is c/o Unico, Incorporated at 8880 Rio San Diego Drive, 8th Floor, San Diego, California 92108.


(2) The above percentages are based on 4,858,273,975 shares of common stock and 9,800,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding as of May 25, 2010.


(3)  The following stock options have not been included in the table based on the fact that the options are not currently exercisable, and are not expected to become exercisable during the next 60 days:  (a) Stephen R. Brown – option for 50,000,000 shares; (b) David A. Gillespie – option for 150,000,000 shares; (c) C. Wayne Hartle – option for 30,000,000 shares; (d) Ernest H. Kuhn – option for 100,000,000 shares; (e) Edward E. Winders – option for 175,000,000 shares; and (f) Nova Pack – option for 30,000,000 shares.


(4)  Moore Investment Holdings, LLC presently holds approximately $6,269,916 face value and approximately $1,350,000 of accrued interest of the Company’s convertible debentures that are convertible to common stock of the Company at 50% of the closing bid



32




price on the day immediately prior to delivering a conversion notice to the Company.  Given the dollar amount of the convertible debentures held by Moore Investment Holdings, LLC, Moore Investment Holdings, LLC could exercise its conversion rights to acquire far in excess of 5% of the issued and outstanding common stock of the Company.  However, by written agreement between Moore Investment Holdings, LLC and the Company, Moore Investment Holdings, LLC cannot exercise its conversion rights to acquire 10% or more of the Company’s common stock without the written consent of the Company.  As such Moore Investment Holdings, LLC should be deemed to own no more than 9.99% of the Company’s common stock.  In addition to the convertible debentures, Moore Investment Holdings, LLC owns 0 shares of the Company’s common stock as of May 31, 2010.    


All shares held by the executive officers and directors are “restricted or control securities” and are subject to limitations on resale. The shares may be sold in compliance with the requirements of Rule 144, after a minimum six months holding period has been met.  


Rule 13d-3 generally provides that beneficial owners of securities include any person who directly or indirectly has or shares, voting power and/or investment power with respect to such securities; and any person who has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of such security within 60 days.


Any securities not outstanding which are subject to options, warrants or conversion privileges exercisable within 60 days are treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of outstanding securities owned by that person.  But such securities are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of the class owned by any other person.


Changes in control


There are no present arrangements or pledges of Unico’s securities, known to management, which may result in a change in control of Unico.


Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans


For information concerning the Company’s Independent Director Compensation Plan, see Item 11. Executive Compensation - Compensation pursuant to plans; pension table in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  The Company has no other equity compensation plans that have been approved by the Company’s security holders or the Board of Directors.  There are no outstanding options, warrants or rights to acquire securities of the Company, except for: (a) the outstanding options described in Item 11. Executive Compensation - Compensation pursuant to plans; pension table in this Annual Report on Form 10-K; (b) the stock awards described in Item 11. Executive Compensation – Stock Awards; and (c) the outstanding convertible debentures of the Company.  As of February 28, 2010 the Company had $7,417,468 of convertible debentures that were due and payable. Of this amount, $6,899,047 face value of debentures are convertible to Unico common stock at 50% of the closing bid price on the day preceding the date of conversion, and and $518,422 face value of debentures are convertible to Unico common stock at 80% of the closing bid price on the day preceding the date of conversion.


ITEM 13.

 CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE


Transactions with Management and Others


During the two fiscal years ended February 28, 2010, there have been no material transactions or series of similar transactions to which Unico or any of our subsidiaries were or are to be a party, in which the amount involved exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of the Company’s total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years, in which any related person (as defined in Item 404 of Regulation S-K) had a direct or indirect material interest, and none is presently proposed, other than the following:


1.  Unico has received advances from Ray C. Brown (former Chairman of Unico and father of Stephen R. Brown).  Portions of these advances were converted to convertible debentures that bear interest at ten percent (10.0%) per annum and are convertible to common stock of the Company at a discounted rate equal to 80% of the closing bid price on the date of conversion.  Both the Company and the debenture holders have the right to convert under these terms.  Mr. Joseph Lopez, father of Mark A. Lopez, purchased a portion of the debentures held by Mr. Brown.  In the event of a company liquidation, the debentures automatically convert into common stock at the same rate.  During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2009, Mr. Brown converted $37,708 of accrued interest and $558 of principal for which he received 2,762,655 shares of Unico common stock.  During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2010, Mr. Brown converted $9,028 of accrued interest and $45,000 of principal for which he received 6,867,507 shares of Unico common stock.  The largest amounts of principal owed to Mr. Brown and Joseph A. Lopez during the last two fiscal years ended February 28, 2010 were $449,514 and $114,486, respectively.  As of February 28, 2010, the principal balance of the convertible debentures held by Mr. Brown and Mr. Joseph Lopez, father of Chief Executive Officer Mark A. Lopez, was $403,956 and $114,486, respectively. During the last



33




two fiscal years ended February, 2010, Mr. Brown was paid $45,558 principal through the issuance of shares of Unico common stock, and $46,736 interest through the issuance of Unico common stock.  During the last two fiscal years ended February 28, 2010, Mr. Brown was paid $9,584 interest in cash payments and $-0- principal in cash payments.  During the last two fiscal years ended February 28, 2010, Joseph Lopez was not paid any principal or interest through the issuance of shares or by cash.  


2.  During the fiscal years ended February 28, 2009, and February 28, 2010, Moore Investment Holdings, LLC, a limited liability company owned and controlled by Joseph Lopez, father of Mark A. Lopez, purchased 30 debentures totaling $1,908,000 and 48 debentures totaling $1,789,000 respectively.  Unico received $3,697,000 from the issuance of these debentures.  All of the Convertible Debentures bear interest at the rate of eight percent (8.0%) per annum, are convertible to shares of Unico’s common stock at fifty percent of the bid price of Unico’s common stock on the date of conversion, and are due and payable six (6) months from their issue date.  These Convertible Debentures are identical in their terms to the Convertible Debentures issued by Unico numerous times to unrelated third parties in past years.   During the fiscal year ended February 28. 2009, Moore Investment Holdings, LLC converted $62,649 of accrued interest and $18,052 of principal of the convertible debentures into 7,800,000 shares of Unico common stock.  During the fiscal year ended February 28. 2010, Moore Investment Holdings, LLC converted $59,940 of accrued interest and $415,281 of principal of the convertible debentures into 503,240,780 shares of Unico common stock.  During the last two fiscal years ended February 28, 2010, the largest amount of principal owed to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC was $7,315,946.  As of February 28, 2010, the principal balance of the convertible debentures held by Moore Investment Holdings, LLC was $6,269,916.  During the last two fiscal years ended February, 2010, Moore Investment Holdings, LLC was paid $433,333 principal through the issuance of shares of Unico common stock, and $122,589 interest through the issuance of Unico common stock.  During the last two fiscal years ended February 28, 2010, Moore Investment Holdings, LLC was paid $0 interest in cash payments and $0 principal in cash payments.


3.  During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2010, Unico agreed to give the following stock bonus awards that exceeded one percent of the average of the Company’s total assets at the year end for the last two completed fiscal years to following employees:  Wayne Ash (former President)- $155,000 and Charles M. Madsen - $120,000. The shares will be issued upon request of each of the officers based on the existing market price of the Company’s common stock when the officer requests the shares.  No requests for shares were made during the fiscal year ended February 28, 2010.  


4.  On May 22, 2010, the Board of Directors agreed to pay to $135,000 director compensation to Edward E. Winders (Chairman) and $85,000 director compensation to David A. Gillespie (director) for fulfilling key roles, beyond what would normally be expected from an Independent Director, and devoting substantial time to the business of the Company including, but not limited to, overseeing, directing and participating in Company strategic organizing, planning and development; finances; management oversight; and new business development and investor relations.  The payment of these amounts is conditioned upon the Company first receiving an amount of new equity and/or debt capital in the aggregate amount of Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) or more, at which time the payments will be made.  These amounts shall be in addition to the amounts they will receive with all other directors as compensation for serving as a director (or Dr. Winders as Chairman).  Forty Five Thousand Dollars of the amount Edward E. Winders will receive shall be payable for services he provided during his first year as a director (in addition to other amounts he has been paid or accrued), and the remaining Ninety Thousand Dollars shall be payable for the second year of services he shall provide as a director.  All of the amount payable to David A. Gillespie shall be for his first year of services as a director.  These payments shall cover not only their past services, but also future services up until such time as the Company first receives new equity and/or debt capital in the aggregate amount of Five Million Dollars $5,000,000.  


Policies and Procedures for Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons


Our board of directors reviews, and must approve any related person transactions before such transactions are engaged in by the Company.  A related person means any person who is, or at any time since the beginning of our last fiscal year was, a director or executive officer of the Company or a nominee to become a director of the Company; any person who is known to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities; any immediate family member of any of the foregoing persons, which means any child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law of the director, executive officer, nominee or more than 5% beneficial owner, and any person (other than a tenant or employee) sharing the household of such director, executive officer, nominee or more than 5% beneficial owners; and any firm, corporation, or other equity in which any of the foregoing persons is employed or is a general partner or principal or is a similar position or in which such person has a 5% or greater beneficial ownership interest.  Our board of directors reviews these related person transactions and considers all of the relevant facts and circumstances available to the board of directors, including (if applicable) but not limited to; the benefits to us; the availability of other sources of comparable products or services; the terms of the transaction; and the terms available to unrelated third parties or to employees generally.  The board of directors may approve only those related person transactions that are in, or are not inconsistent with the best interests of us and of our stockholders, as the board of directors determines in good faith.  At the beginning of each fiscal year, the board of directors will review any previously approved or ratified related person transactions that remain ongoing and have a remaining term of more than six months.  The board of directors will consider all of the relevant facts and circumstances and will determine if it is in the best interests of us and our stockholders to continue, modify or terminate these related person transactions.  



34





Director Independence

 

As of the date of this report, our common stock traded on the OTC Bulletin Board (the “Bulletin Board”).  The Bulletin Board does not impose on us standards relating to director independence or the makeup of committees with independent directors, or provide definitions of independence.  Nevertheless, we presently have five directors, Edward Winders, David Gillespie, Ernest Kuhn, C. Wayne Hartle and Nova Pack who are independent under the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules and those standards applicable to companies trading on NASDAQ.


The NASDAQ Stock Market has instituted director independence guidelines that have been adopted by the Securities & Exchange Commission.  These guidelines provide that a director is deemed “independent” only if the board of directors affirmatively determines that the director has no relationship with the company which, in the board’s opinion, would interfere with the director’s exercise of independent judgment in carrying out his or her responsibilities.  Significant stock ownership will not, by itself, preclude a board finding of independence.


For NASDAQ Stock Market listed companies, the director independence rules list six types of disqualifying relationships that preclude an independence finding.  The Company’s board of directors may not find independent a director who:


1.  is, or at any time during the past three years was, an employee of the Company or any parent or subsidiary of the Company;


2.  accepts, or who has a family member who accepts, more than $120,000 per year in payments from the Company or any parent or subsidiary of the Company, within the past three years, other than (a) payments from board or committee services; (b) payments arising solely from investments in the Company’s securities; (c) compensation paid to a family member who is a non-executive employee of the Company (d) benefits under a tax qualified retirement plan or non-discretionary compensation; or (e) loans to directors and executive officers permitted under Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act;


3.  is a family member of an individual who is, or was at any time during the past three years, employed as an executive officer by the Company or any parent or subsidiary of the Company;


4.  is, or has a family member who is, a partner in, or a controlling shareholder or an executive officer of, any organization to which the Company made, or from which the Company received, payments for property or services that exceed 5% of the recipient’s consolidated gross revenues for that year, or $200,000, whichever is more, other than (a) payments arising solely from investments in the Company’s securities or (b) payments under non-discretionary charitable contribution matching programs;


5.  is employed, or who has a family member who is employed as an executive officer of another entity, where at any time during the past three years, any executive officer of the Company serve on the compensation committee of such other entity; or


6.  is, or has a family member who is, a current partner of the Company’s outside auditor, or was a partner or employee of the Company’s outside auditor who worked on the Company’s audit at any time during the past three years.


Based upon the foregoing criteria, our Board of Directors has determined that Edward Winders, David Gillespie. Ernest Kuhn, C. Wayne Hartle and Nova Pack are independent directors under these rules.  Specifically, Dr. Winders, Mr. Gillespie, Mr. Kuhn, Mr. Hartle and Mr. Pack:


·

have not been any time during the past three years, employed by us or by any parent or subsidiary of ours;

·

have not accepted or had a family member who accepted any compensation from us in excess of $120,000 during any period of twelve consecutive months within the three years preceding the determination of independence.

·

are not a family member of an individual who is, or at any time during the past three years was, employed by us as an executive officer

·

are not, and do not have a family member who is, a partner in, or a controlling shareholder or an executive officer of, any organization to which we made, or from which the company received, payments for property or services in the current or any of the past three fiscal years that exceed 5% of the recipient's consolidated gross revenues for that year, or $200,000

·

are not, and do not have a family member who is, employed as an executive officer of another entity where at any time during the past three years any of the executive officers of ours serve on the compensation committee of such other entity; or

·

are not, and do not have a family member who is, a current partner of our outside auditor, or was a partner or employee of our outside auditor who worked on our audit at any time during any of the past three years.



35





ITEM 14.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES


Audit Fees


During the fiscal years ended February 28, 2010 and February 29, 2009, the aggregate fees billed by HJ Associates & Consultants, LLP, for services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements and the review of the financial statements included in our quarterly reports or services provided in connection with the statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years, was approximately $60,000and $37,800, respectively.


Audit Related Fees


None


Tax Fees


During the fiscal years ended February 28, 2010, and February 29, 2009, the aggregate fees billed by HJ Associates & Consultants, LLP, for preparation of taxes were $2,100 and $5,000 respectively.


All Other Fees


The aggregate fees billed by the Company's auditors for all other non-audit services rendered to the Company, such as attending meetings and other miscellaneous financial consulting in fiscal 2010 and 2009 were $0 and $0, respectively.


Audit Committees Pre-approval Policies and Procedures


The audit committee's policy is to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent auditors. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services, and other services. Pre-approval is generally provided for up to one year, and any pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or category of services and is generally subject to a specific budget. The independent auditors and management are required to periodically report to the audit committee regarding the extent of services provided by the independent auditors in accordance with this pre-approval and the fees for the services performed to date. The audit committee may also pre-approve particular services on a case-by-case basis.


ITEM 15.         EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES


(a)(1)(2)

Financial Statements.  See index to financial statements and supporting schedules.


(a)(3)

Exhibits.

The following exhibits are filed as part of this statement:


The exhibits listed below are required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K.  Each management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit to this Form 10-K has been identified.



Exhibit No.

Description

Location

3.1

Articles of Incorporation

(1)

3.2

Amendment to articles of incorporation, dated November 8, 1967

(1)

3.3

Amendment to articles of incorporation, dated December 6, 1972

(1)

3.4

Amendment to articles of incorporation, dated May 29, 1973

(1)

3.5

Amendment to articles of incorporation, dated December 1, 1979

(1)

3.6

Amendment to articles of incorporation, dated May 12, 1992

(1)

3.7

Amendment to articles of incorporation, dated November, 1999

(1)



36







3.10

Amendment to articles of incorporation, dated June 1, 2004

(2)

3.11

Amendment to articles of incorporation, dated February 2, 2006

(4)

3.8

Amended and Restated By-laws dated November 2, 2009

(17)

4.1

Certificate of Designation, Number, Powers, Preferences and Relative, Participating, Optional and other Special Rights and the Qualifications, Limitations, Restrictions and other Distinguishing Characteristics of Series A Preferred Stock

(2)

10.1

Convertible Debenture No. 41 for $200,000 dated 08/2/07 issued to Blue Marble Investments, LTD

(8)

10.2

Stock purchase agreement with Cherry Creek Holdings, LLC dated 12/29/06

(8)

10.3

Stock purchase agreement with Cherry Creek Holdings, LLC dated 1/12/07

(8)

10.4

Convertible Debenture No. 44 for $200,000 dated 3/23/07 to Blue Marble Investments

(9)

10.5

Convertible Debenture No. 45 for $140,000 dated 4/5/07 to Blue Marble Investments

(9)

10.6

Convertible Debenture No. 46 for $200,000 dated 4/25/07 to Blue Marble Investments

(9)

10.7

Convertible Debenture No. 47 for $200,000 dated 4/30/07 to Blue Marble Investments

(9)

10.8

Convertible Debenture No. 48 for $800,000 dated 5/15/07 to Blue Marble Investments

(9)

10.9

Agreement (concerning the sale of Deer Trail Mine claims) dated effective May 31, 2007 between Crown Mines, L.L.C. and Deer Trail Mining Company, LLC

(10)

10.10

Assignment of Contractual Water Right dated July 30, 2007 between Crown Mines, L.L.C. and Deer Trail Mining Company, LLC

(10)

10.11

Water Rights Lease and Water Pipeline Easement Agreement dated July 30, 2007 between Crown Mines, L.L.C. and Deer Trail Mining Company, LLC

(10)

10.12

Right of Way Easement dated June 21, 2007 granted to PacifiCorp

(10)

10.13

Convertible Debenture No. 51 for $375,000 dated June 8, 2007 issued to Blue Marble Investments

(10)

10.14

Convertible Debenture No. 54 for $250,000 dated July 2, 2007 issued to Blue Marble Investments

(10)

10.15

Convertible Debenture No. 55 for $200,000 dated July 30, 2007 issued to Blue Marble Investments

(10)

10.16

Convertible Debenture No 58 for $50,000 dated September 10, 2007 issued to Compass Capital Group, Inc.

(11)

10.17

Convertible Debenture No 62 for $150,000 dated October 30,  2007 issued to Blue Marble Investments.

(11)

10.18

Convertible Debenture No 63 for $50,000 dated November 20, 2007 issued to Compass Capital Group, Inc.

(11)

10.19

Convertible Debenture No 64 for $75,000 dated November 26, 2007 issued to Compass Capital Group, Inc.

(11)

10.20

Convertible Debenture No 65 for $199,854.09 dated December 11, 2007 issued to Blue Marble Investments

(12)

10.21

Convertible Debenture No 68 for $35,000 dated January 18, 2008 issued to Blue Marble Investments

(12)

10.22

Convertible Debenture No 69 for $250,000 dated January 23, 2008 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(12)

10.23

Convertible Debenture No 70 for $250,000 dated January 30, 2008 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(12)

10.24

Convertible Debenture No 71 for $40,000 dated March 10, 2008 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(13)



37







10.25

Convertible Debenture No 73 for $250,000 dated March 13, 2008 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(13)

10.26

Convertible Debenture No 74 for $200,000 dated March 27, 2008 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(13)

10.27

Convertible Debenture No 75 for $50,000 dated April 23, 2008 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(13)

10.28

Convertible Debenture No 77 for $85,000 dated May 29, 2008 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(13)

10.29

Convertible Debenture No 78 for $25,000 dated June 11, 2008 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(14)

10.30

Convertible Debenture No 79 for $45,000 dated June 19, 2008 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(14)

10.31

Convertible Debenture No 82 for $25,000 dated July 16, 2008 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(14)

10.32

Convertible Debenture No 83for $100,000 dated July 18, 2008 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(14)

10.33

Convertible Debenture No 84 for $100,000 dated July 23, 2008 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(14)

10.34

Convertible Debenture No 85 for $200,000 dated August 7, 2008 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(14)

10.35

Convertible Debenture No 86 for $100,000 dated August 25, 2008 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(14)

10.36

Convertible Debenture No 87 for $25,000 dated September 10, 2008 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(15)

10.37

Convertible Debenture No 88 for $25,000 dated September 16, 2008 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(15)

10.38

Convertible Debenture No 89 for $100,000 dated September 25, 2008 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(15)

10.39

Convertible Debenture No 90 for $100,000 dated October 14, 2008 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(15)

10.40

Convertible Debenture No 91 for $50,000 dated October 27, 2008 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(15)

10.41

Convertible Debenture No 92 for $75,000 dated November 6, 2008 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(15)

10.42

Convertible Debenture No 93 for $50,000 dated November 25, 2008 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(15)

10.43

Convertible Debenture No 94 for $50,000 dated December 5, 2008 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(16)

10.44

Convertible Debenture No 95 for $25,000 dated December 10, 2008 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(16)

10.45

Convertible Debenture No 96 for $50,000 dated December 24, 2008 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(16)

10.46

Convertible Debenture No 97 for $35,000 dated January 7, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(16)

10.47

Convertible Debenture No 98 for $24,000 dated January 21, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(16)

10.48

Convertible Debenture No 99 for $7,500 dated February 19, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(16)



38







10.49

Convertible Debenture No 100 for $1,500 dated February 26, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(16)

10.50

Convertible Debenture No. 201 for $62,500 dated March 13,  2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(18)

10.51

Convertible Debenture No. 202 for $40,000 dated April 3, 2009, issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(18)

10.52

Convertible Debenture No. 203 for $40,000 dated April 20, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(18)

10.53

Convertible Debenture No. 204 for $45,000 dated April 27, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(18)

10.54

Convertible Debenture No. 205 for $65,000 dated May 22, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(18)

10.55

Convertible Debenture No. 206 for $10,000 dated May 28, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(18)

10.56

Convertible Debenture No. 207 for $150,000 dated June 1, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(19)

10.57

Convertible Debenture No. 208 for $10,000 dated June 9, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(19)

10.58

Convertible Debenture No. 209 for $200,000 dated June 11, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LL

(19)

10.59

Convertible Debenture No. 210 for $10,000 dated June 18, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(19)

10.60

Convertible Debenture No. 211 for $10,000 dated June 25,  2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(19)

10.61

Convertible Debenture No. 212 for $10,000 dated July 1, 2009, issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(19)

10.62

Convertible Debenture No. 213 for $20,000 dated July 16, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(19)

10.63

Convertible Debenture No. 214 for $75,000 dated July 27, 2009issued to Moore Investment

Holdings, LLC

(19)

10.64

Convertible Debenture No. 215 for $20,000 dated August 10, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(19)

10.65

Convertible Debenture No. 216 for $50,000 dated August 14, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(19)

10.66

Convertible Debenture No. 217 for $20,000 dated August 25, 2009

issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(19)

10.67

Convertible Debenture No. 218 for $250,000 dated August 31, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(19)

10.68

Convertible Debenture No. 219 for $10,000 dated September 22, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(20)

10.69

Convertible Debenture No. 220 for $20,000 dated September 24, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(20)

10.70

Convertible Debenture No. 221 for $20,000 dated September 25, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(20)

10.71

Convertible Debenture No. 222 for $10,000 dated October 4, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(20)

10.72

Convertible Debenture No. 223 for $80,000 dated October 9, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(20)

10.73

Convertible Debenture No. 224 for $12,000 dated October 15, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(20)

10.74

Convertible Debenture No. 225 for $20,000 dated October 23, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(20)

10.75

Convertible Debenture No. 226 for $50,000 dated November 3, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(20)

10.76

Convertible Debenture No. 227 for $20,000 dated November 5, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(20)

10.77

Convertible Debenture No. 228 for $40,000 dated November 12, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(20)

10.78

Convertible Debenture No. 229 for $20,000 dated November 17, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(20)



39







10.79

Convertible Debenture No. 230 for $75,000 dated November 24, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(20)

10.80

Convertible Debenture No. 231 for $5,000 dated November 17, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

(20)

10.81

Convertible Debenture No. 232 for $30,000 dated December 3, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

Filed herewith

10.82

Convertible Debenture No. 233 for $5,000 dated December 10, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

Filed herewith

10.83

Convertible Debenture No. 234 for $10,000 dated December 11, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

Filed herewith

10.84

Convertible Debenture No. 235 for $30,000 dated December 15, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

Filed herewith

10.85

Convertible Debenture No. 236 for $20,000 dated December 24, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

Filed herewith

10.86

Convertible Debenture No. 237 for $70,000 dated January 8, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

Filed herewith

10.87

Convertible Debenture No. 238 for $7,000 dated January 13, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

Filed herewith

10.88

Convertible Debenture No. 239 for $12,000 dated January 20, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

Filed herewith

10.89

Convertible Debenture No. 240 for $25,000 dated January 25, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

Filed herewith

10.90

Convertible Debenture No. 241 for $12,500 dated January 27, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

Filed herewith

10.91

Convertible Debenture No. 242 for $20,000 dated February 2, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

Filed herewith

10.92

Convertible Debenture No. 243 for $10,000 dated February 4, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

Filed herewith

10.93

Convertible Debenture No. 244 for $20,000 dated February 5, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

Filed herewith

10.94

Convertible Debenture No. 245 for $20,000 dated February 8, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

Filed herewith

10.95

Convertible Debenture No. 246 for $20,000 dated February 17, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

Filed herewith

10.96

Convertible Debenture No. 247 for $6,000 dated February 19, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

Filed herewith

10.97

Convertible Debenture No. 248 for $2,000 dated February 23, 2009 issued to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC

Filed herewith

10.98

Promissory Note dated March 22, 2010 for $145,000 in favor of Rocco Trotta

Filed herewith

10.99

Security Agreement (Equipment) dated March 22, 2010 in favor of Rocco Trotta

Filed herewith

14

Code of Ethics adopted May 19, 2006

(4)

31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Filed herewith

31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Filed herewith

32.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Filed herewith

32.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Filed herewith

99.1

Audit Committee Charter adopted January 12, 2010  

Filed herewith




40





(1) Incorporated by reference from Unico's Registration Statement on Form 10-SB filed on April 6, 2000.

(2) Incorporated by reference from Unico’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the Quarter Ended May 31, 2004 filed on July 22, 2004.

(3) Incorporated by reference from Unico’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the Fiscal Year Ended February 28, 2005 filed on June 20, 2005.

(4) Incorporated by reference from Unico’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the Fiscal Year Ended February 28, 2006 filed on July 18, 2006.

(5) Incorporated by reference from Unico’s Amended Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB/.A for the Quarter Ended May 31, 2006 filed on October 24, 2006.

(6) Incorporated by reference from Unico’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the Quarter Ended August 31, 2006 filed on October 24, 2006.

(7) Incorporated by reference from Unico’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the Quarter Ended November 30, 2006 filed on January 17, 2007.

(8) Incorporated by reference from Unico’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the Fiscal Year Ended February 28, 2007 filed on June 7, 2007.

(9) Incorporated by reference from Unico’s Amended Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB/.A for the Quarter Ended May 31, 2007 filed on July 7, 2007.

(10) Incorporated by reference from Unico’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the Quarter Ended August 31, 2007 filed on October 12, 2007.

(11) Incorporated by reference from Unico’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the Quarter Ended November 30, 2007 filed on January 14, 2008.

(12) Incorporated by reference from Unico’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended January 29, 2008 filed on June 3, 2008.

(13) Incorporated by reference from Unico’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Fiscal Quarter Ended May 31, 2008 filed on July 15, 2008.

(14) Incorporated by reference from Unico’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Fiscal Quarter Ended August 31, 2008 filed on October 17, 2008.

(15) Incorporated by reference from Unico’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Fiscal Quarter Ended November 30, 2008 filed on January 20, 2009.

(16) Incorporated by reference from Unico’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended February 28, 2009 filed on June 15, 2009.

(17) Incorporated by reference from Unico’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 4, 2009.

(18) Incorporated by reference from Unico’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Fiscal Quarter Ended May 31, 2009 filed on January 20, 2009.

(19) Incorporated by reference from Unico’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Fiscal Quarter Ended August 31, 2009 filed on January 20, 2009.

(20) Incorporated by reference from Unico’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Fiscal Quarter Ended November 30, 2009 filed on January 20, 2009.





41




SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

UNICO, INCORPORATED

Dated: June 15, 2010

/s/ Mark A. Lopez

Mark A. Lopez

Chief Executive Officer



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


SIGNATURE

 

DATE

 

 

 

/s/ Edward E. Winders

 

 

Edward E. Winders, Chairman

 

June 15, 2010

 

 

 

/s/ Mark A. Lopez

 

 

 Mark A. Lopez, Director

 

June 15, 2010

 

 

 

/s/ C. Wayne Hartle

 

 

C. Wayne Hartle, Director

 

June 15, 2010

 

 

 

/s/ Stephen R. Brown

 

 

 Stephen R. Brown, Director

 

June 15, 2010

 

 

 

/s/ David A. Gillespie

 

 

 David A. Gillespie, Director

 

June 15, 2010

 

 

 

/s/ Ernest H. Kuhn

 

 

Ernest H. Kuhn, Director

June 15, 2010

 

 

 

/s/ Nova D. Pack

 

 

 Nova D. Pack, Director

 

June 15, 2010

 

 

 



42














UNICO, INCORPORATED


CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


FEBRUARY 28, 2010 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2009



CONTENTS



 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

F-3

Consolidated Balance Sheets

F-4

Consolidated Statements of Operations

F-5

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)

F-6

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

F-7

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

F-8




F-1




REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM



To the Board of Directors

Unico Incorporated

(an exploration stage company)

San Diego, California



We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Unico Incorporated and subsidiaries (an exploration stage company) as of February 28, 2010 and February 29, 2009, and the related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity (deficit) and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended February 28, 2010, and from inception of the exploration stage on June 1, 2004 through February 28, 2010. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.


We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Unico Incorporated and subsidiaries (an exploration stage company) as of February 28, 2010 and February 28, 2009, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended February 28, 2010, and from inception of the exploration stage on June 1, 2004 through February 28, 2010 in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles.


We were not engaged to examine management's assertion about the effectiveness of Unico Incorporated’s (an exploration stage company) internal control over financial reporting as of February 28, 2010 and, accordingly, we do not express an opinion.


The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern.  As discussed in Note 6 to the financial statements, the Company has incurred significant losses which have resulted in an accumulated deficit and a deficit in working capital, raising substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern.  Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 6.  The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.


/s/ HJ Associates & Consultants, LLP


HJ Associates & Consultants, LLP

Salt Lake City, Utah

June 15, 2010






F-2




Unico, Incorporated

(An exploration stage company)

 Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

 

February 28, 2010

 

February 28, 2009

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

$

$

417 

 

Other receivable

 

23,381 

 

 

Total Current Assets

 

23,381 

 

417 

Fixed Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Equipment, furniture, etc. net of depreciation (Note 1)

 

6,035,752 

 

6,469,093 

 

Total Fixed Assets

 

6,035,752 

 

6,469,093 

Other Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash- reclamation bonds

 

222,014 

 

221,526 

 

Deposit

 

21,097 

 

20,947 

 

Total Other Assets

 

243,111 

 

242,473 

 

Total Assets

$

6,302,244 

$

6,711,983 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Bank overdraft

$

868 

$

 

Accounts payable

 

1,094,530 

 

1,148,535 

 

Wages payable

 

73,031 

 

93,283 

 

Accrued expenses

 

315,400 

 

400 

 

Reclamation obligations

 

171,377 

 

158,119 

 

Accrued interest payable

 

40,510 

 

32,006 

 

Accrued interest payable - related party (Note 2)

 

1,323,635 

 

813,008 

 

Accrued interest - at 50% conversion (Note 2)

 

1,346,445 

 

834,179 

 

Payroll taxes payable

 

238,940 

 

53,315 

 

Debentures payable, (Note 3)

 

629,130 

 

187,584 

 

Debentures payable-related party  (Note 2)

 

6,788,338 

 

7,879,368 

 

Debentures payable - 50% conversion (Note 2)

 

7,313,786 

 

7,954,267 

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

19,335,990 

 

19,154,064 

 

Total Liabilities

 

19,335,990 

 

19,154,064 

Stockholders' Deficit

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stock, authorized 20,000,000 shares, $0.001 Par Value, 9,800,000 shares issued and outstanding

 

9,800 

 

9,800 

 

Common Stock,  authorized 5,000,000,000 shares, $0.001 Par Value, 2,920,192,308 and 35,823,306 shares issued and outstanding, respectively

 

2,920,192 

 

35,823 

 

Stock Payable

 

999,000 

 

999,000 

 

Additional Paid in Capital

 

54,048,020 

 

51,766,789 

 

Accumulated Deficit prior to exploration stage

 

(15,340,078)

 

(15,340,078)

 

Accumulated Deficit during the exploration stage

 

(55,670,680)

 

(49,913,415)

 

 Total Stockholders' Deficit

 

(13,033,746)

 

(12,442,081)

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Deficit

$

6,302,244 

$

6,711,983 



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




F-3



 

UNICO, INCORPORATED

(An exploration stage company)

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative

 

 

 

 

 

 

Period

 

 

 

 

 

 

from inception

 

 

 

 

 

 

(June 1, 2004) to

 

 

For the Year Ended February 28,

 

February 28,

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

Total Revenues

$

$

$

26,202 

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Drilling, exploration and maintenance expense

 

156,782 

 

252,282 

 

1,810,101 

     Depreciation and accretion

 

465,814 

 

300,394 

 

1,406,234 

     Professional fees

 

478,104 

 

380,296 

 

2,564,273 

     Salaries/wages

 

665,376 

 

816,862 

 

2,772,086 

     General and administrative expense

 

1,014,525 

 

531,826 

 

4,693,669 

     Total Operating Expenses

 

2,780,601 

 

2,281,660 

 

13,246,363 

Net Operating Loss

 

(2,780,601)

 

(2,281,660)

 

(13,220,161)

Other Income (Expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Interest expense

 

(3,008,715)

 

(3,040,636)

 

(19,473,672)

     Interest income

 

1,132 

 

5,834 

 

30,427 

     Loss on sale of asset

 

 

 

(5,914)

     Gain/( Loss) on settlement of debt

 

18,399 

 

 

(22,989,858)

     Gain on sale of equipment

 

12,520 

 

 

12,520 

     Other income

 

 

 

(23,672)

     Total Other Expense

 

(2,976,664)

 

(3,034,802)

 

(42,450,169)

LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

 

(5,757,265)

 

(5,316,462)

 

(55,670,330)

Income Tax Expense

 

 

 

(350)

Net Loss

$

(5,757,265)

$

(5,316,462)

$

(55,670,680)

Net Loss Per Share

$

(0.01)

$

(0.36)

 

 

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

 

563,321,355 

 

14,630,797 

 

 



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




F-4




Unico, Incorporated

(An exploration stage company)

Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

Retained 

 

 

Preferred Stock 

 

Common Stock 

 

Paid-in

 

Earnings 

 

 

Shares

 

Amount 

 

Shares 

 

Amount 

 

Capital

 

(Deficit) 

 

Balance, June 1, 2004 (inception of exploration stage)

$

 

181,926

$

182

$

9,906,554 

$

(15,340,078)

 

   S8 Stock issued for services

 

 

5,000

 

5

 

249,995 

 

 

   Preferred stock issued for related party debt extinguishment

6,898,032 

 

6,898 

 

-

 

-

 

485,764 

 

 

   Preferred stock issued for debt extinguishment

2,401,968 

 

2,402 

 

-

 

-

 

169,148 

 

 

   Preferred stock issued for services

500,000 

 

500 

 

-

 

-

 

35,210 

 

 

   Stock issued for extinguishment of debt

 

 

16,930

 

17

 

811,782 

 

 

   Stock issued for conversion of debentures

 

 

793,000

 

793

 

8,564,925 

 

 

   Net loss for year ended February 28, 2005

 

 

-

 

-

 

 

(8,939,320)

 

Balance, February 28, 2005

9,800,000 

 

9,800 

 

996,856

 

997

 

20,223,378 

 

(24,279,398)

 

   Purchase of preferred stock from related party

(3,000,000)

 

(3,000)

 

-

 

-

 

(177,000)

 

 

   Preferred stock issued for related party debt extinguishments

3,000,000 

 

3,000 

 

-

 

-

 

87,000 

 

 

   Stock issued for conversion of debentures

 

 

347,671

 

348

 

1,000,763 

 

 

   Net Loss for period ended February 28, 2006

 

 

-

 

-

 

 

(2,272,097)

 

Balance, February 28, 2006

9,800,000 

 

9,800 

 

1,344,527

 

1,345

 

21,134,141 

 

(26,551,495)

 

   S8 Stock issued for services

 

 

4,200

 

4

 

30,496 

 

 

   Stock issued for conversion of debentures

 

 

662,113

 

662

 

19,202,604 

 

 

   Capital contribution from shareholders

 

 

-

 

-

 

750,000 

 

 

   Net loss for year ended February 28, 2007

 

 

-

 

-

 

 

(17,403,965)

 

Balance, February 28, 2007  

9,800,000 

 

9,800 

 

2,010,840

 

2,011

 

41,117,241 

 

(43,955,460)

 

   Stock issued for conversion of debentures

 

 

7,869,887

 

7,870

 

10,135,266 

 

 

   Net loss for period ended February 29, 2008

 

 

-

 

-

 

 

(15,981,571)

 

Balance, February 29, 2008

9,800,000 

 

9,800 

 

9,880,727

 

9,881

 

51,252,507 

 

(59,937,031)

 

   Stock issued for conversion of debentures

 

 

21,262,529

 

21,262

 

424,987 

 

 

   S8 Stock issued for services/accounts payable

 

 

4,680,050

 

4,680

 

89,295 

 

 

   Net loss for year ended February 28, 2009

 

 

-

 

-

 

 

(5,316,462)

 

Balance, February 28, 2009

9,800,000 

 

9,800 

 

35,823,306

 

35,823

 

51,766,789 

 

(65,253,493)

 

   Stock issued for conversion of debentures

 

 

2,836,956,605

 

2,836,957

 

2,174,702 

 

 

   Stock issued for extinguishment of debt

 

 

3,779,064

 

3,779

 

5,593 

 

 

   Stock issued for cash

 

 

34,833,333

 

34,833

 

(18,833)

 

 

   Stock issued for services/accounts payable

 

 

8,800,000

 

8,800

 

119,769 

 

 

   Net loss for the period ended February 28, 2010

 

 

-

 

-

 

 

(5,757,265)

 

Balance, February 28, 2010

9,800,000 

$

9,800 

 

2,920,192,308

$

2,920,192

$

54,048,020 

$

(71,010,758)

 

   Retained Earnings deficit prior to exploration stage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(15,340,078)

 

   Retained Earnings deficit exploration stage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(55,670,680)

 

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




F-5





UNICO, INCORPORATED

(An exploration stage company)

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative

 

 

 

 

 

 

period

 

 

 

 

 

 

from inception

 

 

 

 

 

 

(June 1, 2004) to

 

 

For the Year Ending February 28,

 

February 28,

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Loss

$

(5,757,265)

$

(5,316,462)

$

(55,670,680)

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Loss to Net Cash Used by Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

      Gain on disposal of fixed assets

 

(12,520)

 

 

 

(12,520)

      Gain on settlement of liabilities

 

(18,399)

 

 

 

(18,399)

      Depreciation and accretion expense

 

465,813 

 

300,393 

 

1,406,232 

      Loss on settlement of debt

 

 

 

23,442,317 

      Interest related to convertible debentures

 

2,363,220 

 

2,372,016 

 

16,760,716 

      Loss on sale of assets

 

 

 

5,914 

      Stock issued for services

 

128,569 

 

 

409,069 

      Preferred stock for services

 

 

 

35,710 

Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

      (Increase) Decrease in:

 

 

 

 

 

 

      Reclamation deposit

 

(488)

 

(5,727)

 

7,440 

      Prepaid expense

 

(150)

 

8,000 

 

(20,397)

      Deposit

 

 

 

5,158 

      Accounts receivable

 

(15,109)

 

1,420 

 

(15,109)

      Increase (Decrease) in:

 

 

 

 

 

 

      Accrued expenses

 

915,872 

 

590,945 

 

1,305,406 

      Accounts payable and other liabilities

 

144,865 

 

559,119 

 

2,091,896 

Net Cash Used by Operating Activities

 

(1,785,592)

 

(1,490,296)

 

(10,267,247)

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Purchase of fixed assets- Construction in progress

 

 

(128,230)

 

   Sale of fixed assets

 

 

 

26,200 

   Purchase of fixed assets

 

(20,693)

 

(285,915)

 

(6,752,309)

Net Cash Used by Investing Activities

 

(20,693)

 

(414,145)

 

(6,726,109)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

   (Decrease)/increase in bank overdraft

 

868 

 

(3,142)

 

(12,754)

    Capital contributions from shareholders

 

 

 

818,000 

    Proceeds from notes and stock payables

 

16,000 

 

 

1,116,800 

    Issuance of convertible debentures

 

1,789,000 

 

1,908,000 

 

15,129,454 

    Payments on notes and debentures

 

 

 

(58,144)

Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities

 

1,805,868 

 

1,904,858 

 

16,993,356 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash

 

(417)

 

417 

 

Cash at Beginning of Period

 

417 

 

 

Cash at End of Period

$

$

417 

$

Cash Paid For:

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Interest

$

115,306 

$

21,922 

$

91,010 

     Income Taxes

$

$

$

350 

Non-Cash Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Common stock issued for services

$

26,069 

$

93,975 

$

417,685 

    Preferred stock issued for debt extinguishments

$

$

$

261,550 

    Common Stock issued for debt extinguishments

$

3,732,851 

$

286,268 

$

8,206,794 


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




F-6



UNICO, INCORPORATED

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

February 28, 2010 and February 28, 2009


NOTE 1 – NATURE OF ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES

 

This summary of significant accounting policies of Unico, Incorporated is presented to assist in understanding the Company's consolidated financial statements. The consolidated financial statements and notes are representations of the Company's management who are responsible for their integrity and objectivity. These accounting policies conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and have been consistently applied in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.

 

a.

Organization and Business Activities

 

Unico, Incorporated was formed as an Arizona corporation on May 27, 1966 under the name of Red Rock Mining Co., Incorporated. It was later known as Industries International, Incorporated and I.I. Incorporated before the name was eventually changed to Unico, Incorporated in 1979.


The Company presently has three wholly-owned subsidiaries: Deer Trail Mining Company, LLC, Silver Bell Mining Company, Inc., and Bromide Basin Mining Company, LLC.  The accompanying consolidated financial statements are those of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Deer Trail Mining Company, LLC, Silver Bell Mining Company, Inc. and Bromide Basin Mining Company, LLC.


b.

Accounting Method


The Company's consolidated financial statements are prepared using the accrual method of accounting. The Company has elected a February 28th year-end.   The Company reports the operations of itself and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.


c.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

  

For the purpose of the statement of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. As of February 28, 2010 the company’s cash account was over drawn by $868.  

 

d.

Estimates


The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from the estimates.


e.       Fixed Assets


The Company’s property consists of mining equipment, vehicles, office furniture and computer equipment.  The property is depreciated in a straight-line basis over 3 to 20 years.  Fixed assets are recorded at cost. Major additions and improvement are capitalized. The cost and related accumulated depreciation of equipment retired or sold are removed from the accounts and any differences between the undepreciated amount and the proceeds from the sale are recorded as gain or loss on sale of assets. The depreciation expense for the fiscal years ending February 28, 2010 and February 28, 2009 are $452,555 and $287,136 respectively.






F-7



UNICO, INCORPORATED

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

February 28, 2010 and February 28, 2009


NOTE 1 – NATURE OF ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES - continued




Fixed Asset Schedule

 

 

 

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

Fixed Assets:

 

 

 

 

Furniture & Equipment

$

2,393,260 

$

2,397,566 

Land

 

200,000 

 

200,000 

Buildings

 

1,564,178 

 

1,564,178 

Substation

 

433,986 

 

433,986 

Deer Trail Mining Claim

 

2,360,000 

 

2,360,000 

Deer Trail Patented Claims

 

640,000 

 

640,000 

Autos

 

78,914 

 

68,614 

   Total

 

7,670,338 

 

7,664,344 

Less Depreciation

 

(1,634,586)

 

(1,195,251)

Net Equipment

$

6,035,752 

$

6,469,093 


f.         Construction In Progress


The Company has completed construction work and has capitalized all Construction In Progress.


g.        Exploration Activities


All costs associated with exploration activities will be expensed.  All exploration to date has been expensed.  As reserves are established from future exploration activities only those costs associated with bringing the reserve into production will be capitalized.


h.         Basic Loss Per Share


The computation of basic loss per share of common stock is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period of the financial statements. Fully diluted loss per share is not presented as any common stock equivalents are antidilutive in nature. Common stock equivalents consisting of convertible debt and preferred stock have not been included in the calculation of loss per share.


 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Loss from operations

$

(5,757,265)

 

$

(5,316,462)

Total loss per share

$

(0.01)

 

$

(0.36)

Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding

 

563,321,355 

 

 

14,630,797 


i.        Income Taxes


Deferred taxes are provided on a liability method whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards and deferred tax assets are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Temporary differences are the differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.




F-8



UNICO, INCORPORATED

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

February 28, 2010 and February 28, 2009


NOTE 1 – NATURE OF ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES - continued


Net deferred tax assets consist of the following components as of February 28, 2010 and February 29, 2009:


 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Deferred tax assets:

 

 

 

 

 

     NOL Carryover

$

9,377,400 

$

9,090,000 

 

     Related party accruals

 

1,057,100 

 

317,100 

 

Deferred tax liability:

 

 

 

 

 

     Depreciation

 

(171,300)

 

(223,100)

 

Valuation allowance

 

(10,263,200)

 

(9,184,000)

 

Net deferred tax asset

$

$

 


The income tax provision differs from the amount of income tax determined by applying the U.S. federal income tax rates of 39% to pretax income from continuing operations for the years ended February 28, 2010 and February 28, 2009 due to the following:

 

 

2010

 

2009

Book income

$

(2,240,985)

$

(2,073,400)

Depreciation

 

52,282 

 

(159,390)

Accrued Expense

 

146,528 

 

178,295 

Stock for services/Option Expenses

 

205,277 

 

85,905 

Penalties

 

44,189 

 

Other

 

382 

 

335 

SFAS 84

 

1,117,456 

 

925,090 

Accretion

 

5,170 

 

5,170 

Valuation allowance

 

669,701 

 

1,037,995 

 

$

$


At February 28, 2010, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $24,045,000 that may be offset against future taxable income from the year 2010 through 2030. No tax benefit has been reported in the February 28, 2010 consolidated financial statements since the potential tax benefit is offset by a valuation allowance of the same amount.


Due to the change in ownership provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, net operating loss carryforwards for Federal income tax reporting purposes are subject to annual limitations. Should a change in ownership occur, net operating loss carryforwards may be limited as to use in future years.   


Income Taxes Topic 740 – Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes


On March 1, 2007, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income taxes (Topic 740).  Topic 740 prescribes a comprehensive model of how a company should recognize, measure, present, and disclose in its financial statements uncertain tax positions that the company has taken or expects to take on a tax return. FIN 48 states that a tax benefit from an uncertain position may be recognized if it is "more likely than not" that the position is sustainable, based upon its technical merits. The tax benefit of a qualifying position is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority having full knowledge of all relevant information.





F-9



UNICO, INCORPORATED

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

February 28, 2010 and February 28, 2009


NOTE 1 – NATURE OF ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES - continued


Upon adoption of Topic 740, there was no impact to the Company's consolidated financial statements. The Company estimates that the unrecognized tax benefit will not change significantly within the next twelve months. The Company will continue to classify income tax penalties and interest as part of general and administrative expense in its statements of operations. Accrued interest on uncertain tax positions is not significant. There are no penalties accrued as of February 28, 2010. The following table summarizes the open tax years for each major jurisdiction:


Jurisdiction     Open Tax Years

Federal            2004 – current

California        2004 – current

Utah                2004 – current


As the Company has significant net operating loss carry forwards, even if certain of the Company’s tax positions were disallowed, it is not foreseen that the Company would have to pay any taxes in the near future. Consequently, the Company does not calculate the impact of interest or penalties on amounts that might be disallowed.


j.       Recent Accounting Pronouncements


During the year ended February 28, 2010, the Company adopted the following accounting pronouncements:


In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued ASC 105, Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.  This statement established the Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, and was effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  The adoption of ASC 105 is reflected in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements presented here.


In February 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued ASU 2010-09 Subsequent Events (Topic 855).  ASU 2010-09 establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosures of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before interim financial statements are issued.  ASU 2010-09 is effective for interim financial periods ending after June 15, 2009.  The provisions of ASU 2010-09 have been evaluated by the Company and have been found to have no material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements presented here.


In October 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued ASU 2009-15, Accounting for Own-Share Lending Arrangements in Contemplation of Convertible Debt Issuance or Other Financing (Topic 470).  The provisions of ASU 2009-15 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2009, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  The Company has already adopted this standard and the provisions of ASU 2009-15 are not expected to have an impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements presented here.


k.       Revenue Recognition


The Company will recognize revenues from sales of minerals. Minerals will be milled at the Deer Trail site from mineralized materials that are mined or taken from existing stockpiles of previously removed mineralized materials ore and sent to outside firms for refining into metals. Revenue from all sources will be recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists and the amount is fixed or determinable, delivery has occurred, and collection is reasonably assured. Any amounts received in advance of the minerals being delivered will be recorded as deferred revenue.


l.          Preferred Stock



F-10



UNICO, INCORPORATED

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

February 28, 2010 and February 28, 2009


NOTE 1 – NATURE OF ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES - continued


There are 9,800,000 outstanding shares of preferred stock. The Board of Directors has designated ten million 10,000,000 shares of Series A preferred with the following rights and preferences: The Series A Preferred shall, at the option of the holder, be convertible on a one for one share basis to common stock of the Company. The holders of shares of Series A Preferred are not entitled to vote such shares. In lieu of voting rights the holders of Series A Preferred, voting together as a class, are entitled to elect two members of the Board of Directors at each meeting. Also the Series A Preferred is not affected by any capital reorganization of the Company.


m.            Accounting for Convertible Debentures


The outstanding convertible debentures issued by the Company have a fixed monetary amount known at time of issue and because of this are accounted for based on ASU 2009-15 of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB).  These convertible debentures have a fixed face amount that is payable by cash plus interest on the principle owed, or can be converted into common shares of the Company determined by the discounted rate specified on the debenture itself.  


In accordance with accounting for convertible debt based on ASU 2009-15 the Company records a beneficial conversion cost based on the conversion option of the debenture that equals the value of the specified discount to market available at the time of conversion.   The beneficial conversion cost is recorded as interest expense at the time the convertible security is first issued.   If the debenture is subsequently converted into stock, the liability is reduced and the common stock and additional paid in capital is increased.  A beneficial conversion cost is also recorded for the interest portion of the debenture that equals the value of the specified discount to market available at the time of conversion.  This beneficial cost is recorded as interest expense at the time the convertible security is first issued.   If the debenture is subsequently converted into stock, the accrued interest liability is reduced and the common stock and additional paid in capital is increased.  If the Company pays off the debt instead of converting it to common stock, the debenture liability and accrued interest liability is reduced and a gain on extinguishment of debt is recognized.  


NOTE 2 – RELATED PARTY DEBENTURES


The Company previously issued convertible debentures of $645,132 to Ray Brown, a member of the board of directors until he resigned in December of 2009.  Ray Brown assigned  $114,466 of his outstanding convertible debenture to Joseph Lopez, father of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mark Lopez, as satisfaction on a personal loan in September of 2004. These debentures bear interest at 10% per annum and were due September 2005, and December 25, 2004, respectively. The debentures are convertible into common stock of the Company at a discount of 20% off the closing bid price of the common stock on the date of conversion. The Company has recorded an accrued interest payable of $26,443 for Ray Brown’s debenture and $59,804 for Joseph Lopez’s debenture as of February 28, 2010.  During the year ended February 28, 2010, the Company converted $9,028 of interest and $45,000 of principal due Ray Brown through the issuance of 6,867,507 post-reverse restricted shares of common stock and paid Ray $9,584 in cash for interest due.   The balance due Mr. Brown on his convertible debenture as of February 28, 2010 is $403,956, and the balance due Joseph Lopez is $114,466 as of the same date.


In January of 2008 all of the debentures issued to Compass Capital Corporation, Blue Marble and Reef Holdings totaling $5,179,954 that remained unpaid by Unico were assigned to Moore Investment Holdings.  Moore Investment Holdings is controlled by Joseph Lopez, the father of CEO Mark Lopez. The Company also issued convertible debentures of $500,000 to Moore Investment Holdings during the fiscal year ending February 29, 2008 for a total balance due Moore Investment Holdings of $5,679,954 as of February 29, 2008.  The Company also issued an additional $1,908,000 in convertible debentures in the fiscal year ending February 28, 2009 to Moore Investment Holdings.  And the Company issued an additional $1,789,000 in convertible debentures in the fiscal year ending February 28, 2010 to Moore Investment Holdings. The debentures were issued with terms of 180 days, accrued interest at 8% per annum, and converted at a discount of 50% of the closing bid for the Company’s common stock on the date of conversion.




F-11



UNICO, INCORPORATED

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

February 28, 2010 and February 28, 2009


NOTE 2 – RELATED PARTY DEBENTURES- continued


During the year ended February 28, 2009 the Company converted $62,649 of interest and $18,052 of principal due Moore Investment Holdings through the issuance of 7,800,000 post-reverse shares of common stock.  During the year ended February 28, 2010 the Company converted $59,940 of interest and $415,281 of principal due Moore Investment Holdings through the issuance of 503,240,780 post-reverse shares of common stock. Subsequent to the year ending February 28, 2010 the Company has converted $164,750 of principal and interest due Moore Investment Holdings through the issuance of 1,165,000,000 post-reverse shares of common stock.


During the fiscal year ending February 28, 2009, Moore Investment Holdings assigned $279,500 of its outstanding debentures to others for cash.  Of this amount $167,302 was converted to 10,699,874 shares of common stock of the Company.  During the fiscal year ending February 28, 2010, Moore Investment Holdings assigned $2,319,750 of its outstanding debentures to others for cash.  Of this amount $1,855,865 was converted to 2,325,848,319 shares of common stock of the Company and $112,198 of 2009 assignments was converted to 41,980,390 shares of common stock of the Company.



The summary of outstanding related party debt of $6,788,338 of which $6,106,838 is in default as of February 28 2010 is as follows:


Moore Investment Holdings

$

6,269,916

Ray Brown

403,956

Joseph Lopez

114,466

Total

$

6,788,338


As of February 28, 2010 the Company has a recorded liability for beneficial conversion of $7,313,786 based on the discount to market available at the time of conversion of which $6,684,656 is attributable to related party debentures.


As of February 28, 2010 the Company has accrued $1,323,635 for interest due to related parties in regard to these outstanding debentures.  The Company also has a recorded liability for beneficial conversion for the interest portion of the debentures of $1,346,445 based on the discount to market available at the time of conversion of which $1,309,935 is attributable to related party debentures.


NOTE 3 – CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES


During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2010, the Company issued $1,789,000 of convertible debentures that were used primarily to support subsidiary operations.  The debentures were issued with terms of 180 days, accrued interest at 8% per annum, and converted at a discount of 50% of the closing bid for the Company’s common stock on the date of conversion.    As of February 28, 2010 there is non-affiliated convertible debentures, in the amount of $629,131 and related party debentures of $6,788,338, remaining on the Company’s books.  As of the fiscal year ending February 28, 2010, the Company has a liability balance for recorded beneficial conversion in the amount of $7,313,786 based on the discount to market available at the time of conversion.  The Company also recorded a liability balance for beneficial conversion for the interest portion of the debentures of $1,346,445 based on the discount to market available at the time of conversion.









F-12



UNICO, INCORPORATED

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

February 28, 2010 and February 28, 2009


NOTE 4 –STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY


Common Stock


As of February 28, 2010, the Company had 2,920,192,308 shares of common stock issued and outstanding with 2,079,807,692 shares authorized but unissued.  


During the year ended February 28, 2010 the Company issued 2,875,569,002 shares of free trading common stock in conversion of principal and interest based in the amount of $2,545,596 on the terms of the outstanding debentures; 8% interest per annum and conversion at a discount of 50% of the closing bid for the Company’s common stock on the date of conversion


During the year ended February 28, 2010, the Company also issued 3,800,000 shares of free trading common stock for the payment of services under an S-8 registration in the amount of $18,569.


Stock Options

  

During the year ended February 28, 2007, all stock options expired unexercised.  As of February 28, 2010, there were no stock options outstanding.


Preferred Stock


As of February 28, 2010, the Company had 9,800,000 shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding, all of which

is Series A preferred stock. The Series A Preferred Stock entitle the holder to elect two of the Company’s directors and is convertible into shares of common stock on a 1:1 basis.


Stock Payable


During the year ended February 28, 2007, the Company sold a total of 152,238 post-reverse shares of restricted common stock to a third party for total consideration of $999,000.  As of February 28, 2010, these shares had not been issued, resulting in a stock payable.


NOTE 5 – LEGAL MATTERS   


On August 14, 2008, Unico shareholders Randall Sullivan, Barry Raykoske, and Jack Reilly filed a derivative lawsuit on behalf of Unico against Ray C. Brown, Kenneth C. Wiedrich, Mark A. Lopez, Shane Traveller, Javelin Advisory Group, Inc., and Unico (as a nominal defendant) in the Superior Court of the State of California, San Diego County Central Division (Case No. 37-2008-0008901-CU-PN-CTL).  The plaintiffs alleged that the named defendants breached fiduciary duties owed to Unico, and were negligent in the approval of certain financing transactions entered into on behalf of Unico.  The parties reached a settlement which was approved by the court, pursuant to which Unico’s insurance company paid $448,828 for attorney’s fees to Plaintiff’s counsel and $28,672 for reimbursement of expenses.  An incentive award of $7,500 was paid to each of the named plaintiffs.  Unico agreed to certain restrictions and limitations affecting Unico’s governance procedures, its ability to enter into financing transactions with certain persons, and restricting Unico from issuing its stock pursuant to Section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with settling debt arising from Unico financing activities.  A press release more fully describing the terms of the settlement has been published on Unico’s website at www.unicomining.com.  The court has approved the settlement and this litigation has concluded.




F-13



UNICO, INCORPORATED

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

February 28, 2010 and February 28, 2009


NOTE 5 – LEGAL MATTERS   -continued


On September 30, 2008, a lawsuit was filed by Cache Valley Electric Company against Unico, Incorporated in the Third Judicial District Court for Salt Lake County, State of Utah (Case No. 080921346) in which the plaintiff alleges that it provided goods and services to Unico in the amount of $191,615, for which it has not received payment.  The plaintiff  alleges that Unico breached the contract by failing to pay for the goods and services, and is seeking a money judgment against Unico in the amount of $191,615 together with interest thereon at the statutory rate and court costs.  On March 2, 2009, a Default Judgment was entered against Unico in the amount of $216,291.  Unico subsequently entered into the Unico Incorporated Settlement Agreement, dated March 27, 2009 (“Settlement Agreement”).  The Settlement Agreement provides that Unico is to pay Cache Valley Electric Company $216,291 as follows: Unico is to make six monthly payments in the amount of $6,000 per month beginning April 25, 2009; six monthly payments of $10,000 per month beginning October 25, 2009; seven monthly payments of $15,000 per month; and a final monthly payment of $15,291.  The Settlement Agreement further provides that if the payments are made as set forth above, no further action will be taken against Unico.  If the payments are not received within a ten-day grace period following the respective due dates, the entire unpaid balance less any payments made will become due and payable immediately, and no rights as to the recovery of that amount, including  all legal fees, court costs, and interest due will have been waived by virtue of the Settlement Agreement.  The Settlement Agreement further provides that when the settlement amount is fully funded, Cache Valley Electric Company is to execute and file a Release of Judgment for the full amount of the claim.  Finally, the Settlement Agreement provides that if a Lien against Unico has been filed, Cache Valley Electric Company is to file a Release of Lien with the clerk of the Third Judicial District Court for Salt Lake County immediately upon receipt of the final payment.  Unico made payments under the settlement through November 2009, and is currently behind in its payment obligations under the settlement.


On or about January 5, 2009, a lawsuit was filed by Atlas Mining Company, an Idaho corporation, dba Atlas Fausett Contracting against Deer Trail Mining Company, LLC in the Sixth Judicial District Court for Piute County, State of Utah (Case No. 0090600001) in which the plaintiff alleged that it provided certain mine rehabilitation services and materials with respect to the Deer Trail Mine pursuant to a written contract for which it has not been paid.  The plaintiff alleged that Deer Trail Mining Company, LLC breached the contract by failing to pay for the services and materials, and sought a money judgment against Deer Trail Mining Company, LLC for at least $182,144 plus interest at 18% per annum, plus costs.  Plaintiff also sought a court order adjudging a mining lien filed by the plaintiff against the Deer Trail Mine on or about July 9, 2008 to be a good and sufficient lien on the Deer Trail Mine securing payment of the obligations under its contract with Deer Trail Mining Company, LLC, and ordering that the Deer Trail Mine be foreclosed and sold by the sheriff of Piute County, with the sales proceeds being applied against the amount due and owing to plaintiff from the Deer Trail Mining Company, LLC and to the foreclosure costs.  Deer Trail Mining Company, LLC filed an Answer denying liability. The parties reached a settlement of the lawsuit on November 6, 2009, and the plaintiff has since been paid in full.  This litigation has been dismissed.




F-14



UNICO, INCORPORATED

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

February 28, 2010 and February 28, 2009


NOTE 6 – GOING CONCERN


The Company’s financial statements are prepared using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America applicable to a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and liquidation of liabilities in the normal course of business.  The Company has incurred losses of $71,010,758 from its inception through February 28, 2010.   It has not established any revenues with which to cover its operating costs and to allow it to continue as a going concern.   


During the next 12 months, the Company’s plan of operation is to raise approximately $8,380,000 for investment into two of its subsidiary companies: Deer Trail Mining Company and Silver Bell Mining Company. The funds are intended for the following purposes during the next twelve months:


·

Development, exploration and operating activities to recommence production at upper Deer Trail Mine;

·

Installation of processing circuit, including tailings ponds, permits and upgrades to the primary circuit;

·

Research and testing to obtain 43-101 technical report;

·

Underground rehabilitation of the lower Deer Trail Mine 8600 area, including upgrades to electrical and mine drifting to support exploration;

·

Initial exploration program for the lower Deer Trail Mine 8600 area;

·

Additional exploration of the lower Deer Trail Mine 3400, 4400 and 6600 areas;

·

Research and testing on the Mississippian Redwall Limestone area;

·

Research on the Deer Trail Mine Porphyry..


Accomplishing the 12-month plan of operations is dependent on: (a) the Company raising approximately $8,380,000 in equity and/or debt.  Subsequent to the fiscal year ending February 28, 2010, the Company received $201,500 through the issuance of new convertible debentures to Moore Investment Holdings, LLC.  The new debentures were issued with terms of 180 days, bear interest at the rate of 8% per annum, and are convertible by the holder into shares of the Company’s common stock at a discount of 50% of the closing bid price on the date of conversion.  The Company intends to raise approximately an additional $8,178,500 during the fiscal year ending February 28, 2011 to fulfill the 12-month plan.


NOTE 7 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS


Subsequent to the fiscal year ending February 28, 2010, the Company received $201,500 through the issuance of new convertible debentures to Moore Investment Holdings.  The new debentures were issued with terms of 180 days, bear interest at the rate of 8% per annum, and are convertible by the holder into shares of the Company’s common stock at a discount of 50% of the closing bid price on the date of conversion.


Subsequent to the end of the fiscal year ending February 28, 2010, the Company has issued 1,165,000,000 shares of free trading common stock to Moore Investment Holdings for the conversion of $164,750 of principal and interest on outstanding debentures.


Subsequent to the fiscal year ending February 28, 2010 the Company issued 773,081,667 shares of free trading common stock to third parties for the conversion of $102,283 of principal and interest on outstanding debentures.


On May 22, 2010 the board approved the issuance of common stock options to independent Board members to purchase the Company’s common stock in such amounts as determined by the Board of Directors.  Under the annual

option grant portion of the plan, the Board of Directors approved the granting of 535,000,000 options to the independent members of the Board of Directors on May 22, 2010 which are exercisable at the exercise price of $0.0003 per share (the closing bid price on the day before the options were granted):





F-15